This menthol balm makes a lovely holiday gift, as it’s helpful to have on hand during the winter months. It helps to soothe coughs and congestion, and can be massaged into aching muscles and joints.
Pine and eucalyptus boost the benefits of this cooling salve. Pine has antiviral properties and is used for respiratory infections (Yarnell 35-43). It also has anti-inflammatory effects and may be helpful for easing muscle pain and arthritis. Studies have demonstrated that eucalyptus is helpful for easing the symptoms of upper respiratory infections, including cough and congestion, (Soleimani et al. 566–575) and may have pain relieving effects (Jun et al. 1-7).
Ingredients:
1 C sunflower oil infused with pine needle & eucalyptus leaf
0.9 oz beeswax
1.2 oz cacao butter
1 ½ tsp menthol crystals
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Makes eight 1 fl. oz jars
Supplies:
Heat proof glass jar or measuring cup
Double boiler
Crockpot (optional)
Cheesecloth
Kitchen scale
Eight 1 fl. oz glass jars or tins
Directions:
To make the pine and eucalyptus infused oil:
- Fill a dry, heat proof jar or glass measuring cup about half full with herbs and pour the oils over them, making sure the herbs are fully submerged and covered with at least an inch or so of oil.
- Gently heat the herbs over very low heat (ideally 100°- 140° F) for 1 to 5 hours in a double boiler or crockpot. The oil has finished infusing when the color and smell of the herbs has been imparted. At this point, turn off the heat and let the oil cool.
- Strain the oil through a cheesecloth and set it aside.
To make the menthol balm:
- Combine the infused oil, beeswax, and cacao butter in a double boiler. Heat gently until completely melted, stirring every so often.
- Remove the mixture from heat and add the menthol crystals and essential oil. Stir to combine, until the crystals have completely dissolved.
- Pour the salve into small glass jars or tins and then let cool.
To Use: rub onto the chest, neck, and under nose, or massage onto achy muscles and joints. Do not use on sensitive, broken, or irritated skin or directly on the mucous membranes.
REFERENCES
Jun, Yang Suk, et al. “Effect of Eucalyptus Oil Inhalation on Pain and Inflammatory Responses after Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, 2013, pp. 1–7., https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/502727.
Soleimani, Ghulamreza, et al. “Effectiveness of the Eucalyptus Inhalation on the Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of 5-15 Years Old Children.” Quarterly of Horizon of Medical Sciences, vol. 27, no. 4, 2021, pp. 566–575., https://doi.org/10.32598/hms.27.4.3436.1.
Yarnell, Eric. “Herbs for Viral Respiratory Infections.” Alternative and Complementary Therapies, vol. 24, no. 1, 2018, pp. 35–43., https://doi.org/10.1089/act.2017.29150.eya.
