Salt Steams, the seaside remedy at home

By Elaine Everitt, Owner of Pippettes and Medicinal Herbalist.

I love a visit to the seaside and certainly always leave feeling invigorated by the fresh salty air. The benefits of a day by the sea don’t stop with a break from work and hopefully a dose of Vitamin D, as the salt in the air has therapeutic values too.

Recognised over thousands of years for their health optimising benefits, salt steams and baths should be an important part of everyone's health and beauty routine. 

To start, you need good salt such as Himalayan (pink) or Dead Sea Salts and they must be food grade. These are mineral rich with a natural balance of sodium, magnesium and potassium which work synergistically in the body to help control blood pressure, muscle tone and bone density, control inflammation and supporting the respiratory and immune systems.

Whilst most of the current research looks at potential actions of dry salt inhalation on chronic respiratory and skin disorders, a salt steam is a gentler way to help clear the sinuses, unblock a stuffy nose and fight infections. Furthermore, it is a wonderful detoxifying beauty treatment for your skin, whether you experience acne, eczema or blocked pores. 

We recommend using our Breathe and Bathe range of Dead Sea and Himalayan Salts with their subtle but effective range of herbs and essential oils. 

Pippettes Seaweed and Marshmallow Salts
To soothe inflamed skin, nourish and moisten sore nasal passages. For the bath add some oats to the brew for a soothing milk.

Pippettes Gum Tree Health Salts
The ultimate blend to decongest and detox. This blend of herbs and salts helps to clear sinuses, stimulate circulation, ease headaches, sore joint and achy muscles.

How to do a salt steam:

1. Pour boiling water into a large bowl securely placed on a table you can sit over.
2. Add the salts and herbs. Stir until combined and salts dissolved.
3. Cover your head with a towel or light cloth, to form a tent. This will trap the steam so that you can breathe it in.
4. Lean your face over the bowl with eyes closed and 12 inches away from the water to avoid scorching.
5. Breathe normally. Once a minute take a deep breath in and let it out. Do this for a total of 5 to 10 minutes but take regular breaks out of the tent as required.
6. Repeat daily if congested or once a week for maintenance.

The salt and herbs may make your nose run for a little while after as the mucous clears. Do not continue if irritation occurs.

For further information on herbal steams take a look at this great article from Herbal Academy.