Tips for Allergy Season

Coughing, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, watery eyes - sound familiar? Allergy season is upon us again, and everyone, besides those lucky few, is feeling it. If you are looking for a tip to tackle your allergies that is both calming and relieving, we have found it. All you need is 1 pot, plenty of distilled water, eucalyptus or peppermint leaves, and your stove to create your own herbal steam treatment.

Herbal Steam Directions:
-Bring pot of distilled water to a boil. Once water is boiling, remove from heat.
NOTE: It's important to remove the pot of water from the heat to inhale the steam, as to not burn your skin. And please remove it carefully.
-Put either eucalyptus or peppermint leaves in the water. Cover the pot and steep for a few minutes.
-Using a towel, create a tent to cover your head over the steam.
-Remove the lid and allow the steam to fill the tent.
-Inhale the steam through your nose for 10 minutes.

The steam is a great tool to help break up congestion and suppress coughing and sneezing. Adding eucalyptus and peppermint leaves to the steam calms and soothes the senses, as well as, the mind.
Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory properties that aid against asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. It helps reduce fever, and it is often used in cough medicines and rubs. Eucalyptus also has head-clearing qualities, and is helpful for relieving the sinus pressure that makes your head feel like it's 50 lbs.
Peppermint leaves are great because they are a natural decongestant. Certain properties in the leaf suppress colds, headaches, and nausea and can calm allergies. Do not use too much if you have a skin sensitivity to peppermint. Try using eucalyptus if the peppermint irritates you.
In-home herbal steam treatments are great if you need a quick relief, but nothing beats having a full steam treatment at the spa! At Zen3 Spa & Bodyworks, we offer a full body herbal steam detox treatment. You have the luxury of lying on a massage table while you inhale the steam and sweat out those terrible toxins. Simultaneously, the massage therapist works on your head, neck and shoulders, and compliments the hot steam with a cooling face treatment that helps relieve congested areas.
If you are interested in the face treatment, a full facial is a more indepth approach with more benefits. Lavare Face & Body at Zen3 offers a Zone Therapy Facial that focuses on all the sinus pressure points. While applying product, the esthetician will massage those points and help release pressure and fluid build up. Talk about refreshing!
If you try any of these treatments, give us some feedback. Leave a comment on this post and tell us what you did! And please remember that you should always seek professional medical help if you have a serious issue. We are only sharing helpful tips not a cure for anything.

To Health & Wellness!

Information gathered from: