How to Use Essential Oils in a Steam Room: A Beginner's Guide

Inhaling steam in a steam room can feel refreshing. It has benefits like reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and aiding muscle recovery. You can make your experience even better by adding essential oils. These oils can improve your sleep and boost your mental well-being. Here’s how to use essential oils in a steam room.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Steam Rooms

The world’s wide range of essential oils and their benefits revolve around aromatherapy. Aromatherapy refers to using drops of essential oils to improve your health and well-being, providing benefits such as improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety. 

According to this study in ScienceDirect, aromatherapy is among complementary therapies that use essential oils as major therapeutic agents to treat several illnesses. 

“This type of therapy utilizes various permutations and combinations to get relief from numerous ailments like depression, indigestion, headache, insomnia, muscular pain, respiratory problems, skin ailments, swollen joints, urine associated complications, [and more,]” the study pointed out. “The essential oils are found to be more beneficial when other aspects of life and diet are considered.”

Throughout history, essential oils have become an indispensable part of steam inhalation. The primary benefits of using essential oils in steam rooms are as follows:

Using essential oils in steam rooms offers numerous benefits. The aromatic compounds provide stress relief, promoting relaxation and reducing tension. Essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint improve breathing by clearing congestion and opening airways, making each breath feel more refreshing. This also enhances sleep, as soothing scents like lavender calm the mind and body. 

Moreover, steam infused with essential oils enhances circulation, supporting cardiovascular health. Hydration and detoxification also benefit your skin, leading to a healthier glow. Certain oils, such as tea tree and rosemary, boost immunity by fighting bacteria and viruses. 

Another key advantage is mood regulation, as aromatherapy can help alleviate anxiety and depression. Oils like chamomile and frankincense soothe sore muscles and joints, offering pain relief. Finally, invigorating scents like citrus and peppermint increase energy levels, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized after a steam session.

How to Use Essential Oils in a Steam Room?

While the most common way to use essential oils while lounging inside a steam room is by opening the cap of the oil’s bottle and inhaling it, or using the drop tool, there are other ways to enjoy the benefits of these oils:

Diffusers Make the Difference

A diffuser disperses essential oils into the air for aromatherapy. You can add essential oils to a diffuser for a consistent, gentle fragrance throughout the steam room.

Apply the Oil to a Towel Warmer or Tissue 

Make the most of what you have inside the steam room, such as your towel. Applying essential oils to a towel gradually releases aroma, enhancing relaxation, breathing, and therapeutic benefits.

Then, Inhale the Steam

Now, it’s time for the main event. Add oils to the steam source for direct inhalation. This will promote relaxation and maximize the therapeutic benefits of your essential oils.

You May Also Use Aromatherapy Tablets

Finally, place pre-infused tablets in steam rooms for effortless and evenly dispersed aromatic experiences. Aromatherapy tablets are a formulation of essential oils that dissolve in steam or water, releasing the oils for relaxation, breathing, and wellness benefits.

What Are the Best Steam Room Essential Oils?

This chart below shall enlighten you about today’s most effective essential oils, presenting their benefits and the best ways to use them:

The Art of Aromatherapy in the Steam Room: A Guide to Best Practices

However, realizing the benefits of essential oils while using a steam room will only be possible if you know the do’s, don’ts, and musts:

Do’s

• Know your oils: Aromas affect your mood, body, and even emotions. The last thing you want to do is use an essential oil for the wrong reason, even if it stands out with its benefits.
• Don’t hesitate to try proprietary blends: Some alternative medicine practitioners have developed ingenious proprietary blends for more targeted benefits. Essential oils, for instance, are mainly used to improve energy and support better cognitive function.
• Always dilute essential oils before use: They are highly concentrated and may irritate the skin or cause sensitivity. Thus, always dilute with carrier oils for safe use.
• Clean the steam room after use: If you own a steam room in your residence, you must clean surfaces to prevent mold, ensure proper ventilation to reduce humidity, and sanitize regularly for hygiene and long-term maintenance.

Don’ts

• Avoid using oils that can irritate sensitive skin: Some oils, like cinnamon and oregano, may smell amazing and have impressive benefits, but they can irritate sensitive skin. Sometimes, you may need to vaporize the oil before applying it to sensitive skin.
• If you experience any adverse reactions, stop using essential oils immediately: These include irritation, dizziness, headache, and difficulty breathing.
• Do not stay too long in a steam room, whether with essential oils or without: You tend to stay longer in a steam room as the aromas of essential oils surround you. Follow the ideal duration, which is a maximum of 20 minutes at a time. 
  

Must's

• Ask your doctor first: While others won’t, it’s best to consult a qualified healthcare professional before using essential oils if you have any underlying health conditions or are pregnant.
• You must have a steam room at home to get the most out of essential oils: While you may always use essential oils in steam rooms in gym facilities, for instance, some people around you are sensitive to their smell, so you’re forced to leave the steam room after a short while. With an at-home steam room, you can freely use essential oils according to your personal preference. Check out GeyserSteam’s state-of-the-art and innovative at-home steam room facilities. 
  
  

How to use eucalyptus oil in the steam room?

Add a few drops directly to the diffuser, towel, or steam source.

Is it safe to use essential oils in a steam room?

Yes, when properly diluted and used in moderation for safety.

How many drops of essential oil for steam inhalation?

Use three to five drops in hot water or steam source.

Can I put essential oils in my humidifier?

Only if designed for oils. Otherwise, use a separate diffuser.