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Pine Vapor Balm 2022

This particular vapor balm has ponderosa pine resin in it.  The resin was collected in the high mountains or near central Oregon.  It was harvested in a way that does not hurt the tree. 

I highly respect this beautiful tree, just as I do all plants and tree life.   

If you plan to go out and harvest tree resin, such as the ponderosa pine, I ask that you respect the tree by making sure you do not take all the resin nor leave it bare underneath...  

Give thanks and an offering to the tree.  

What You Will Need:

1 quart jar

Corning ware pan

Towel

Oil of choice:  Such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil

4 tablespoons eucalyptus leaf

2 tablespoons thyme leaf

2 tablespoons peppermint leaf

Several Big chucks of pine resin.  About 7, 1 x 2 inch pieces. 

Clean containers to store your salve, such as tins or jars. 

Now it is time to infuse the herbs and pine resin in the oil.

Put the herbs and resin in the jar.  Now add just enough oil to cover it. 

Put the towel in the corning ware pan.  This keeps the jar from breaking.  It is my version (for this day) of a double boiler.  

Now add just enough water that when you put the jar in the pan  the water will not overflow.  

Infuse all day on low heat.  

Turn off and let sit over night

Next day turn it on and infuse for a few more hours.  Now it is ready to strain. 

To strain you will need a strainer and a cheesecloth.   Because you are using dried herbs and resin it is ok to squeeze it and get ever bit of oil that you can out of it.  

Now it is ready to make the balm, which is basically a salve.   

1/4 cup beeswax per 1 cup of infused oil.

I ended up adding about 1/3 cup beeswax to 1 1/2 cups infused oil.

When making salves., balms or ointments you want to add little bits of beeswax at a time.  Better to add little bits at a time then to much.  Test it as you go.  

I tested it by dropping a few drops of the oil with the beeswax on a spoon and I wait for it to cool off.  Then test it to see if you like the consistency.

1 1/2 cups infused oil

1/3 cup beeswax 

Now add: 

28 drops of orange essential oil

28 drops of pine essential oil

28 drops of eucalyptus

Now pour into containers of choice.  Cover but do not move until it has hardened.  

To Use: 

Rub on the tip of your noses and upper lip

Rub on chest

Have someone rub on your back

Put on your feet then put on a sock

Enjoy

VAPOR RUB

INFUSE OIL

1/3 CUP LOBELIA (at risk plant UPS)—Excellent for spastic “dry” coughing and wheezing.  Superb expectorant (expectorants help expel or expect excess mucus from the system)  Best remedy for asthma bronchitis.  Antispasmodic, meaning relaxes the chest and opens constricted bronchial passages, Stimulates the respiratory center in the brain, producing deeper and stronger breathing. 

1/3 CUP MULLEIN  Helps with respiratory infections 

1/3 CUP HOPS  Relaxes the nervous system

1 Tbl.  ROSEMARY Antiseptic (help prevent the growth of bacteria), helps open nasal passageways

1 TBL. PEPPERMINT Helps to open nasal passages

Oil of choice

Solar-Infused oil

Place the herbs and the oil in a glass jar.  Cover tightly.  Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot and let steep for 2 to 4 weeks.   Strain the oil through cheesecloth or muslin.   Squeeze every last drop.  

Double Boiler Method

Place the herbs and the oil in a double boiler and bring to a low simmer.  Slowly heat for 30 to 60 minutes, checking frequently to be sure the oil IS NOT OVERHEATING.  The lower the heat the longer the infusion the better.   I do cycles, low heat on, then off and repeat several times.

Make Vapor Rub

1 cup of infused oil

1/4 cup bees wax

15 drops Rosemary EO

15 drops Eucalyptus EO

25 drops Camphor EO

10 drops Orange EO  

15 drops Clove EO

8 drops Peppermint EO

Other Combinations:

20 drops eucalyptus, 10 drops rosemary, 10drops lavender, 10 drops tea tree, 10 drops lemon

20 drops each rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus

20 drops each rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus

20 drops eucalyptus, 20 drops peppermint, 10 drops basil and 10 drop pine needle

5 drops each lavender, rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus

Essential Oils For Congestion: 

Eucalyptus – Potent antiseptic, antiviral, and decongestant.

Tea Tree – An effective antimicrobial, expectorant and antiseptic. Peppermint – Helps to open nasal passages.

Basil – Helps open nasal passages. Antiseptic.

Rosemary – Antiseptic, helps open nasal passageways. 

Pine- Great for colds and sinusitis. Has decongestant and antimicrobial qualities.

Lavender – Antihistamine, antiseptic and antimicrobial.

Clove – cooling expectorant

Marjoram – Antimicrobial. Helps with breathing.

Chamomile – Relieves congestion and helps calm cranky patients.

Lemon – Stimulates immune function, but take care if using in sunlight because it increases sensitivity

Sweet Orange – Helps with detoxification , helps with nerviness, anxiety, sedative, antispasmodic

Camphor—antispasmodic