Herbal Steams

Herbal steams remind me of the under dogs of the holistic healing world! 

I do not think they get the respect and appreciation that they deserve and I want to share about them with you. 

For those of you that here only for the know HOW, here is how you perform an herbal steam: (Continue reading to learn about the WHY)

How: 

1. Prepare your herbs. Have your herbs nearby and ready for the water. You can use most aromatic herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, lavender, peppermint, spearmint, etc. 

2. Bring a pot of water (preferably filtered) to a boil. Leave enough room at the top of the pot for your herbs, so that it won’t overflow when you mix them in. 

3. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and add your herbs. I like to use a handful of herbs for my steams. Use at least 3-4 tablespoons. I mix my herbs in with a wooden spoon. 

4. Put a towel over your head and lean in so that you can breathe the steam in. Be sure not to get too close, you do not want to burn yourself. The towel will help to trap the steam in closer to you. I like to breathe deeply through my nose AND mouth. 

5. You can do this for 5-10 minutes. Depending on your condition, I recommend repeating this process 1-3x a day for a couple of days. 

That’s it! It’s super easy. I hope you’ll give it a try. 

But, WHY? 

I have witnessed and experienced herbal steams help with a variety of ailments such as sinus infections, stuffy noses, sore throats, head and chest colds, headaches, difficulty breathing, digestive upset, nervous system ailments and more! 

Herbal steams help to moisten the airways, loosen mucus and reduce congestion.

The reason we use aromatic herbs for this process is because the “smell good stuff” is actually essential oils and other volatile compounds that carry medicinal benefits. 

These compounds enter your blood stream via the respiratory system and are then sent through the rest of the body quite quickly - helping to carry the medicine to the digestive tract and other areas of the body that may need support. 

The herbal steam will also work to purify the air in your home - you don’t even have to inhale it! (Though I highly recommend inhaling if you are combating any type of illness or infection). 

The best way to get to know and learn more about herbal steams is to give it a try! Most of the herbs I listed above are readily available and affordable. 

Please let me know about your experience in the comment section below! 

What herbs did you choose?

How did you feel before compared to after?

Remember -

Herbs work WITH us, not FOR us! 

They only work if you work with them!

Thanks for reading,

Cameron Jewell