Herbs & Cultures

From plant to use

Steam and bath

Herbs in the steam of hot water, or in a foot or herbal bath.

Herbs prepared this way (71)

Level: Easy
Ratio: Inhalation: a handful of fresh or 1–2 tablespoons of dried herb per litre of hot water. Bath: 1 litre of strong infusion, diluted in the bathwater.
Time: Inhalation 5–10 minutes, foot bath 10–20 minutes.
Shelf life: Make fresh every time.

In a steam inhalation you breathe in the steam of hot water with aromatic herbs such as chamomile or thyme. In an herbal bath or foot bath the herb steeps in the bathwater. Sweat and steam baths with herbs belong to many traditions, from the Mesoamerican temazcal to the Scandinavian sauna.

Suited to

Aromatic leaves and flowers such as chamomile, thyme, lavender, eucalyptus leaf and pine needles.

Step by step

Put the herb in the bowl and pour hot, not boiling, water over it.
Place the bowl firmly on a table, sit over it with a towel over your head and keep at least 30 cm away.
Breathe calmly through your nose and mouth. Stop if it becomes uncomfortable.
For a bath: strain a strong infusion into the bathwater, or hang the herb in a cotton bag under the tap.

Tips

A cotton bag of bath herbs keeps the drain from clogging.

Registry

Herbs prepared this way

Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.

Caution
Europe · Herb · № 207
Corn poppy
Papaver rhoeas
Traditionally attributed effects: mildly narcotic in large amounts; Papaver somniferum (source of opium) is poisonous.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Africa · Food · № 12
Garlic
Allium sativum
A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+7Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 357
Coconut
Cocos nucifera
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, antiseptic, laxative; root for uterine diseases, bronchitis, liver complaints, dysentery, sore throat (gargle); coconut water for thirst, fever, urinary complaints and vomiting; ash for scabies and toothache.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 44
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 226
Linden
Tilia × europaea
Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 273
Manuka and kanuka
Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antimicrobial, antiseptic, expels worms (leptospermone); for ulcers, infections and fever.
Rongoā Māori+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 880
Mucura (guinea henweed)
Petiveria alliacea
A herb with a strong garlic smell. It has been studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; clinical evidence is lacking.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 3
Mint
Mentha × piperita
Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 380
Clary sage
Salvia sclarea
The essential oil is used in relaxing baths and massages. A small study pointed to a relaxing effect when inhaled; the evidence is limited.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 129
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 885
Peruvian matico (spiked pepper)
Piper aduncum
A shrub of the pepper family with rough, fragrant leaves. The leaf was traditionally used to stop bleeding; research is limited.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 860
Peumo
Cryptocarya alba
An evergreen tree of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and edible red fruits. Traditionally for liver and joint complaints; research is lacking.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
North America · Herb · № 956
Fringed sage
Artemisia frigida
A low, silver-grey, strongly scented wormwood shrub. Contains a volatile oil with camphor and cineole and, like other wormwoods, thujone.
Lakota medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 89
Rose and rose hip
Rosa spp.
Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.
Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 2
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 201
Rose geranium
Pelargonium graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 45
Sage
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 140
Sandalwood
Santalum album
Used in Ayurveda as a 'cooling' remedy for skin irritation and urinary complaints; the oil is used in aromatherapy. Clinical evidence is limited.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 61
Celery
Apium graveolens
Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Africa · Food · № 356
Sesame
Sesamum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 220
Orange
Citrus sinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: against dandruff; sweet oranges good for skin and hair.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 95
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 953
Stoneroot
Collinsonia canadensis
A perennial of the mint family with lemon-scented leaves and a very hard, knobbly root. Eclectic physicians used it for piles and varicose veins; research is lacking.
Haudenosaunee medicine+1
Caution
South America · Food · № 1011
Tarwi
Lupinus mutabilis
A lupin with white to purple flowers and protein-rich, oily beans. The raw beans are bitter from lupin alkaloids, which are removed by days of soaking and rinsing.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 98
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222
Vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.
Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 21
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 190
Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, stimulates muscles, antiseptic.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 242
Rue
Ruta graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, expectorant, antispasmodic, expels worms (children); strengthens capillaries (rutin); for hysteria, flatulence and colic, incipient paralysis, indigestion; oil diuretic and skin-irritant.
Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 810
African wormwood
Artemisia afra
A bitter, aromatic herb widely used in southern Africa for coughs, colds, fever and flu.
Traditional healers of Southern Africa
Caution
North America · Herb · № 598
White oak
Quercus alba
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; strengthens lax tissue (diarrhoea, inflamed gums, chronic nasal congestion, weak bladder), stops bleeding (nosebleeds, internal bleeding).
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 632
Yerba mansa
Anemopsis californica
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in joint pain that worsens in cold, wet weather, opens blocked sinuses and dries dampness in slow-healing wounds and swellings.
Curanderismo+2
Caution
North America · Herb · № 150
Black cohosh
Actaea racemosa
Mainly sold for menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. NCCIH reports that study results are mixed and there is not enough evidence that it helps.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 187
English oak
Quercus robur
The bark contains a lot of tannins and is astringent. It is used as a decoction for diarrhoea, as a mouthwash for inflamed gums and as a sitz bath for haemorrhoids.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 933
Black ash
Fraxinus nigra
An ash of wet ground. The wood has hardly any fibre between the growth rings, so after pounding it splits into thin strips. Medicinal effects have not been studied.
Haudenosaunee medicine