How to Use Essential Oils in a Steam Bath or Sauna

How to Use Essential Oils in a Steam Bath or Sauna Steam baths and saunas are popular in many countries of the world because of their relaxing and therapeutic effect. If you want to enhance this effect, take a couple of bottles of essential oil with you the next time you decide to treat yourself to a heat session. Essential oils have an amazing aromatherapeutic effect that will transform your heat session into a wonderful health and beauty ritual.

Both steam baths and saunas have a long history. Most types of steam bath originate from the Roman bath, while saunas originate from Northern Europe. Back in the day, people used them for public bathing, but nowadays, when most people can shower and bathe at home, they are valued for their relaxing and therapeutic effect that can be boosted by various means.

Take essential oils, for example, with their aromatherapeutic and cosmetic benefits. A lot of people know that essential oils can be used in diffusers or mixed with carrier oils or cosmetic products, but fewer people are aware that they can also be used in a steam bath or sauna. Humid air and high temperatures increase the aromatherapeutic effect of essential oils, resulting in a wide range of health benefits.

But what exactly are these benefits? Well, for example, essential oils strengthen the immune system, give a powerful mood boost, help to relax and relieve emotional stress. They also have disinfecting properties and thus combat inflammation and speed up the healing of scratches, cuts and other minor skin injuries. In addition, essential oils have a cosmetic effect. They reduce the signs of cellulite, improve skin elasticity and firmness, and help to get rid of excess moisture and toxins.

To benefit from using certain essential oils in a steam bath or sauna as much as possible, you need to know how to use them properly. The thing is, pure essential oils are too concentrated to be used safely. You must never drip them onto hot surfaces or apply them to your skin undiluted for a cosmetic, therapeutic or aromatic effect. The first thing you should do is dilute essential oils in a carrier oil or mix them with water.

Since different essential oils contain different aroma compounds, some of them are harsher than others and therefore each oil should be mixed with water in different proportions. For example, you can use 10 drops of sage oil per 3 l water, 3 drops of lavender oil per 1 l water, 1 drop of eucalyptus oil per 1 l water, 2 drops of silver fir oil per 1 l water and 5 drops of peppermint oil per 1 l water.

If you want to use water with essential oil in a Finnish sauna, you can pour it into an ovenproof container and place it near the stove so that aroma compounds contained in essential oils gradually evaporate and fill the air. If you prefer Russian banya or some other kind of steam room, you can splash the water directly onto hot wooden benches, walls or floor.

Which essential oils are best suited for using in steam baths and saunas? The choice depends on what effect you want to achieve. For example, eucalyptus, peppermint, cedarwood, tee tree, thyme, juniper and chamomile essential oils have a pronounced antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Lavender, geranium, grapefruit, silver fir and jasmine oils boost the immune system. Orange, begramot, lemon and ylang-ylang oils help to relieve stress and anxiety.

You can use individual essential oils or mix them together to create essential oil blends. However, you should keep in mind that there are certain rules for blending essential oils because some oils have incompatible aromas or properties. If you don’t know these rules, you’d better buy essential oils blends produced by reputable brands, such as Flora Secret, Home Doctor, Mayur and Aromatika. Each of such blends is designed to perform a specific task, for example, to combat stress, help you to relax, relieve the symptoms of respiratory infections, boost the immune system, etc.

You can buy high-quality essential oils and essential oil blends in our online shop Organic Store. We offer a great selection of aromatherapeutic products at reasonable prices, convenient payment methods and international delivery to most parts of the world.

Essential Oils and Blends in Our Store