When Fall comes, sometimes noses get stuffy, or the air is so dry it makes breathing feel less than comfortable. Herbal steams have your back! Inhaling herbal steam can help thin mucus, provide internal moisture, and bathe your airways in beneficial volatile oils. Some great herbs for steams are holy basil, eucalyptus, chamomile, sage, thyme, bee balm or rosemary.
What you’ll need:
- A non-plastic bowl or basin
- 2 c. water, taken just off the boil
- 2-3 tbsp. dried herbs (one or a combination of several)
- A clean towel
How to do it:
- Put the herbs into the bowl.
- Pour the water over the herbs, then allow the herbs to steep and the water to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Put your face over the bowl (4-6 inches from the water's surface) and close your eyes.
- Drape the towel over your head, covering both head and bowl.
- Breathe deeply and relax, for 5-10 minutes.
- Uncover your head, pat your face dry, and blow your nose.
Adding a regular steam to your Fall routine can help keep your lungs and sinuses healthy (with the added benefit of promoting circulation and helping unclog pores for healthy skin!) When you’re under the weather, a daily steam can be a gentle but effective way to help your respiratory system break up and move out the congestion, promoting more comfortable breathing.
