Shower Steamers for Congestion – Sinus (Recipe, Tips, Oils)

Shower steamers are a great remedy for congestion. Sitting on the corner of the shower basin, releasing helpful essential oils like Eucalyptus and Menthol to ease your blockages in an altogther more enjoyable experience than the towel-over-the-head bowl method.

The best shower steamer for congestion contains good peppermint oil, Eucalyptus oil, or a combination of both. The oils are great for sinus issue relief and work as you take a relaxing shower before the day begins or before bed to aid with good sleep.

So let’s take a closer look at shower steamers for congestion, where to buy them, or how to create your own shower pucks to help when your sinuses are congested.

What are the best essential oils for congestion?

There are a total of 8 essential oils recommended in your shower steamer that will easily and properly decongest you. Each of these oils is known to be quite effective when you are using them in just a bowl of hot water, while many people also have these rubbed under their noses when going to bed. 

8 Essential Oil That Work for Congestion in Shower Steamers

Each oil has different effects, and reasons, for helping with congestion, and when you use the right oils for the right reasons you can exit the shower feeling both refreshed and ready for the day. However, it should be noted that while these oils can certainly help to relieve the pressures from congestion and make it much harder to breathe, they are not replacements for proper medicine. They should be used to boost the effects of the medicine that you have been prescribed by a doctor when you are properly sick.

1. Eucalyptus

One of the best-known oils for respiratory problems the claims for this oil are vast, and when used on the skin or as a vapor rub it can have properties of being antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiseptic, and analgesic. This oil should be added as the main oil to your shower steamer as it will not work as a supporting smell. 

2. Peppermint

Perhaps the go-to oil to use when creating a shower steamer for working on congestion, this is the strongest smelling oil that you may have. Usually, this oil will be used entirely on its own and at a lower dosage as it can burn the eyes and throat if too much is used. As a bonus, the headache that you receive from the congestion will help to be cleared away by the peppermint oil. 

3. Tea Tree Oil

One of the more versatile oils, many people swear by tea tree oil to help heal all ailments that you may have. This is because of the strong antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that the oil has, however, for congestion it can be a bit limited. It will help with sore throats and a sore nasal passage but using it as a support oil for peppermint or eucalyptus shower steamers will be much more effective. 

4. Lavender

Lavender is the first essential oil that does not directly clear out the nasal passages and those looking for something stronger should avoid using it. However, if you are stressed, or just feel some pressure building in your nose, then a lavender shower steamer will relax your body and help congestion to go away. 

5. Oregano

With a strong smell oregano should be used sparingly as it can easily burn the throat, nose, and eyes when added to a shower steamer. However, if used right and in conjunction with another strong oil, it will clear out your throat and have a lasting effect that will have you breathing fresh air for the whole day. 

6. Lemon

Lemon oil has the same properties that lemon might have, with a fresh smell that greatly relieves the tension from congestion. Usually, lemon oil is used in conjunction with peppermint oil as the two smells and effects greatly complement each other. However, it should be noted that you should never use too much lemon oil as it can and will cause your eyes to be sensitive for the rest of the day.

7. Thyme

Thyme is the oil we recommend using when you are coming down with the common cold, it’s antiseptic properties have proved to be great at fighting against the bugs that make us all sick. When added in a shower steamer you may consider adding some lavender as well, as together the two will soothe you and along you to get a long night’s rest. 

8. Rosemary

The best combination of oils to fight against colds during an ice hot shower is rosemary, lemon, and eucalyptus as this allows you to easily create a bath bomb that relaxes the muscles, disinfects the nasal passages, and clears congestion. Whatever you are doing just be sure that you have the right balances as too much rosemary can easily become damaging. 

How much Essential Oil in Shower Steamers?

It is important not to use too much essential oil when making your own shower steamers. It is powerful stuff and some are not safe for kids, below is an example recipe to make 8 pucks.

  • 2 cups baking soda (that’s one 16-oz. box)
  • 1 cup citric acid
  • Witch hazel
  • Essential oils

Use a maximum of 2 teaspoons of essential oil to make homemade shower steamers in batches of eight pucks. 2 teaspoons is the equivalent of 20 drops per shower steamer. It is safe for adults to use 2 teaspoons of oil but if making for children half the quantity to a single teaspoon.

This is the maximum amount, if you are combining oils, ensure that the total of 2 teaspoons is not exceeded by comining the oils to make the final quantity

Having the oils balanced out means that you are getting the full effects that they have to offer, but more importantly, you can create new effects. This is why two strong oils that have different scents when combined can become something entirely different.

Getting the balance exactly right in your shower steamers will mean that you are comfortably enjoying the shower, instead of having to suffer through a shower that is either scentless or one that so overpowers you cannot breathe.

Having a shower steamer that makes you gasp for air is not only dangerous, but damaging to your lungs, nasal passages, and eyes.

What is a shower steamer?

Shower steamers are simply cubes, balls, or any other shaped disc that you place at the bottom of your shower when you get in.

Similar is essence to bath bombs, there are various differences too

As the shower steamer starts to melt in the hot steaming water that you are showering in the essential oil scents will waft up into the air, making the steam scented for pleasure, relaxation, or as detailed above, to ease nasal congestion.

Shower steamers are worth giving a go for a variety of reasons

Shower steamers are also known as shower bombs, or shower melts, and are much simpler to make than bath bombs. As these are created to quickly and easily dissolve into the water and create a blast of fresh oily steam that clears congestion.

To make a shower steamer all you will need is your chosen essential oils, 1 of citric acid, 2 cups of baking soda, and a mold. It is that simple.

Conclusion

Shower steamers are one of the easiest ways to relax, with all of them created to give the benefits of a bath bomb in the shower. Using the right ones will quickly and seamlessly clear your congestion and make you breathe clearer for the night or most of the day.

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