Getting Steamy

I don't know about you, but this has been one heck of a winter. The cold temperatures, constantly running heat in doors, even an Arctic vortex have wreaked havoc on my sinuses. I don't really have any allergies, just a little touch during extremely high pollen times. But I am prone to sensitivities with dryness and barometric shifts. My nose is as dry as the desert, and that is just as painful and annoying as too many flowing (or not so flowing) buggers.

In times like these, I turn to a wonderful old fashioned remedy – a good sinus steam. The warmth feels fabulous, and the steam helps moisturize and relieve headaches.

It's such a simple thing to do. You'll need:

• 3 to 4 cups of water
• Approximately ¼ cup of herb
• A towel

Boil 3 to 4 cups of water. It doesn't have to be exact, just a pot of water.
Turn off the heat and add a small handful of your selected herb. See the choices below.
Cover the pot and let it steep for about 10 minutes.
Put the pot on a stable surface.
Cover your head with the towel and tent it over the pot.
Carefully remove the top off the pot. Don't put your face straight over the steam when you open the lid, because the steam will be very hot and could burn.
Inhale the lovely herbal steam.
If it gets to hot, recover the pot and take the towel off.
Repeat until the steam cools.

When you're done, you can cover up the pot and save it to use again in a few hours if needed. Just bring the water to a simmer for a few minutes, then turn off the heat and proceed as above.

There are several herbs that are particularly wonderful for a sinus steam.

• Chamomile is soothing and generally safe for everyone to use. It tends to be anti-allergenic,
  
  relieves lung congestion, opens stuffy noses, and the scent is very lovely.
• Balsam Pine Needles are so refreshing and help relieve chest congestion as well as sinus pressure.
• Bee Balm relieves sinus pressure, stuffiness, and provide some anti-infective assistance.
• Peppermint is fabulous for sinus soothing and headaches associated with being all dried out.
• Eucalyptus is another wonderful congestion and pain reliever.
• Thyme or sage can also supply relief from pain and congestion.

Give sinus steams a try if this wintry weather is tormenting your sinuses. And keep it in mind for spring stuffiness, and the summer sniffles, and autumn allergies. Nothing beats a heaping bowl of steam.