We've all been there. That horribly uncomfortable feeling of being congested. You blow your nose to know avail, only for your sinuses to start throbbing and the sneezing to continue without end. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you experience congestion, the tissues and blood vessels in your nose swell with excess fluid. It can disrupt sleep and result in a mountain of tissues. Instead of waiting it out, try a soothing steam treatment.
Facial steams help dislodge mucus and can even relax the body enough to lull you into sleep. To prepare a steam, Wellness Mama advises placing an inch of water in a large pot and bringing it to a boil. Remove from heat before you start the treatment. You can also pour boiling water from a tea kettle into a large bowl. Add the desired ingredients, stir well and cover for one to two minutes. Check to ensure the temperature is not so hot as to burn or be uncomfortable in any way. Carefully lean over the pot or bowl, drape your head with a towel and breathe in the steam for 10 minutes.
Advertisement
1. Eucalyptus leaf, dried sage and dried juniper or crushed juniper berries. Root Simple recommends this combination for opening the nasal passageways, as well as those in the sinuses and bronchial tubes. It is especially effective for alleviating the painful pressure of clogged sinuses.
2. Peppermint. This refreshing herb relaxes the airways in the nose and sinuses, making it easier to breath. Mother Earth Living recommends using three to six drops peppermint essential oil in one quart water. However, if you have access to fresh peppermint leaves, you can use these. It is further recommended to adjust the proportion of the formula to your needs.
3. Pine needles. If you are lucky enough to live where pine trees abound, The Prairie Homestead recommends cutting off a low-hanging branch and using the needles to make an effective decongestant steam. According to Birch Hill Natural Medicine, pine needles, which are high in vitamins A and C, have been used for millennia to treat congestion.
4. Eucalyptus, sage, ginkgo, rosemary and peppermint. This power recipe from Love to Know smells wonderful and is incredibly potent. If you are not yet familiar with ginkgo, watch out because it's about to become your new favorite herb. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that leaves from the Ginkgo biloba tree have been used to treat everything from blood disorders to memory loss. Ginkgo is useful in a decongestant steam because of its high concentration of antioxidants, which fight harmful particles in the body.
5. Elderflower, peppermint, juniper, goldenseal and echinacea. Each of these ingredients can be found in health-food stores. They may not be the everyday staples lying around your pantry, but according to Love to Know, when used in consort, they make a mean brew against flu.
6. Peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus. This combination from The Indian Spot adds the antiseptic and antimicrobial powers of rosemary to the classically cooling combination of peppermint and eucalyptus.
7. Lavender, rosemary and oregano. The Indian Spot formula is particularly useful against sinus and bacterial infections. However, it smells just so absolutely delicious, we won't be surprised if you keep this steam on the stove indefinitely.
8. Ginger and orange peel. Ginger breaks up congestion and stimulates circulation, while orange peel reduces phlegm and functions as an antiseptic, says Mystical Magical Herbs. Try the combination of fresh ginger root and orange peel first as a steam and then as a tasty tea. (Always make a fresh batch and never drink the steam water!)
Advertisement
Do these steams have you feeling oh-so-good? Tell us about it when you SHARE this article on social media!