Sinuses congested? Nose so plugged that you feel like you can’t breathe? Allergies? Feel like you are coming down with a cold or flu? I know that feeling all too well! Find relief in these Decongestant Shower Steamers.

What the heck is a shower steamer? It’s basically a bath bomb for your shower! Their purpose is to bathe you in the powers of aromatherapy.

Don’t confuse shower steamers for bath bombs, they should not be used interchangeably. Bath bombs include safe ingredients to nourish skin while shower steamers focus on aromatherapy.

How to make Decongestant Shower Steamers

This recipe made 8 small shower steamers (I used a small muffin pan).

In a small glass or ceramic bowl, add 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of citric acid. These ingredients help the shower steamers to fizz!

Next add either 1/4 cup of cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or kaolin clay. This is to help harden the steamers and keep them together. Personally, I used cornstarch because I had it on hand and it costs less!

Also add 1 teaspoon of menthol crystals to the bowl.

Add in 2 tablespoons of your favourite carrier oil. Carrier oils I love for this recipe: sweet almond oil, olive oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, hemp seed oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.

Finally, add witch hazel in 1/2 teaspoon increments.

Mix all ingredients together until you get the consistency of damp sand.

• If it is too dry, add in 1/8 teaspoon of witch hazel until you have reached the right consistency.
• If it is too wet, add in 1 teaspoon of either cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or kaolin clay until you have reached the right consistency.

Press the mixture into your choice of moulds. I like to use either a small muffin pan or a small silicone mould for the right size.

Once you have the shape, remove from the mould and let dry for 24 hours. You can also leave it to dry right in the mould.

After the shower steamers are dry, add 5-10 drops of essential oils onto the bottom of the shower steamers and allow to dry for about an hour. Adding essential oils after they are fully dry will help the scent last longer. Choose a mixture from the following list of essential oils:

• Eucalyptus EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is a must for cold and flu season. It is antiseptic and antiviral which works to decongest, thin and loosen mucus (making it easier for the body to get rid of it). *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Rosemary EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which helps to open up nasal passageways, clear mucus, and kill viruses and bacteria. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Peppermint EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antiseptic and antiviral, helping to open up nasal passageways and kill viruses and bacteria. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Pine EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and a strong antiseptic, which helps to loosen and clear mucus.
• Thyme EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and a decongestant, which thins and loosens mucus (making it easier for the body to get rid of it).
• Fir Needle EO (Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which helps to open up nasal passageways, clear mucus, and kill viruses and bacteria.
• Frankincense EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy): It is antibacterial and antiseptic, which kills bacteria and helps to loosen mucus from the lungs.
• RC EO Blend (Young Living): This is a blend of eucalyptus, myrtle, spruce, peppermint, pine, lavender, marjoram, and cypress. It is a great essential oil blend to have in place of the others. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Respir Aid EO Blend (Plant Therapy) This is a blend of eucalyptus, pine, peppermint, lavender, spruce, cypress, and marjoram. It is a great essential oil blend to have in place of the others. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*

{I use and recommend Young Living Essential Oils and Plant Therapy Essential Oils because they are 100% pure quality essential oils. There are other reputable essential oil companies to purchase from. Your local drug store’s cheap essential oil can give you a rash and not have the same positive effects because most only contain about 10% of the pure oil and the rest is filled with synthetics. Do your research and find a company you feel comfortable purchasing from.}

Place shower steamers in a glass container or jar for storage.

How to use Decongestant Shower Steamers

Start a nice hot shower. Place your shower steamer on the floor of the shower, away from the direct water spray. Small amounts of water will hit the shower steamer and it will activate by fizzing and releasing the scent of essential oils.

For an even better decongesting experience, hold the shower steamer in your hands close to your nose and try to breathe in the scent. Make sure you do not rub your hands in your eyes after this.

Enjoy the experience of aromatherapy as it clears your sinuses!

Happy Shower Steaming 🙂

Have you used a shower steamer before? How do you get rid of sinus congestion?