Steam Inhalation

Admin Posts : 1150 Join date : 2016-06-07

Steam Inhalation

WARNING!!! Steam inhalation are NOT recommended for asthma sufferers!

One way to reap the benefits of essential oils is to inhale them as steam vapours. This can be achieved by adding a few drops of oil to a bowl of steaming hot water or to an invigorating morning shower. The faster oils evaporate, the faster you can breathe in their healing properties.

Even without the addition of healing oils, steam helps to open your skin's pores, aiding the expulsion of toxins and clearing blockages caused by your body's natural oils. It also assists in breaking down mucus in the nasal passages and sinuses, clearing congestion.

Steam inhalations are therefore especially efective for treating skin conditions such as acne, and clearing phlegm and catarrh, which can build up in the respiratory tract.

The best oils to use in steam inhalations.

Eucalyptus

Soothes inflammation in the respiratory tract, while its antiviral action clears catarrh.

Ginger

Has antiseptic, expectorant and stimulating actions.

Grapefruit

Good for detox: stimulates the lymphatic system.

Juniper Berry

Has detoxifying and diuretic properties.

Lavender

Promotes the growth of new skin and helps to balance oil production.

Tea Tree

Stimulates your immune system to fight off viral infections by activating white blood cells.
Also strongly antiseptic, so good for the skin.

Admin Posts : 1150 Join date : 2016-06-07

Preparing A Steam Inhalation

1. Fill Bowl
Fill a large heatproof bowl with hot water. You could do this at your kitchen table,
or you may prefer to use the wash basin in your bathroom.

2. Add Oils
Add 5 -10 drops of essential oil to the steaming water.
There is no need to dilute them with a base oil first, as the water and steam will act as the carriers.

3. Inhale The Steam
Using a towel to seal in the vapours, lean over the bowl and take a few deep breaths.
Continue for about 10 minutes.

Admin Posts : 1150 Join date : 2016-06-07

Skin Cleansing

Your skin produces a natural oil, known as sebum.
If this is allowed to build up, the pores can become blocked and infected, leading to pimples and blackheads.
A facial steam encourages the pores of the skin to open, allowing these impurities to be released and gently washed away.
Using a facial steam alone will improve your skin, but adding the following essential oils will enhance the benefits and appearance of your skin.

3 drops Lavender
2 drops Lemongrass, lemon or lemon verbena.

or you could use:
5 drops Juniper berry
5 drops tea tree.

Admin Posts : 1150 Join date : 2016-06-07

An Invigorating Steamy Shower

Help to banish aches associated with flu and stuffy colds with a steamy shower that clears your head as you wash.
Add the following essential oils to a handful of lemon shower gel:

2 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Rosemary
1 drop Sandalwood

Rub this cleansing wash over your skin.
Deeply inhale the fragrant steam to benefit from the oils' decongestant properties.

Admin Posts : 1150 Join date : 2016-06-07

Clearing A Blocked Head

To relieve a blocked head and nose, fill a large bowl with very hot water and 10 drops of 2 -3 different oils. Inhale the vapours deeply. The following oils have properties that make them especially useful for fighting respiratory infections. Try mixing a few together in a steam inhalation to fight the symtoms of a cold:[/left]

Grapefruit: fights fever and has invigorating effects.

Lemon: is renowned for detoxifying decongestant.

Pine: is an especially effective decongestant.

Rosemary: is antiseptic and decongestant.

Thyme: is great for clearing blocked sinuses.