Aromatherapy SHOWER Steamers

The Lenten period has also begun and even if you are not Christian, this might me a good time to relax and do some reflection.

You can try aromatherapy or essential oil therapy to help harmonise and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. And what better way to harness the healing powers of essential oils than in your own aromatherapy steam bath?

Herbal steam baths have been popular all over the world in many ancient civilizations and cultures for more than just beauty and luxury; they were originally utilized for the healing properties that these steamy, fragrant baths provide.

You can harness the healing benefits of the ancient ritual of steam bathing, in your own shower by making your own aromatherapy shower steamers. Aromatherapy shower steamers are small fizzy discs that you put at the end of your shower, out of the stream of water. As it fizzes and effervesces, the essential oils on them float up into the steam, giving you an aromatherapeutic steam that can help with congestion and stuffy nose (from those Carnival colds), combating illness, help calm and soothe you, or even wake you up. The best part is that you can customize your experience with your essential oils, no matter what you’re needing, you can make a blend for it.

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 cups baking soda

1 cup citric acid

1 cup arrowroot powder (you can substitute with cornstarch)

3-5 Tbsp water

essential oils (see blend options below for different needs)

silicone molds

mini muffin pans

Directions

In a bowl, combine baking soda, citric acid, and arrowroot powder, mixing until no lumps are present.

Add water to the bowl, only 1 tablespoon at a time. Stirring the mixture together with each tablespoon, you’ll know you’ve used enough when it sticks together/packs down. It will still look kind of dry, but if you take a handful of the mixture and squeeze it, it should turn pack easily into a ball. Too much water will make the mixture continue to react and continue puff up more.

Once you get the right consistency, begin to fill your molds, pushing down the mixture into the mold and compacting it into place. If you used too much water in the mixture, it will continue to fizz and rise while it is drying. You can counteract this by adding a bit more powder to the mix, if it is too wet.

Leave the molds out overnight to air dry.

You could also bake your discs. All you have to do is allow the pan to cool for a couple hours and then turn the pan upside down over a cloth. Knock on the bottom of each of the muffin cups, to help release them from their cup.

Drop essential oil drops directly onto the top of your cool and dry shower steamers. If giving as a gift, store in a such as a mason jar. For the ones that you keep at home for family use, add the essential oil blend right before using, so that they don’t evaporate from sitting in a cabinet for a long period of time.

TO USE:

Drop one aromatherapy shower steamer at the far end of the bathtub or shower stall, away from the stream of water. You can sprinkle a little bit on the steamer to get it started, but it will fizz away too quickly if you put it directly under the water stream. Sit or stand in your steamy shower, breathing in the awesome aromatherapy benefits of the blend you chose to use.

Congestion & Stuffy Nose Blend (safe for use around 10+yrs)

2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

2 drop lavender essential oil

2 drops peppermint essential oil

2 drop rosemary essential oil

Rise N’ Shine Blend (safe for use around children 6+ years old)

2 drops peppermint essential oil

1 drop basil essential oil

2 drops sweet orange essential oil

2 drop lemon essential oil

1 drop lime peel essential oil

Hair of the Dog Hangover Blend

2 drops ginger essential oil

2 drops fennel essential oil

2 drops sweet orange essential oil

1 drop lemon essential oil

1 drop peppermint essential oil

Stress Relief/Anti-Depressant Blend (safe for use around children)

2 drops grapefruit essential oil

1 drop sweet orange essential oil

2 drops clary sage essential oil

2 drops lavender essential oil

1 drop roman chamomile essential oil

Check herbal stores for aromatherapy oils.

(thehippyhomemaker.com)