The steam inhalation treatment opens up congested sinuses and lung passages, allowing you to discharge mucus, breathe more easily, and heal quickly. You may use water only, or you can add eucalyptus or thyme to enhance its effectiveness.
Why Steam Inhalation Works?
This treatment is warming and soothing to the respiratory tract and increases the circulation of blood to the respiratory tract, relieving nasal and lung congestion. Additionally, it loosens the secretion of mucus and makes it more alkaline and easier to expectorate.
Because of its antitussive and expectorant effects, thyme is a natural cough medicine. It reduces spasms in the bronchial tubes and also improves the clearance of excess mucus in the respiratory tract.1 Inhalation of eucalyptus oil helps to clear airways, relieves congestion, reduces inflammation, and improves symptoms of respiratory conditions like coughs, colds, and sinusitis.2 3 Test tube studies indicate that eucalyptus oil exerts antiviral activity against flu viruses and SARS-CoV-2.4 5 However, studies indicate that steam inhalations are not effective with recurrent sinusitis.
Indications6
• Cough
• Laryngitis
• Respiratory tract congestion
• Sore throat
• Spasmodic breathing
• Dry, thick secretions
• Sinus pressure or infection
• Bronchitis
Precautions
Do not add too much essential oil, as this may lead to a burning sensation of the mucosal membranes, such as the eyes, nose, and possibly skin. Keep your face far enough from the water so that steam does not irritate or burn your skin.
Contraindications
Steam inhalation is contraindicated in persons with severely compromised cardiovascular systems or congestive heart failure because steam may make breathing difficult. Do not use for asthma or if you have a facial deformity such as a venous or lymphatic malformation, or recent surgery on the face, nose, or throat. Not safe to use with young children because of the risk of burning.
Equipment
• Kettle
• Glass or enameled bowl or pot
• Towel or sheet, umbrella
• Optional: eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil or mint leaves
How to Do Steam Inhalation
• Boil water in a kettle.
• Fill bowl with boiling water.
• Add a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil or herbs.
• Place a towel or sheet over the head to form a tent, or use an umbrella and drape a sheet over it.
• Hold head over bowl and breathe in steam.
• Breathe steam for 10-30 minutes.
Sources
- Nabissi M. Thyme extract increases mucociliary-beating frequency in primary cell lines from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 105, 2018, Pages 1248-1253,[↩]
- Steam_inhalation_in_treatment_of_the_COVID-19_patients_A_Review [↩]
- Shiekh, R.A.E., Atwa, A.M., Elgindy, A.M. et al. Therapeutic applications of eucalyptus essential oils. Inflammopharmacol 33, 163–182 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-024-01588-8 [↩]
- Mieres-Castro D, Ahmar S, Shabbir R, Mora-Poblete F. Antiviral Activities of Eucalyptus Essential Oils: Their Effectiveness as Therapeutic Targets against Human Viruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021 Nov 23;14(12):1210. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8706319/ [↩]
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350061687_Steam_inhalation_in_treatment_of_the_COVID-19_patients_A_Review[↩]
- Dail. C. and Thomas, C. Hydrotherapy: Simple Treatments for Common Ailments, Teaching Services, 1989.[↩]