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DIY shower vapor disks work well when dealing with a stuffy nose or seasonal threats. A steam shower can open up airways and promote healthy breathing, and by adding essential oils, it can have aromatherapy benefits too.
Have you ever taken a hot steamy shower when you had a cold? Or have you ever stood in a steamy bathroom holding a stuffy baby? I have!
This natural remedy can be very helpful for opening up airways and helping to drain all of the junk. It is crazy how much a little steam and warm water can do for us.
Have you ever added essential oils in the shower? Certain essential oils can be very helpful for respiratory support and make the ol’ fashion shower trick even more effective.
DIY SHOWER VAPOR DISKS
DIY shower vapor disks are made with baking soda, water, and essential oils. You can use any essential oils you want, but I will list some of my favorites below.
I love to use this during the cooler months when I need a little extra immune support, or when I am dealing with anything respiratory. Putting essential oils on these that help with clear breathing can be very helpful at these times.
You can make a relaxing shower melt to use at the end of a stressful day or before going to bed. My favorite blend for that is lavender, chamomile, and wild orange. I just love those scents together!
ESSENTIAL OILS IN SHOWER
Using essential oils in the shower can be very beneficial, but there are a few things to consider. You probably already know by now that essential oils are very potent and concentrated. And a little oil goes a long way.
You also probably already know that water and oil don’t mix. This is important to remember before putting essential oils into a tub. In this recipe, we will be adding the essential oils to baking soda, which works well for distributing the oils equally.
You will want to avoid using hot essential oils in the water, especially in the bath. This isn’t as important when using them in the shower, as the oils shouldn’t touch much skin besides your feet.
Essential oils like clove, cinnamon, oregano, cassia, and thyme are considered hot and should never be added to water when it will come in contact with the skin. It is important that these oils, like most oils, should be mixed with a carrier oil before topical use or used in a homemade vapor rub.
STEAM SHOWER
A steam shower is a shower where a humidifying steam generator produces water vapor that is dispersed around a person’s body, kind of like a steam room. I am going to guess that most of us do not have a steam shower in our homes.
Though it sounds neat, I think you can produce something similar without the fancy generator. When I need to steam myself or a baby, I go into the bathroom and close the door. I turn on the shower as hot as it goes and let the room fill with steam. I even go as far as putting a towel in front of the crack on the floor from the door. This makes it where no steam can escape.
The bathroom becomes very steamy. It is recommended to breathe in the steam for about 20 minutes. I like to add a shower vapor disk to the shower to allow the scent of the essential oil to circulate into the air as well. This is so helpful!
AROMATHERAPY SHOWER STEAMERS
Shower steamers can be made very easily and add so many benefits to your shower. Whether you are trying to open up airways, boost the immune system, or just trying to relieve stress, aromatherapy shower steamers can help.
You can make shower steamers with a blend of essential oils or using a single oil.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR VAPOR DISKS
SINGLE OILS TO TRY
- Rosemary
- Eucplutus
- Lime
- Siberian fir or white fir
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Wild orange
BLENDS TO TRY
RESPIRATORY SUPPORT
- 8 drops rosemary
- 6 drops eucalyptus
- 5 drops lime
IMMUNE SUPPORT
- 8 drops wild orange
- 6 drops frankincense
- 5 drops copaiba
STRESS RELIEF
- 8 drops lavender
- 6 drops chamomile
- 5 drops wild orange
HOW TO USE SHOWER DISKS
Shower steamers are very different from homemade bath bombs. Bath bombs are meant to be submerged in the water and slowly fizz and dissolve. Whereas, shower steamers, like a homemade shower bomb, will dissolve way to quickly if put directly in water.
When you use your vapor shower tablets, set them in the shower out of the direct stream of water. I like to put it on the far corner of the shower where water can hit it slightly. This will allow it to dissolve a little slower and last for the duration of the shower.
If you need to add more essential oils to your disks, you can. Just drop extra on top of the disk before getting in the shower.
DIY SHOWER VAPOR DISKS RECIPE
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup water
- Muffin liners (I like to use ones made with parchment paper to avoid any sticking.)
- Muffin pan
- Essential oils
INSTRUCTIONS
Place the muffin liners into a muffin tin and preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Mix the baking soda and water together in a small bowl until thick paste forms. You may need to add a little extra water or baking soda to get a pasty texture.
Fill the muffin liners about halfway with the baking soda and water mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
Once cooled, you can add 15-20 drops of essential oil to each disk.
You can remove the disk from the muffin liner or leave them in. Store in an airtight container.
NOTE: You can add more or less essential oils depending on preference. You can store these in a ziplock bag or a mason jar. If stacking in a mason jar, it may be best to leave the disk in the cupcake liners to prevent them from breaking or sticking together.
DIY Shower Vapor Disks
Equipment
- muffin tin
- Muffin liners
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- ⅓ cup water
- Essential oils
Instructions
- Place the muffin liners into a muffin tin and preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Mix the baking soda and water together in a small bowl until thick paste forms. You may need to add a little extra water or baking soda to get a pasty texture.
- Fill the muffin liners about halfway with the baking soda and water mixture.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can add 15-20 drops of essential oil to each disk.
- You can remove the disk from the muffin liner or leave them in. Store in an airtight container.
Can just let dry in the sun and not use the oven?
These look amazing! What is the shelf life? Thanks so much!