Notes from the Tulip House

DIY Vapo-Rub

An all natural cough remedy!

Homemade Vapo Rub

So, as stated in my last post, we’ve all been sick recently.  And, while we’re feeling much better, we all have a lingering cough.  Especially Little Bug and especially at night.  He’s been waking up a dozen or so times a night coughing.  A couple of days ago I decided to search the internet for some natural cough remedies.  I found a website with some interesting massage techniques for alleviating cough, but Little Bug is very ticklish and won’t really sit still long enough for me to attempt massage.  Then I found This, an all natural salve that I could make and apply right before bed.  I was able to find all my ingredients at Whole Foods, so I only had to make a quick trip to the store and I was able to make the rub and use it the same day.  This salve is super easy to make but I must warn you, it contains essential oils and those can be costly.

The first night I used it Little Bug woke up only once, coughed twice, and then went right back to sleep.  The second night I used it, he slept through the night with No coughing!

Homemade Vapo Rub Ingredients

Here’s the recipe:

  • 5 tbsp.extra virgin coconut oil (a natural anti-viral)
  • 1 tbsp. evening primrose oil (or any carrier oil, such as, Sweet Almond, Olive, Jojoba)
  • 2 tbsp.beeswax (you can buy pellets online, Etsy, Amazon)
  • 8 – 10 drops tea tree essential oil (also a natural anti-viral)
  • 15 – 20 drops rosemary essential oil (aids breathing)

In a small pan, melt the coconut oil and evening primrose oil.  Add the beeswax, chopped up (or in granules) and stir until melted.  Add the essential oils and stir to combine.  Pour into a 4-oz. glass jar and allow to cool.

Apply to feet and cover with socks.

Homemade Vapo Rub Vapo Salve

I’m not terribly knowledgeable on Reflexology or Aromatherapy, but I guess we have an artery on the bottom of our feet that goes straight to the heart.  Putting the salve on the feet allows it to be absorbed quickly into the blood stream and gives it access to the heart and lungs to work it’s magic.

(Apparently some folks have adverse reactions to Tea Tree Oil so best to test with a tiny amount of oil prior to making the salve.)

Beeswax

Beeswax can be tricky to find in the store.  I didn’t want to run all over town searching for beeswax pellets.  I knew that I had seen pure beeswax candles at Whole Foods so I figured I could buy a small candle and cut it up.  When I got to the store I found that in addition to the candles they also sold little cakes of beeswax, so I got one of those.

Also, unless you have other plans for the essential oils, buy the smallest ones they sell.  You need a very small amount for this recipe and 4 oz of salve will likely last 6 months to a year, depending on the size of your family.

(I got the cute little blue jar at Whole Foods too.  Was going to use a small jelly jar but then I saw that one and it was exactly 4 oz so I grabbed it.)

 

 

 

A Tiresome Week

Warning, I’m going to talk about poop!

Dirty Snowman

I thought we might make it through this ridiculously cold and long winter with no one in The Tulip House getting sick, but alas, this week both Little Bug and I came down with a case of the cooties and now they’ve moved on to The Mister.  And while I’m feeling much better now, I’m still exhausted because my cold was followed by another bout of Little Bug’s constipation/refusal to poop.  I expect most folks don’t want to hear about toddler poop, but I can’t tell you how unpleasant it is when your child refuses to go #2….for days.  The past three days have been spent waiting for a certain someone to go to the bathroom and listening to a lot of crying.  Three days may not seem like a long time but it is for this little boy who up until recently, has gone atleast once a day, everyday, for the past 2 years. Hoping the drought ends today as my sanity is being tested!

So, needless to say, I have worked on jewelry a total of ZERO hours this week. :(

A couple of good things this week, I sold a Cocktail Ring, and we had 3 days of decent, one might even say Spring-like weather!

(Of course we got snow too!)  I’ve been wanting to show Little Bug how to make a snowman all winter, but we haven’t gotten any packing snow.  Then on Wednesday we got an ice storm, followed by a snow storm.  This made for really wet snow.  So, yesterday,  I dragged Little Bug outside with me, determined to make us a snowman.  Turns out Mr. Snowman is more of an iceman and not a very pretty one, dirty snow is so un-photogenic.  But I got it done, my one accomplishment for the week!

In Progress

A peek at some works-in-progress on my bench…

Silver and Turquoise cuff bracelet, in progress Turquoise Cab for Bracelet

Silver, Turquoise, and Copper Cuff Bracelet

 

Feather and Lichen earrings, in progress

Feather and Lichen Post Earrings

 

 

Tiny Copper Triangle Pendant, in progress

Copper Triangle Necklace

 

Cut and Pierced Silhouette pendant, in progress

Cut & Pierced Wedge Silhouette

 

Tiny stone pendants, in progress

Tiny Stone Necklaces in Spring colors

 

These will be making their way to my Etsy store over the next week or two, as I finish them.  XO