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Home > Health News > 10 Amazing Benefits of Steam Therapy for Health

10 Amazing Benefits of Steam Therapy for Health

September 2, 2022
5 min read
By Sarita Sanke, MD | Dermatology

In this article:

  • Amazing Benefits of Steam Therapy
  • How to Use Steam Therapy
  • Side Effects of Steam Therapy
  • Most-Asked Questions About Steam Therapy
  • Final Word

Steam-based therapies have been traditionally used to treat a variety of common conditions. Most of the world has seen its efficacy in relieving cold symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. (1)(2)

amazing benefits of steam therapy

This article will present the therapeutic benefits of steam therapy. (3)

Amazing Benefits of Steam Therapy

Steam therapy is used for the following medical benefits.

1. Decongests the nasal passages

Inhaling steam helps decongest the nasal pathways and makes it easier to breathe.

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Multiple studies have shown the effects of steam inhalation on patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. Inhaling steam within a temperature range of 40–45°C is considered to be effective in loosening up mucus. (4)

2. Relieves chest congestion and facilitates easy breathing

Steam inhalation provides relief from respiratory stress due to phlegm accumulation. It is a low-cost and effective treatment for chest congestion and wheezing. (5)

3. Relieves headaches

Steam inhalation provides relief from nasal congestion due to mucus. This helps you breathe easier and may indirectly help relieve headaches. (6)

4. Improves the skin

steam therapy can help improve your skin health and cleanse it

Steam exposure helps cleanse the skin and get rid of blackheads and acne. It also helps open up pores and unclog them, thus cleansing the skin.

Steam therapy also helps hydrate the skin and increase the absorption of skin care products. (7)(8)

Note: Steam can irritate the skin and cause redness in people with sensitive skin.

5. Prepares the hair for treatment

Steam exposure also helps open up the hair cuticles to allow easy penetration of oils and hair care products deep into the shaft. It also increases blood flow to the scalp and nourishes it. (9)

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6. Expels toxins

Since steam therapy helps in opening skin pores, it can lead to the elimination of toxins from the skin. (10)

7. Reduces stress

steam therapy can help reduce your stress levels and anxiety

Steam therapy helps lower inflammatory responses in the body and can help reduce anxiety. This may calm your nerves and reduce stress. (11)

8. Reduces muscle soreness and relaxes stiff joints

Steam baths can increase blood flow to the muscles and reduce stiffness and soreness. It also helps eliminate toxin production due to muscle weight, and soothes joint and muscle pains. (12)(13)

9. Aids in weight loss

Steam exposure helps you sweat more, which can aid in weight loss. (14)(15)

10. Supports healing of the female

Vaginal steaming is helpful for a number of conditions women may face. For instance, it helps reduce dryness and irritation in menopausal women. Steam therapies may also help promote vaginal healing after childbirth by increasing blood flow to the area. (16)

How to Use Steam Therapy

how to do steam therapy at home?

Here are the two most common ways people use steam therapy:

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1. By taking a steam shower

A steam shower can be taken at home or in a steam room. A steam room or sauna is designed to be airtight and preserve more than 95% of the room’s humidity. (14)

2. By using a bowl of hot water

You can go the traditional way and use hot water in a bowl to inhale the steam for respiratory purposes.

  1. Boil 2 cups of water.
  2. Pour this water into a large bowl.
  3. Cover your head with a towel and trap the steam from the bowl.
  4. Inhale the steam for 10–15 minutes.

Side Effects of Steam Therapy

There are very few risks associated with steam therapy. It is generally considered safe and affordable. However, it can cause accidental burns if you are not careful about the temperature, especially in children. (17)

Most-Asked Questions About Steam Therapy

Can I use steam therapy in the treatment of COVID-19?

Yes, steam inhalation can provide temporary relief from nasal, throat, and chest congestion. (18)

Are steam and sauna the same?

No. Steam baths involve steam that is derived by heating water, whereas saunas use dry heat that is obtained by heating rocks. (16)

Final Word

Steam inhalation and steam baths are age-old remedies for common medical conditions. They have a wide range of benefits: from better sleep to clearer skin and relief from the common cold. However, it is important to use caution and maintain the right temperature of the steam.

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Very high temperatures can cause respiratory injuries and accidental skin burns.

References
  1. Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L. Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body. North American journal of medical sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049052/. Published May 2014.
  2. FEMTEC – globalwellnessinstitute.org. https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Immune-Boosting-Practices-at-Hot-Springs-and-Related-Research.pdf.
  3. Steam inhalation in treatment of the COVID-19 patients: A Review. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350061687/.
  4. T; VVPPAPS. The effect of steam inhalation on nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis. Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31175716/.
  5. MM; UROFM. Steam inhalation or humidified oxygen for acute bronchiolitis in children up to three years of age. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21249676/.
  6. Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al. Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5026511/. Published September 20, 2016.
  7. S; KNDG. Rejuvenating facial massage–a Bane or Boon? International journal of dermatology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12121555/.
  8. Skin care for acne-prone skin – informedhealth.org – NCBI bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279208/.
  9. Trüeb RM, Henry JP, Davis MG, Schwartz JR. Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress. International journal of trichology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369642/. Published 2018.
  10. Sears ME, Kerr KJ, Bray RI. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and Mercury in sweat: A systematic review. Journal of environmental and public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312275/. Published 2012.
  11. Chowdhury MNR, Alif YA, Alam S, et al. Theoretical effectiveness of steam inhalation against SARS-COV-2 infection: Updates on clinical trials, mechanism of actions, and traditional approaches. Heliyon. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022001049. Published January 23, 2022.
  12. Wang Y, Lu H, Li S, et al. Effect of cold and heat therapies on pain relief in patients with delayed onset muscle soreness: A network meta-analysi. Journal of rehabilitation medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8862647/. Published February 8, 2022.
  13. Joyner MJ, Casey DP. Regulation of increased blood flow (hyperemia) to muscles during exercise: A hierarchy of competing physiological needs. Physiological reviews. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4551211/. Published April 2015.
  14. Podstawski R, Boraczyński T, Boraczyński M, Choszcz D, Mańkowski S, Markowski P. Sauna-induced body mass loss in young sedentary women and men. TheScientificWorldJournal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4295591/. Published 2014.
  15. Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: A systematic review. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775/. Published April 24, 2018.
  16. de Boer HJ, Lamxay V, Björk L. Steam sauna and mother roasting in Lao PDR: Practices and chemical constituents of essential oils of plant species used in postpartum recovery. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265423/. Published December 15, 2011.
  17. Baartmans M, Kerkhof E, Vloemans J, et al. Steam inhalation therapy: Severe scalds as an adverse side effect. The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3381273/. Published July 2012.
  18. Chowdhury MNR, Alif YA, Alam S, et al. Theoretical effectiveness of steam inhalation against SARS-COV-2 infection: Updates on clinical trials, mechanism of actions, and traditional approaches. Heliyon. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8783838/. Published January 2022.

 

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