Herbal Sinus Steam
Hi and welcome! I’m Evangeline—mom, Registered Massage Therapist, Yoga teacher, and lover of all things health and wellness. I started this blog back in the early days of Covid19 as a way to stay in touch with my clients, and it’s grown into a space to share what I love most. Here you’ll find simple, nourishing recipes I make for my family, sprinkled with Ayurveda and Yoga wisdom. My hope is that these posts inspire you to care for yourself in small, joyful ways and feel a little more balanced in everyday life.
Have you tried steam inhalation therapy when you’re all stuffed up or have a cold? It is an effective natural remedy that can clear up congestion.
Some anecdotal evidence showed steam therapy helped relieve headache, stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, dry and irritated nasal passages and breathing issues caused by air way blockage. Adding herbs and essential oils to the water provide added therapeutic benefits, plus leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Herbal steam inhalation can help fight pathogens that enter the nasal cavity. Whatever pathogens are around us we inhale, so make sure you steam especially after you have been out in public and around a lot of people.
Herbal Nasal Steam Recipe
ingredients
¼ tsp pushkarmool
¼ tsp neem
1 -2 drops boswellia essential oil (eo)
1 - 2 drops tea tree eo
1 - 2 drops eucalyptus or camphor eo
2 Litres water
1 medium bowl
1 long spoon or ladle
1 large towel
1 extra towel or wood board to protect the surface from the hot bowl
Directions
Boil the water.
Place dry herbs in the bowl and place bowl on the table where you will be seated.
Carefully transfer hot water into bowl. Add essential oils and stir with a long spoon or ladle.
Close your eyes as you drape the large towel over your head, inhale, keeping a comfortable distance from the steam. Inhale steam for about 10-15 minutes.
Avoid overheating and come out of steaming as often as you need to.
caution
Steam Inhalation is not safe for children and may cause burning. Careful consideration with pets and children if they are around. Take extra precautions with tipping or knocking the bowl over which can cause severe burns.
Pushkarmool - fights allergens; strengthen and detoxify the lungs
Neem - supports the immune system
Boswellia - anti-inflammatory; supports the immune system
Tea Tree - anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral
Camphor - anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal
Eucalyptus - anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant; used for pain relief
References
www.chandika.com
www.healthline.com
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3703330/
Vaidya R. K. Mishra- Notes from Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda Courses, Practicum, Conferences and Lectures 2003-2015
