Some days your head feels packed: closed in, slow, and the air in the room seems to be part of it. A eucalyptus shower steamer is a good thing to keep for those days.
What it does
Eucalyptus and peppermint feel cool in steam. That coolness is a sensation: the menthol in peppermint and the eucalyptol in eucalyptus register on the same nerve endings that sense cold, so the steam feels sharp and open even though the water is hot.
What changes is how the air feels to breathe. It's the same relief as stepping outside on a crisp morning, or opening a window in a stuffy room.
Getting the most from it
Hot water, and a minute first. Steam carries the scent, so give the shower time to fill.
Close the door and turn the fan down. Keep the scent in the room, and turn the fan back on afterwards.
Smaller is stronger. An enclosed shower holds the scent close. A large open walk-in spreads it out, so the effect is softer.
Set it in a corner. Out of the direct stream, the steamer dissolves slowly and the scent lasts through your shower.
Breathe slowly, through your nose.
Which one to reach for
Breathe and Release is made for this: eucalyptus and peppermint, the most mentholated steamer we make.
Relax and Focus is the gentler choice. Lavender and peppermint keep a cool edge but soften it, which suits the evening if straight eucalyptus feels like too much at the end of the day.
Keep both: Breathe and Release for the morning, Relax and Focus for the night.
FAQ
Can I use one when I have a cold?
Yes, as a pleasant shower. Many people find the mentholated steam makes breathing feel easier while they're in there.
Is eucalyptus safe around children?
Eucalyptus and peppermint are best for adults and older kids, following general aromatherapy guidance. If a small child uses the bathroom soon after, air it out first.
How long does the scent last?
Three to seven minutes of strong scent in the room, and the open feeling tends to last a little longer.
Will it help me sleep?
Eucalyptus is a waking blend, made for the morning. For the evening, reach for lavender, and read our guide to shower steamers for winding down.
The short version
On a heavy-headed day, a eucalyptus steamer turns ten minutes in the shower into the best part of the day. Find Breathe and Release and the rest of our shower steamers here.
