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The DIY Sinus Relief Body Balm is a natural, easy-to-make remedy designed to help clear your airways, made from a soothing blend of essential oils, carrier oils and beeswax.
If you’re tired of dealing with stubborn sinuses, I’ve got something that might just make your day. My DIY Sinus Relief Body Balm is packed full of natural ingredients, all working together to keep those sinuses clear.
The beauty of this DIY is how quick and easy it is to make. But what I absolutely love about this Sinus Relief Body Balm is how it showcases the power of natural, homemade remedies. Essential oils pack a punch, and this recipe brings out the best of them.
The revitalizing scent of rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils is well-known to open the sinuses, and the calming tones of lavender and lemon essential oils can help the body relax. Mix them with moisturizing beeswax, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil, and you’ve got a two-in-one remedy: a sinus relief superstar and a skin-soothing balm all rolled into one.
- Supplies
- Tools
- By the Numbers: How to Make a Sinus Relief Body Balm
- Tips for Making Your Own Sinus Relief Body Balm
- What to do if the balm solidifies too quickly
- Can dried herbs be substituted for essential oils?
- Why use a balm vs diluted essential oils
- How much does this recipe make?
- Can different essential oils be used?
- Substitutes for carrier oils
- Is this recipe safe for kids?
- Are metal, glass or plastic containers better?
- How to use your natural sinus relief body balm
- Storage and shelf life
- Learn more about using essential oils in homemade beauty products
- More balm and salve recipes
- DIY Sinus Relief Body Balm
- More Homemade Balms and Salves
Supplies
- 1 tablespoon of beeswax pastilles
- 4 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil
Tools
- Measuring spoons
- Double Boiler
- 3 one-ounce balm containers with lids
- Labels and marker if desired
By the Numbers: How to Make a Sinus Relief Body Balm
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make your own sinus relief body balm with natural ingredients.
Step 1: Melt Oil and Wax in Double Boiler
To start, fill the bottom half of your double boiler’s pot to about one-half full, and place over medium-high heat. Once the water is heated, add 1 tablespoon beeswax pastilles, 4 tablespoons coconut oil and 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil to the top half of the double boiler. Stir it occasionally to be sure the beeswax is breaking up. Once these three ingredients are all blended and melted nicely, and there are no lumps or chunks left, you can go ahead and turn off the heat.
Step 2: Add Essential Oils
Add in 30 drops of rosemary essential oil, 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 15 drops of lemon essential oil and 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Carefully count each drop as you add them since some of these are runnier oils and they can run pour quickly into that pot!
Step 3: Pour Liquid Balm Into Containers
Mix well and then you are all ready to pour the mixture into your balm containers. Pour the mixture slowly and leave just a bit of room at the top of each container.
Step 4: Cool Then Use Sinus Balm
Allow the balm containers to cool at room temperature away from sunlight for close to an hour. Once they are completely cooled, place the lids on. Feel the bottom center of the container to see if it has cooled and if it is, you’re good to go. Now you can use your body balm.
Tips for Making Your Own Sinus Relief Body Balm
Answers to all of your questions about making this DIY sinus relief body balm, including tips and substitution ideas.
What to do if the balm solidifies too quickly
If your balm starts to solidify before you’ve finished pouring it into the containers, simply reheat it gently over low heat until it liquefies again.
Can dried herbs be substituted for essential oils?
If you want to use dried herbs in your salves rather than essential oils, they take more time and work. They also require a lot more product as well since dried herbs aren’t as concentrated as oils. They cost more per dose and give much less potency than an essential oil does.
Using essential oils is cost-effective. You get much more bang for your buck since a 15 mL bottle of essential oil gives you 250 drops, plus it saves you time, energy and effort.
However, if you want to learn to make a balm or salve using dried herbs, check out my Calendula Lavender Skin Salve recipe.
Why use a balm vs diluted essential oils
Balms and salves work more effectively than just the oils by themselves because the wax helps it stay there for a much longer time. So it works great over a longer period of time.
How much does this recipe make?
This natural sinus relief body balm recipe makes about 3 one-ounce containers or 6 half-ounce containers, so it depends totally on the size of container you’re using.
Can different essential oils be used?
Yes, you can customize the balm with other essential oils, but ensure you’re aware of their properties and effects. Keep in mind that substitutes may alter the original intent of the recipe. Here are a few possible substitutes:
- Rosemary Essential Oil: This oil is known for its stimulating properties that can help clear the sinuses. If you need to substitute it, consider oils like peppermint or tea tree essential oil, which have similar effects.
