In the hustle and bustle of life, you may find yourself struggling to remember to take all your immune boosting teas, tinctures, and tonics. I know I do sometimes. Boosting one’s immune system is practically a full-time job, especially with the increase in nasty viruses year after year. And if you aren’t a trained herbalist, crafting home remedies can be pretty daunting.
What if I told you that I had an easy solution to your immune boosting needs?
Yes, there is a little bit of work on the front end but the end result is super easy to use and will give your immune system a little extra fighting power. Is it a complete replacement for the right blend of herbs? No. But if you use it in conjunction with other natural immune boosting remedies or my tasty immune boosting soup, it may really kick things into high gear. And if this is ALL you can do for your immune system… Well, it’s certainly better than not doing anything at all.
So what IS this immune boosting secret of mine? Wait for it…. In 3, 2, 1…
Immune Boosting Lotion
I know, brilliant right? Chances are you are already using lotion daily so why not enhance it with immune boosting essential oils?
The title might be a little deceiving. You see, this is more like a salve lotion but since no one has ever heard of that, I am just calling it lotion. It is basically a cross between a really hard salve and a really spreadable lotion. It’s my own hybrid concoction and I love it!
Disclaimer time! I am not a medical professional nor do I play one on this site. Please do not take anything here as bonafide medical advice. Please do further research and talk to your trusted medical adviser.
This immune boosting lotion is super nourishing and can be used daily on pretty much all body parts. I would however, steer clear of “intimate areas” as well as sensitive facial tissue. Some of the essential oils might warm things up too much. But hey – who am I to tell you what to do. 😉 But seriously. This lotion will burn the lady bits and make your eyes sting. (I assume it would burn man bits too but seeing that I only have lady bits, I can’t say for certain.)
Ok – let’s hop to the recipe.
Immune Boosting Lotion Recipe
Immune Boosting Lotion
This immune boosting salve lotion is a great compliment to your herbal immune boosting regime. Easy to make and works great!
Materials
- 1/2 cup sweet almond oil - you could use olive oil but I just don’t like how olive oil smells when used with this specific blend of essential oils. Side note - I recently ordered this brand of sweet almond oil and am in love.
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 2 tablespoons shea butter (I typically purchase this combo pack. Great product and a great price.)
- 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- Clove essential oil
- Cinnamon essential oil
- Patchouli essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil
Tools
- Grab a mason jar or a glass measuring jar. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate all the ingredients!
Instructions
- Fill a medium sized pot/saucepan about 1/4 of the way full with water and over high heat, bring it just to where the water is sending those little bubbles to the top.
- Turn the heat to medium/low.
- Put a lid/cover on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water. You put the lid on so no water splashes in.
- Remove the lid and gently stir the ingredients as they melt.
- When all of the ingredients are melted, place the lid back on the jar and remove the jar from the water.
- Turn off the burner.
- Allow the lotion to cool slightly. 10 minutes is usually enough.
- Add in the essential oils (total of 30 drops), stirring with a non-wooden spoon.
- Spoon your lotion into its permanent home be it another small jar or a tin of some sort. Do not use a lotion pump. It will not work.
- Use daily.
Curious about my choice of essential oils in this immune boosting lotion? Essential oils like clove, cinnamon, and patchouli are known to be highly anti-viral and anti-bacterial, offering a topical way to bolster yourself against the cold and flu. Lemon essential oil can help boost the body’s natural defenses while eucalyptus purifies and supports the respiratory system. See – a wonderful combination of immune boosting oils!
What essential oils do I use and love? Several brands actually.
- My hands down favorite brand is Rocky Mountain Oils (also known as Native American Nutritionals). These are seriously the BEST brand I have ever used. They are strong. And I mean strong. I have seen some amazing things happen when using this brand.
- I am really enjoying Plant Therapy essential oils as well. They are easy on the budget as well as being a high quality oil.
Enjoy this immune boosting lotion within 6 months. While the vitamin E does act as a preservative, these kinds of products won’t last forever. But why make it to just stare at right?
Did I mention this immune boosting lotion makes a great gift? Why yes, yes it does. So make a huge batch, put it in some cute little jars that your wee ones decorated, and wow your family and friends.
Tamara says
How many drops of each oil do you use in this recipe? Thanks!
Jennifer says
Good catch! I edited the directions to clarify but you need 30 drops total. I use 6 drops of each oil. Sorry about that. I shouldn’t blog with a kid wrapped around my ankles. 🙂
heather says
thanks for this! My family spent all last winter being sick, so this could really help reduce that! I am going to be whipping up a batch of this this weekend!
Leslie says
Thanks for the recipe – can’t wait to make. How often should this be used and where do you apply it, ie behind ears, chest ??
Jennifer says
Hi Leslie! Apply it wherever you would like. I always put it on my chest! And you can use it several times per day. Really, just use it like you would normally use lotion. Enjoy!
Vini says
Hello mama,
I love all your posts!
A gentle suggestion, it would help if you could add the scientific names of your EOs used, especially because Cinnamon, Eucalyptus have many varieties (species, and if you are referring to leaf, bark or bud depending on the oil), this will prevent any novice using wrong similar spelling/sounding oils which can be dangerous sometimes.
Thanks!
Becky says
I can not wait to make this and alot of the other things on your site. Need to check my oil supplies and see if I have everything. So happy I found you. My daughter sent me the link for your vaporizing disks because I miss the ones I use to buy. Off to read more of your site. Thank You.
Anna@Green Talk says
Love this lotion. I can smell the eucalyptus!
Christina@TheHippyHomemaker says
I love making anti-germ salves! They works so great for congestion while their at it too!
Amy Lilly says
Thanks for the recipe!
Kelly Bisciotti says
I can practically smell the delicious just from the recipe! Can’t wait to try it. Do you think I could leave out the Vitamin E? For some reason my skin is really sensitive to it and I always end up breaking out or getting a rash.
Jennifer says
Hi Kelly! Yes, you can leave out the Vitamin E. It is more of a preservative if anything. So no biggie of you don’t add it in.
Valerie says
Wonderful post! I love using Essential Oils and aromatherapy in my vaporizer, and I’ve seen such a positive difference in my overall health and relaxation. I can’t wait to use my Essential Oils in this lotion too. Thanks for sharing!
Allison says
Is this safe to use during pregnancy?? In my third trimester and entering cold and flu season. Any extra boost in immunity would be a blessing!
Jennifer says
Yes!!! Totally safe!
Serena says
What can I use in place of the coconut oil, I am intolerant to coconuts?
Thank you
Jennifer says
Hi Serena! You can use more sweet almond oil if you would like. Olive oil is ok as well but I personally don’t think it jives with the scent of the essential oils. If you can get your hands on some shea oil, that would work perfectly. This is a great brand! http://amzn.to/2l9zl3d You may need to add a wee bit more beeswax but just play around with it and see if you like the consistency. It should be fine as is.