Cold and Flu Sinus Relief Shower Steamers Without Citric Acid
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Use these cold and flu sinus relief shower steamers when you need a natural decongestant. They release essential oils while you shower, which can help you breathe easier.
When I'm sick with sinus trouble, whether it be from allergies, a sinus infection, or a cold, I am miserable. I turn on the cool mist humidifier and take my meds, but the thing that brings me the most relief is using my Breathe Easy essential oil blend.
At the first sign of sinus trouble, I put Breathe Easy in my essential oil diffuser. This works well, but using the oils in steam seems to help better.
Sometimes I use my bath salts for cold and flu, which works great when I'm achy and want to take a bath. But I don't always want to take a bath. Sometimes I'd rather take a shower.
Whether you call these cold and flu shower steamers or sinus relief shower bombs or decongestant shower melts, they are wonderful if you have any sinus trouble.
COLD AND FLU SINUS RELIEF SHOWER STEAMERS
I use these when I start with a scratchy throat or runny nose. That's when I take my elderberry syrup recipe with honey too.
Although these cold and flu sinus relief shower steamers are made much like a bath bomb, they can't be used as a bath bomb.
Bath bombs have less essential oils in them because you soak in the water. These have a lot of oils in them so they reach you as you stand in the shower.
Please do not use these as bath bombs because you can irritate your skin with the extra oils!
I didn't use citric acid with these because they don't need it. You don't get the fun fizz, but it really only lasts a few seconds anyway.
These have one less ingredients, so they are easier to make. I don't know about you, but I always have baking soda and arrowroot powder in my pantry. I don't always have citric acid in my pantry.
Shower melts made with citric acid are harder than these. I store these in a container so they don't get smashed and break.
If they do break in half, they will still work. Just use both parts when you add them to the shower.
ARROWROOT POWDER VERSUS CORN STARCH
Some recipes call for corn starch, but I don't use corn starch. Corn starch is almost always made from GMO corn, so I use arrowroot powder instead.
The plant that arrowroot powder comes from isn't genetically modified, so I feel better using it.
BREATHE EASY ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND
I was working on a sinus relief blend when I went to the store to get the necessary oils and discovered the Breathe Easy blend a few years ago. I've been a fan since then.
Breathe Easy is a blend of:
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Tea tree oil
- Cedar leaf
- Clove
- Margoram
- Peppermint
- Pine
- Spearmint
- Anise
It has a strong scent, and it does smell medicinal thanks to the tea tree oil. But it does work.
Simply Earth also has a Breathe Easy blend with Fir Needle, Cedarwood, Frankincense, and Myrrh.
You can also use eucalyptus essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
While not very common, pine essential oil
I sometimes use frankincense essential oil
You can make your own blend for cold and flu or coughing.
Try combining:
- 5 peppermint, 5 eucalyptus, 4 tea tree oil, 2 lemon
- 5 clove, 4 lemon, 3 cinnamon, 2 eucalyptus, 1 rosemary
- 5 frankincense, 4 eucalyptus, 2 peppermint
Learn more about the best essential oils for sinus headache because they will also work well in this recipe.
MOLD
I used this ice cube style silicone mold for my shower steamers. One batch of these shower fizzies will fill two of these molds.
Don't use these molds for ice afterwards. It should be delegated just for DIY bath and body recipes after you use essential oils in it.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 3/4 cups baking soda
- 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
- 1 tablespoon Breathe Easy essential oil blend
- 4 tablespoons water
- Soap colorant (optional)
- Ice cube tray
DIRECTIONS
STEP #1
Combine the baking soda, arrowroot powder, essential oil, and soap colorant in a bowl. Wear a glove to mix it well with your hands.
The soap colorant is optional. I added it mainly for the photos, but you can leave it out.
I you do add it, really work it in and mix well. It can cause dark spots if it's not mixed well. These dark spots are perfectly fine and won't affect your final product.
Add the water a tablespoon at a time and try not to dump it in one place.
STEP #2
Keep mixing until it holds its shape when you squeeze it.
STEP #3
Spoon into the mold. Gently press the mixture down. It should be packed in tight enough to hold together, but not so tight that the sides of the mold flex.
If the mold flexes too much, they could break when you unmold them.
Let sit for at least 24 hours before unmolding.
Don't try to take these out of the mold early because they will break. Patience, grasshopper.
Once they are dry, they should slide right out of the mold. If a few break, it's okay. Just use two pieces of broken shower steamer instead of one whole one.
To use, place on the floor of the shower where the water won't hit it directly. It will melt slowly, releasing the scent and turning your shower into one huge diffuser.
You might be tempted to add a lot of these to your shower, especially if you can't smell. You shouldn't do this or you risk turning your entire house into a really big diffuser. The rest of your family probably won't be very happy if you do this.
Don't want to DIY these cold and flu sinus relief shower steamers? I get it!
Try one of these from Amazon or Etsy
- Decongestant Shower Cake from Becky's Bubbly Stuff
- Sinus Relief Aromatherapy Shower Tablets from Nature Escapes
- Eucalyptus and Peppermint Sinus Shower Bombs from Blond Blueberry
- Aromatherapy Breathe Shower Tabs
Looking for more DIY recipes like this cold and flu sinus relief shower steamers? Try one of these for natural relief:
Cold and Flu Sinus Relief Shower Steamers
materials:
- 1 3/4 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
- 1 tablespoon Breathe Easy essential oil blend
- 4 tablespoons water
tools:
steps:
- Combine the baking soda, arrowroot powder, essential oil, and soap colorant in a bowl. Wear a glove to mix it well with your hands.
- Add the water a tablespoon at a time and try not to dump it in one place.
- Keep mixing until it holds its shape when you squeeze it.
- Spoon into the mold. Gently press the mixture down. It should be packed in tight enough to hold together, but not so tight that the sides of the mold flex.
- Let sit for at least 24 hours before unmolding.
NOTES:
To use, place on the floor of the shower where the water won't hit it directly. It will melt slowly, releasing the scent and turning your shower into one huge diffuser. Do not use these at bath bombs. The amount of essential oils is too high for using in the bath.
