Cold & cough10 min
Warm Sesame Oil Chest Rub
A teaspoon of sesame oil, warmed only until pleasant, rubbed on the chest and soles. External only.
A warm sesame oil chest rub, external only
A thin film of warm sesame oil on the chest and soles is a simple bedtime comfort during a cold. The oil stays on the skin. It is not poured into the nose, mouth, or ears, and it is not swallowed as a remedy. Warmth is the whole idea, not a cure for cough or congestion.
Take the chill off the oil in warm water. It should feel pleasant on the wrist, never hot. Do not use it as a baby massage. If a cough lasts beyond a few days, fever rises, or breathing is hard, see a doctor rather than adding more oil.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- A clean soft cloth
- A cup of warm water to take the chill off the oil
How to prepare
- Stand the spoon of sesame oil in warm water until the oil feels pleasantly warm, never hot.
- Test a drop on the wrist. Pat sweaty skin dry before you rub.
How to use
- Rub a thin film on the chest and the soles. Do not put oil in the nose, mouth, or ears.
- Wear an old cotton vest if you like, and wipe excess with the cloth.
- Once before rest is enough. This rub is external only.
Helpful habits
- Hot oil burns. Warm it gently and test it first.
- Use a plain sesame oil you already trust in the kitchen.
Precautions
- External only. Do not swallow it as a cold remedy and do not put it in the ears or nose.
- Skip broken skin, rash, or any oil allergy. Stop if the skin stings. Not for a baby massage.
- A cough beyond a few days, fever, or hard breathing needs a doctor, not more oil.
Frequently asked questions
Can the oil be swallowed for a cough?
- No. This remedy is a skin rub only.
Is it safe for a baby?
- No. Do not use this warm oil rub on a baby.
Will the rub cure a cold?
- No. It is only a warm external comfort. A lasting cough needs a doctor.
