Description
Respiratory benefits of Steam
- Moisturises dry, irritated nasal and throat passages making them more comfortable
- Alleviates soreness and inflammation of the throat
- Liquefies mucous secretions, resulting in clearer secretions that are easier to expel by coughing or blowing the nose
- Relaxes throat muscles, reducing the cough reflex
- Dilates blood vessels, encouraging better blood flow and overall circulation
Ways to Use Steam Therapy
- Traditional: Boil a few cups of water then pour the steaming water into a large bowl. Place gently on a firm flat surface, such as a kitchen table. Put a towel over your head to form a ‘tent’. Lean over with your face 15-20cm from the steam and inhale.
- Shower: Run a hot shower and inhale the steam – you can even use essential oils to help refresh and revitalise.
- Personal inhalers: Personal hand-held vapour inhalers (link) are an easy and portable way to enjoy steam therapy on the go. A great idea for the office or holidays, they are also popular with public speakers, actors and singers to help open up the airways before performance.
- Steam Vaporisers: Steam Vaporisers are plug-in electrical units which produce a steady flow of warm, humidified air to help ease cold symptoms. Very useful in the bedroom overnight, they can also be helpful during the day to raise humidity to healthy levels, particularly in winter to combat the drying effect of central air-conditioning (link to other steam therapy post)
How to use
In vaporiser water:
Pour 10mL (approx. 2.5 capfuls) of Vicks VapoSteam into vaporiser before filling with water.
Fill the vaporiser with water to the level indicated.
After use, empty out any remaining water and VapoSteam and use fresh water and VapoSteam each time the vaporiser is used.
In a personal inhaler:
Use 2.5mL (1/2 teaspoon) for each litre of water and use as per manufacturer’s instructions.
In a bowl of hot water:
Use 2.5mL (1/2 teaspoon) for each litre of water.
Pour into a bowl of steaming hot water and, placing a towel over your head, inhale the vapours.
Place bowl on a stable surface.
Ingredients
Each mL of Vicks VapoSteam contains:
Eucalyptus Oil | 27 mg/g |
Peppermint Oil | 36 mg/g |
Oil of Wintergreen | 10 mg/g |
Lavender Oil | 2 mg/g |
In a slow release glycol base.
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