Soothe a Stuffy Nose with Shower Steamers

Cold and flu season, a common plight for families, has arrived in full force, not to mention the "c" word looming in the shadows. The greatest nuisance of winter illnesses may be the nasal congestion and stuffy noses that can really hang on for a while and keep us feeling down and out. We know that a hot, steamy shower can help clear out congestion, if only for a brief period, and provide relief for symptoms, but the addition of an aroma-infused shower steamer can bring an extra boost of feel-good breathing. A cousin to the bath bomb, shower steamers are also referred to as shower bombs or shower melts and are scented tablets meant to dissolve in water and release a fragrance provided by essential oils. The objective of a shower steamer is in its aromatherapy benefits. Aromatherapy is a holistic healing method that uses essential oils for therapeutic benefit. The term was originated in 1937 by René-Maurice Gattefosse, a French perfumer and chemist. Since that time, more than 100 essential oils have been developed to promote areas of well-being. Created from plant-based ingredients, each essential oil holds its own distinct set of effects and healing properties. Reported aromatherapy benefits have included pain management, improved sleep, stress and anxiety reduction and relaxation. While shower steamers can be purchased in the health sections of many department and drug stores, they can also be made at home with only a few ingredients. Swapping out the essential oils in the recipe is simple and creates a variety of aromatherapy effects. For nasal congestion, eucalyptus, peppermint, spearmint or camphor oils are recommended. Lavender, bergamot or patchouli promote calm and relaxation, while citrus scents relieve stress. The shower steamers are activated by water and the citric acid and baking soda neutralize one another to create a fizzing action. For the best results, place your shower steamer where it will receive a small, constant amount of spray throughout the shower, such as on a shelf or the floor of the shower in a spot furthest away from the shower head. I've personally used this recipe to make my own shower steamers and can vouch for the results produced, although each experience in the shower will be subjective. While the original website (see below) used a silicone muffin tray, I opted to make my steamers smaller in a metal mini-muffin tin for shorter showers. Silicone candy molds, soap molds or ice cube trays also work to make these or just shape balls by hand. I will say that the most difficult part was releasing them from the metal tin (I used a sharp knife to pop them out) so silicone molds probably release easier. The mini-muffin tin made 18 shower steamers, while the regular muffin tin makes four to six, according to the website. I also used the spritz setting on my spray bottle to add my water very slowly and prevent the mixture from expanding. I had purchased the essential oils previously for my diffuser and found citric acid at a local craft supply store, although it was a small bottle for about $5 and it can probably be purchased online at a more affordable price point. I opted to not color my steamers to avoid the cost of mica powder, but that was available in sets at the craft supply store as well. The aroma was very subtle from one small steamer, so much so that I'd probably increase the amounts of the essential oils in the next batch, or maybe use two steamers per shower. The peppermint and eucalyptus scents merged together to create a pleasant aroma that helped clear my congestion and at least temporarily provided relief for my poor nose. DIY Shower Steamers Adapted from onelittleproject.com Materials: 1 cup baking soda 1/4 cup citric acid 2 tbsp. cornstarch OPTIONAL: 1/4 tsp. mica powder 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil 20 drops peppermint essential oil 25 sprays of water, about 1 1/2 tsps. Instructions: Gather supplies before starting to mix. Combine baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch and mica powder in a bowl and mix. Add essential oils and stir mixture gently. Spray water onto dry ingredients slowly, 3 to 5 sprays at a time. (If water is added too quickly, it will cause a foaming reaction with the baking soda and citric acid.) After adding most sprays, check if the mixture stays together when squeezed in your hand. If not, continue adding water. It should feel like damp sand and stay together when squeezed. Add the mixture to molds, one spoonful at a time, pressing down firmly after each spoonful to fill each mold completely. Allow to dry in the molds overnight. Once dry, remove from the molds and store in an airtight container, ideally in a location with low moisture and out of direct sunlight.