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Known for its strong, penetrating aroma that aids in clear breathing, a good substitute could be peppermint or tea tree essential oil.
- Lemon Essential Oil: This oil has a refreshing and purifying aroma. Other citrus oils, such as sweet orange or grapefruit essential oil, could serve as substitutes.
- Lavender Essential Oil: Famous for its calming properties, substitutes could include chamomile or clary sage essential oil.
If you want to know where I get all of my essential oils, read my Rocky Mountain Essential Oils review.
Substitutes for carrier oils
If you can’t use coconut oil or almond oil for any reason, you can substitute your favorite carrier oil. If you don’t have a favorite yet, read my post on the Best Carrier Oils for Essential Oils.
Is this recipe safe for kids?
As written, the ratio of essential oils is too high too use on children. You can learn more about safe essential oil dilution ratio in my post on diluting essential oils with carrier oils.
Are metal, glass or plastic containers better?
I often make this recipe in metal tins. However, you can find smaller containers online made from glass or plastic as well, but plastic is not recommended with the use of citrus essential oils as it can literally break down the plastic and then it will be in the balm itself.
Some people still choose to go with plastic though. If you do, make sure you use it quickly and keep it out of the sunlight.
I put together an entire guide to Containers for Homemade Beauty Products if you want to learn more.
How to use your natural sinus relief body balm
Place a small pea-sized amount on your fingers and rub it onto the chest, neck or dot under the nose for natural sinus relief.
The balm can also be put on the temples or the back of the neck if you are having stuffiness in the head. Be sure to rub the salve in well and wash your hands well before touching your eyes.
Storage and shelf life
Store your balm in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain its potency and extend its shelf life. Depending on storage conditions, the balm can typically last up to a year.
Learn more about using essential oils in homemade beauty products
There’s so much to learn about this topic, so I created a free email guide to using essential oils in your homemade beauty products. Just add your name and email address to this form and it will be delivered to your inbox.
More balm and salve recipes
- DIY Antihistamine Balm
- DIY Headache Balm
- DIY Sore Muscle Rub
- DIY Tattoo Balm
- DIY Matcha Green Tea Salve
DIY Sinus Relief Body Balm
Supplies
- 1 tablespoon beeswax pastilles
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil - or jojoba oil
- 30 drops rosemary essential oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
Tools
- Measuring spoons
- Double Boiler
- 3 1-ounce balm containers with lids
- Labels and marker if desired
Instructions
- Fill the bottom half of your double boiler’s pot to around half full, and place over medium-high heat. Add your beeswax, coconut oil and almond oil to the top half of the double boiler. Stir occasionally, and once melted and clear, turn off the heat.
- Carefully add all the essential oils and stir to combine.
- Slowly pour the liquid mixture into the containers, leaving just a bit of room at the top of each container.
- Cool at room temperature and away from sunlight for close to an hour. Once completely cooled, place the lids on. Your sinus balm is ready to use.
Is the lavender oil necessary?
No, it can be omitted. You should never use ingredients that you’re sensitive to.
Hi, was wondering if you can use fresh or dried herbs instead of the essential oil?
Hi Crystal, if you want to use herbs instead of essential oils, you’ll need to infuse the oils with the herbs first. If you haven’t done that before, you can learn how in my tutorial for making a Calendula Lavender Skin Salve.
Hi there , I made these balms exactly as per Instruction but once dried , they’re very hard to spread. Should this be the case?
Hi Rose, great question. Sometimes there is a bit of variation in consistency of ingredients. If they’re too firm, you can melt them back down and add more carrier oil. Next time, try using a smaller amount of beeswax and it’ll be softer.
Can I substitute the carrier oil? I do not have any almond oil but I have avocado oil. Without spending any money, I can make this balm with what I have on hand if I can switch these out?
Hi Stephanie, yes you can substitute avocado oil for almond oil. Good luck!
Hello my mother is allergic to coconut, is there an alternative I could use?
Hi Ariol, yes, you can substitute any carrier oil for coconut. Read my Carrier Oil Guide if you need help choosing one.
Hi Chrystal, I love this idea and would like to try this recipe. In regards to replacements, is there a vegan option that can be used in lieu of the beeswax? Thanks so much for the great post.
Hi DD, Carnauba wax is a vegan wax substitute that’s about 20% firmer than beeswax, so you’d decrease the amount you add by 20%. I hope that helps!