College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Inhale Steam

Inhaling steam may soothe irritated lungs and break up mucus. May include essential oils. Use a pot of boiling water, or purchase a commercial facial/sinus steamer.

How Does This Ayurvedic Home Remedy Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Feel dry, irritated, inflamed airway tissues sign in relief as you inhale warm, moist, soothing steam. When combined with bright, aromatic essential oils, you'll notice tension melting from your system and enjoy full, clear breaths.

Essential oils have an antimicrobial, bronchodilating effect which deals with lung pathology at the root.

Steam inhalation is an incredibly simple, affordable way to soothe the system when colds, congestion or sinus infections arise. These conditions can result in inflammation and excess mucus production, leading to a blocked nose and pain. Steam therapy sees moist, warm air loosen mucus in the nasal passages, throat and lungs to ease symptoms. It also eases the feeling of painful irritation in the nasal passages.

Steam inhalation is Indicated for

  • Stuffed nose
  • Respiratory infections
  • Constriction in Lungs / wheezing

What You Need for Steam Therapy at Home

  • Large, heat safe bowl
  • Boiled water
  • Towel
  • Optional: essential oils eg: thyme, mint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, chamomile
Alternatively you may use a commercial steam inhaling product.

Instructions

  • Pour steaming water into bowl
  • Add 2-3 drops essential oils if desired
  • Drape towel over head and bowl, so steam is trapped
  • Close the eyes and bring head about 10in away from water
  • Relax and breathe deeply through nose
  • Practice for at least 2 mins and at maximum 15 minutes
  • Repeat 2-3x/day if desired

Metabolic Nature of Inhale Steam

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Inhale Steam
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS

Clears Sinuses

STRONG CLEARS-SINUSES

Cleanses sinuses by draining excess mucus, allowing for clear, easy breathing.

SEE ALL 'CLEARS-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

STRONG SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hydrotherapy

STRONG HYDROTHERAPY

Uses water in various forms (liquid, steam, or ice) to promote health and wellness. Includes baths, steam, etc.

SEE ALL 'HYDROTHERAPY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antitussive

ANTITUSSIVE

Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.

SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Lung Tonic

LUNG-TONIC

Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.

SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Mucolytic

MUCOLYTIC

An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus.

SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Membranes

FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS

Warms Head

STRONG WARMS-HEAD

An herb that increases sensations of heat and warmth in the head.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-HEAD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Inhale Steam

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic, Warms-head, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-membranes, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-head

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Flushes-membranes, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-head, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-head, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-membranes

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cayenne Pepper

    Cayenne Pepper has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Scallions (Raw)

    Scallions (Raw) has these Actions in Common

    Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Mucolytic, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Red Onion (raw)

    Red Onion (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic, Bronchodilator, Flushes-membranes, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Thyme (fresh)

    Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Lung-tonic, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic, Bronchodilator, Expectorant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Clears-sinuses, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic, Expectorant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Clears-sinuses, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic, Expectorant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Inhale Steam

  • Hot Shower

    Hot Shower has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-membranes, Flushes-sinuses, Hydrotherapy, Bronchodilator, Mucolytic, Clears-sinuses, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Warms-head, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Hot Bath

    Hot Bath has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Mucolytic, Clears-sinuses, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Warms-head, Expectorant, Flushes-membranes, Flushes-sinuses, Hydrotherapy

    LEARN MORE

  • Epsom Salt Bath

    Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Mucolytic, Clears-sinuses, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Flushes-membranes, Warms-chest, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-head, Hydrotherapy

    LEARN MORE

  • Humidifier

    Humidifier has these Actions in Common

    Hydrotherapy, Lung-tonic, Antitussive, Mucolytic, Bronchodilator, Soothes-throat, Clears-sinuses, Decongestant, Demulcent, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Warms-head, Clears-sinuses, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Lung-tonic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Sniff raw onions, chopped

    Sniff raw onions, chopped has these Actions in Common

    Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Flushes-sinuses, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chest Rub with Essential Oils

    Chest Rub with Essential Oils has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Lung-tonic, Mucolytic, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink

    Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Lung-tonic, Vasodilator, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mullein

    Mullein has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Lung-tonic, Mucolytic, Soothes-throat, Anti-inflammatory, Antitussive, Bronchodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Eucalyptus Essential Oil

    Eucalyptus Essential Oil has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Anti-inflammatory, Antitussive, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Inhale Steam may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Inhale Steam may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Inhale Steam. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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