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Breathe Easy This Winter: Essential Oils to the Rescue (+ a DIY Vapour Rub Recipe)

As winter wraps its chilly fingers around us, it’s not just the drop in temperature we need to brace for. Sniffles, dry skin, chest tightness, and sluggish moods often come knocking. But don’t worry — nature has your back!

At Holistic Emporium, we believe in turning to the healing power of essential oils to bring comfort, clarity, and calm to winter woes. In this post, we’ll explore the best essential oils for common winter challenges and show you how to make your own all-natural vapour rub — perfect for colds, congestion, and those frosty nights.


Top Winter Pain Points (and the Oils That Help)

1. Blocked Noses & Congestion

That heavy, stuffy feeling is all too common in the colder months.

Best oils:

  • Eucalyptus Smithii – gentle yet powerful for clearing sinuses.
  • Peppermint – cooling, decongesting, and energising.
  • Tea Tree – antimicrobial and great for fighting germs.
  • Lavender – calming and soothing to irritated airways.

Tip: Add 3-4 drops to a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale deeply.


2. Dry, Cracked Skin

Cold winds and indoor heaters zap moisture from our skin.

Best oils:

  • Frankincense – promotes healing and reduces inflammation.
  • Rose Geranium – balances and hydrates skin.
  • Sandalwood – deeply nourishing and calming for dry patches.
  • Lemon (in low %) – brightens and softens dull winter skin.

Tip: Add a few drops to a carrier oil like avocado, rosehip, or jojoba and massage into skin after a warm shower.


3. Winter Blues

Less sunshine often means lower moods and sluggish energy.

Best oils:

Tip: Add a few drops to a diffuser to lift your space and spirit.


🧴 DIY Winter Vapour Rub (All-Natural & Kid-Friendly)

This homemade vapour rub is a must-have in your winter wellness kit. It helps open the airways, soothe coughs, and ease tight chests — without synthetic chemicals.

✨ You’ll Need:

Optional: For young children, reduce essential oil quantities by half or leave out peppermint completely.

👩‍🔬 How to Make It:

  1. In a double boiler, melt the shea butter and beeswax together.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly (but not harden).
  3. Add the essential oils and stir well.
  4. Pour into a small clean jar or tin.
  5. Let it set fully at room temperature.

🌿 How to Use:

Rub a small amount on the chest, back, and soles of the feet. Breathe in deeply and feel the comfort settle in.


☕ Winter Wellness Bonus Tips:

  • Stay hydrated — herbal teas with lemon and ginger are wonderful.
  • Keep a diffuser running with antiviral oils like Tea Tree and Eucalyptus.
  • Add a few drops of Lavender or Frankincense to your bath for ultimate relaxation.
  • Make a winter foot soak with Peppermint and Epsom salts to revive tired feet.

Winter doesn’t have to mean suffering through stuffy noses and dry skin. With a few natural tools in your wellness kit, you can stay warm, well, and wonderfully refreshed all season long.

Find everything you need to create your winter essential oil blends at Holistic Emporium — your go-to for pure, therapeutic-grade ingredients.