Benefits of v steam7/22/2023 ![]() Many herbs can help increase the beneficial effects of steam therapy. Herbs most beneficial for steam inhalation: While inhaling steam may help ease some coronavirus symptoms, there is no evidence that steam kills the virus. One thing steam therapy doesn't cure: COVID-19. A 2019 study showed that warm steam inhalation before bedtime helped participants relax and increased deep sleep, which led to improved sleep quality in adult men with mild sleep issues and anxiety. Steam therapy may also help people sleep. Some people may be sensitive to the herbals, and it could trigger airway problems. Gershan also warns that in people with respiratory challenges, steam therapy should not take the place of prescribed medications. However, more studies are needed to determine the effects of steam therapy on people with lung issues. In addition to helping clear the nose and throat, steam therapy is sometimes used to help with chest congestion.įor example, in a 2018 study on steam therapy with a small group of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), some participants experienced decreased respiratory rate and easier breathing. The flu, seasonal colds, sinus infections, and allergies are typically the trigger," says Jay Woody, MD, emergency room physician, and the chief medical officer of Intuitive Health. "I recommend steam inhalation for my patients who have blocked nasal passages and nasal congestion. Illnesses and conditions steam inhalation treats If not cleaned properly they can also harbor bacteria and viruses which could lead to infection. Otherwise, there's a chance they might get moldy, which can aggravate noses, throats, and lungs. Make sure to clean portable steam inhalers after each use. After steam therapy, she also recommends using a sterile nasal saline solution to rinse out the loosened secretions. Jones suggests starting with two drops of essential oils and stopping after you're able to smell them in the steam. Some vaporizers have special chambers for essential oils, or you can add the oil to the water. The water is heated slowly until it boils, and the steam that is created goes through the hole in the vaporizer, where it can be inhaled. To use a vaporizer, fill the chamber to the fill line with water (filtered water is a good choice), plug it in, and turn it on. "I recommend them to many of my patients, and you can pick one up inexpensively on Amazon," says Jacqueline Jones, MD, an ENT specialist, and head and neck surgeon. In recent years, portable steam inhalers, also known as vaporizers, have become popular. Several studies have shown that children may get scalded and burned using steam therapy, often by accidentally spilling boiling water on themselves or inhaling steam that can burn the delicate lining of their nose, mouth, and airways.Īdditional steam therapy methods include inhaling steam from baths, showers, and steam rooms. "Kids don't like it, and the risks outweigh the benefits," she says. Gershan does not recommend this type of steam inhalation for children 12 and under. You can toss the liquid after a few hours. At that point, the herbs have become more concentrated, and the chemicals they release into the air from their essential oils can be left to dissipate in the air, where they can continue to help refresh you and your environment. Keep the decoction, or extract, of water and herbs on your counter for a few hours after you're finished.Inhale the steam for no more than 10 minutes.Create a tent with a towel over your head to inhale the steam.Put two handfuls of herbs in the water, and let steep for 10 minutes.Heat the water until it's not quite boiling, just steamy.Lynn Gershan, MD, a pediatrician and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School who is certified in medical herbalism, shares her 6-step DIY process: The most common method of steam inhalation is a do-it-yourself treatment. With a towel, create a tent over your head to guide the steam toward your nose and mouth.
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