The holidays are over, but the winter illness season has just begun. This new recipe, an herbal steam bath for your sinuses, can naturally open clogged sinuses and relieve the pain from upper respiratory infections. The soothing effects can help you sleep, even with a stuffed up nose. You can use any essential oil you like, such as rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, or lavender oils, but I prefer Tea Tree oil since it has antiseptic properties. I also like the way it smells.
For those of you new to this series, Sarah Munro, the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, the second book in the Deadly Force series, is an 18th century historian who inherited a collection of colonial-era herbal and homeopathic remedies. And, in this blog space, I’ve been sharing her recipes with you all. I’m adding this recipe to this collection because Tea Tree oil is respected for its cooling and anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. The scent is soothing and can help relax the sinus passages even during the worst cold.
Ingredients:
- 4 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 1/2 cup dried herbs (rosemary, peppermint, and lavender)
- 6 cups boiling water
Directions for Herbal Sinus Relief Steam Bath
- NOTES: if using this for a child under 18, omit the essential oil. And if you feel hot or lightheaded or feel nauseous or have trouble breathing, stop the treatment.
- In a glass bowl, stir together the essential oil, sea salt, and herbs. Transfer to a glass jar with a tight-sealing lid.
- USAGE: Add 1 Tablespoon of the herbal salt to a large bowl. Pour the boiling water over the herbal salt. Stir for 1 minute. Then lean over the bowl so your face is about 10 inches from the water. Cover your head with a towel to trap the steam and breathe in the steam for no more than 10 minutes.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING, AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:
I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).
It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.
- If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.
- If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.
Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.
Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.
Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.
Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.
I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!
