Helping Seniors Live Healthier Lives

Soothe Your Allergy Symptoms With One Of These Herbal Steam Treatments

Allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes and sneezing, can really put a damper on your life. Sometimes all you feel like doing when allergies flare up is sit on the couch and mope. Don't let allergies get the best of you. Whether or not you're already taking prescription or over-the-counter medications to help manage your symptoms, you can use these herbal steam treatments to experience greater relief and get back to feeling like yourself again.

Both of these treatments are all-natural, and they're incredibly safe to use, even for toddlers and young kids.

Peppermint Herbal Steam

If your nasal passages and throat are feeling raw and irritated, this steam treatment can help. It's also lovely for soothing irritated eyes.

You'll need:

  • 1 cup fresh peppermint leaves, chopped roughly
  • 6 cups of purified water (bottled water or filtered tap water will do)

Directions:

  1. Place the peppermint leaves in the bottom of a heat-proof bowl. If you cannot find fresh peppermint leaves, feel free to use 6 drops of peppermint essential oils in their place.
  2. Bring the water to a boil, and pour it over the leaves or essential oils. Give the mixture a quick stir.
  3. Place you head over the bowl, and drape a moist towel over your head, creating a tent to hold in the steam.
  4. Inhale and exhale deeply. Open your eyes once in a while to allow the steam to flush them out.
  5. Don't worry if your eyes or nose drip into the bowl. Keep inhaling deeply for at least 5 minutes, or until the water stops steaming.
  6. Repeat this treatment as often as needed for comfort.

Eucalyptus and Orange Steam

This treatment is great for congestion relief. If your allergies cause a stuffy nose or post-nasal drip, inhale this steam treatment to soothe your symptoms.

You'll need:

  • 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
  • 1/4 cup orange zest (fresh works best)
  • 6 cups of purified water (bottled water or filtered tap water will do)

Directions:

  1. Place the essential oils and orange zest in the bottom of a heat-proof bowl.
  2. Pour the boiling water over the ingredients, and stir them gently.
  3. Position your head over the bowl, and drape a moist towel over your head to keep the steam inside.
  4. Inhale gently at first. The scent of this mixture can be powerful. It it seems too strong, move your head a little further away from the steam bowl.
  5. Continue taking deeper and deeper breaths until you are inhaling deeply.
  6. Keep inhaling the steam for at least 5 minutes, and repeat as desired for continued relief.

These remedies are generally safe for use by children, as long as you are careful not to let the child touch the hot water or hot bowl. Always monitor your child closely during a steam treatment to avoid burns.

For more information, contact Oak Brook Allergists or a similar organization.


Share