a Game Changer for Lung Health

Herbal steams are a simple and wonderful way to add the benefits of plants to your personal care and wellness routines. Herbal steam inhalation supports emotional, skin, and hair health, and can also help amazingly well for many respiratory issues.

They’re so simple and so effective, that you’ll love having this new tool in your self-care and holistic health toolbox.

Herbal steams have been around for a long time but they’re a fairly new thing for me and my family.

I’d used plain steam inhalation to help with breathing issues in the past, but adding herbs to the mix takes things to a new level.

A while ago, my extended family member was struggling with a stubborn respiratory illness. He’d been on antibiotics and more, but it wasn’t resolving. I mentioned the situation to a practitioner friend who then told me about a rosemary herbal steam. She said it was a total game changer for her, and since then, it’s been one for my family and for many others whom I’ve shared this with.

Herbal Steams: Definition and Benefits

An herbal steam can be used for skin and hair care but it’s also great support for respiratory issues.

Simply heat water until it’s giving off steam, then put your head in a position so you can inhale the steam and have it billow up into your face. Ideally, you put a towel over your head to make a tent to hold the steam and herbal goodness around your face longer.

For skin and hair care, you want the steam to surround your face and hair. For an herbal steam inhalation, you want the steam to get into your nasal passages and lungs. 

How Does an Herbal Steam Work?

Beneficial components of the herbs are diffused into the water and as a result, into the steam. The steam travels around your skin and hair and via breathing, into your nasal passages and lungs.

The plants’ aromatic oils travel with the steam, bringing their beneficial properties along for the ride. For a facial steam, the steam acts on your skin, but a steam inhalation opens up the airways and the herbs have added benefits for nasal passages and lungs, and your whole immune system.

Herbs to Use for Herbal Steams

So many herbs can be used for your DIY herbal steam. You can use these individually or you can blend several together to make your own custom blend.

Following is a list of suggestions for herbs and botanicals separated into separate lists for beauty versus respiratory uses, but you can mix and match as you like. Many of the herbs have multiple purposes and can be used for either application.

Herbs for Steam Inhalation

Links are provided to sources showing some of their benefits.

Herbs for Skincare Steams and Their Benefits

Hair will mostly benefit from the steam itself, but the scalp is skin so it will reap the benefits the same as facial skin will.

• Green tea: toning
• Calendula: soothing
• Lavender: calming, soothing for acne
• Rose: calming, soothing for acne
• Licorice: brightening
• Peppermint: anti-inflammatory
• Rosemary: assists circulation
• Yarrow: healing
• Chamomile: calming
• Marshmallow: soothing
• Yarrow: improve circulation

My favorite, and the one we use most often, is rosemary. It works incredibly well and has for everyone I’ve recommended it to. It makes your house smell great too.

FAQs

Can you use essential oils for steam inhalation?

Yes, you can use essential oils for an herbal steam, but you want to be extra careful about how much you use. Two to three drops of essential oils should be sufficient for a large pot or bowl.

Can you use dried herbs for an herbal steam?

Fresh herbs are preferred, but you can use dried herbs as well. 

Safety Tips

• Take care not to get your face too close to the steam. If it gets too hot, either step away from the bowl or pot a bit or remove your head from under the towel. Take a break and then move closer or replace the towel as you’re able.
• If using essential oils, be careful to not add too much to your steam. They are very strong and can irritate your eyes, nasal passages, and lungs if you use too much.
• Of course, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to any of the herbs or botanicals, you should not use them.

Ingredients and equipment

• medium or large pot
• medium or large bowl (optional) 
• large towel
• 2-4 cups filtered or distilled water
• 1/8 – 1/2 cup of dried herbs or 2-4 drops of essential oil
• hot pad or heat-resistant cutting board for the pot (optional)

• Wash your face (optional, but best practice)

• Choose a location for your herbal steam (some good options include sitting at the kitchen table or standing at a counter or the stove.)

• Boil water.

• Add herbs or essential oils to the water.

• If desired, move the pot off the stove to a location with a hot pad or other heat-resistant surface.

• Position your head over the bowl (take care to keep the proper distance to avoid burning yourself with the steam).

• Drape the towel over your head to form a tent and place your face in a way that the steam is focused where you feel it’s giving you the most benefit.

• Close your eyes to prevent them from getting irritated. This is especially important if you’re using essential oils.Inhale deeply, even if doing a facial/skincare steam. 

• Adjust your head and towel if needed.

• Continue the steam for 5-10 minutes.

• Expectorate and blow your nose as needed during the process.

• Cover the pot with a lid.

• Let the herbal steam cool and pour it into another container to store in the fridge until your next use. You can reuse the herbs a number of times until you feel that you want a new, more potent batch.

• To reuse, simply reheat the water and herbs to boiling and steam again. If desired, you can add a bit more herbs for later uses.

• Repeat every several hours or as desired throughout the day.

Note: There’s no magic amount of herbs to use. You can use less than the recommended amount or more. It’s completely up to you. I typically don’t even measure the herbs and just toss a small handful into the pot.