We created the Stay Healthy Steam essential oil blend as a general preventive for any contagious respiratory infections and do the steam whenever we’ve been around others (we also wear masks, practice social distancing, wash our hands, take immune boosting vitamins, exercise, get immunized against infectious diseases, and eat a healthy diet). Stay Healthy Steam is not a substitute for the preventive measures proven to reduce contagious spreading of respiratory illness – it is an added layer of protection and relief in the event you do catch a cold or flu type bug. We use this at the first sign of congestion – from any source including allergies, and have had excellent results. This remedy has worked for many to significantly shorten symptoms experienced from a variety of germs, causing respiratory congestion.
It’s very easy to use. You drop 4 drops (about 1/10th of the dropper) into 4 cups of water. Add in 1 tsp of baking soda. Then bring to a boil. Remove from the stove and put your face ten inches above the pot. Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose and mouth for ten breaths. Most people feel relief immediately from nasal congestion and coughs. Some like to tent a small towel over their head to get a stronger effect from the steam. If you’re going to do this make sure you keep your head at least ten inches above the pot and TAKE IT OFF THE STOVE.
Please check with your doctor if this is right for you.
Research
Steam vs. Nebulizer
http://www.drajayjain.com/2011/01/steam-vs-nebulization.html
From this blog post by an ENT Surgeon
How should I take steam? Steam can be taken by either the convenient Steamer or from the boiling water on a heater. The second option is dangerous especially with kids. It’s not necessary to keep the face too close to container. Even a chair close to the steamer is enough. You can leave the steamer on and do your table work.
Can I take Nebulizer instead of steam? A Nebulizer is no substitute of steam. It has different function which can not be done by steam either.A Nebulizer is for lungs whereas steam is both for lungs and nose. Nebulizer is way of delivering drugs for local action in lungs while steam delivers moisture both to lungs and nose. Some viruses like Rhinovirus which causes common cold are susceptible to heat. So taking steam may help in eliminating such viruses.
Iodine
According to the study is published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2770785 , when they tested samples of the Covid virus against three different concentrations of povidone-iodine – 0.5%, 1.25%, and 2,5%., they found the solution had completely inactivated the virus, within 15 seconds. They conducted the same test with ethanol alcohol, but it did not show a similar positive result. The findings further suggested that even a weak concentration of 0.5 of iodine could completely inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Researchers from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine conducted the study. The nose and mouth have high levels of ACE2 receptors, the cells that act as entry points of the coronavirus into the human body. So most research works are focused on nasal sprays, irrigation, or even nasal vaccines in case of the coronavirus. A study had previously also found that iodine solutions may be effective in inactivating the viruses in other similar infections such as SARS, and MERS. The new study is published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2770785
Bay Leaf Oil
L. nobilis essential oil containing beta-ocimene, 1,8-cineol, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene constituents were reported for inhibitory activity in vitro against SARS-CoV and HSV-1 replication. Essential oil has this activity with an IC50 value of 120 μg/mL and selectivity index of 4.16 (Bilen and Bulut, 2010).
Oil of Oregano
Mexican oregano oil and its main component, carvacrol, are able to inhibit different human and animal viruses in vitro. Specifically, the antiviral effects of Mexican oregano oil on ACVR-HHV-1 and HRSV and of carvacrol on RV justify more detailed studies. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768712/
Olive Leaf Oil
Studies have also shown that oleuropein exhibits a significant antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus and para-influenza type 3 virus.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002804/ – Oleuropein in Olive and its Pharmacological Effects. As reported by Roxas & Jurenka (2007), the phytochemicals found in olive leaf extract have shown high antimicrobial and antiviral properties by interfering with the ability of bacteria and viruses to replicate themselves and cause infection.
Baking Soda
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871211/
From this article: “In 1918 and 1919, while fighting the “flu,” it was brought to the attention of the US Public Health Service that rarely anyone who had been thoroughly alkalinized with bicarbonate of soda contracted the disease, and those who did contract it, if alkalinized early, would invariably have mild attacks.
The coronavirus was found to be quite stable at pH 6.0 and 37°C (half-life, approximately 24 hours) but was rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by brief treatment at pH 8.0 and 37°C (half-life, approximately 30 minutes).”
“The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with 0 representing acidic solutions like battery acid and 14 representing alkaline solutions like liquid drain cleaner. Baking soda rests around 8.4 on the pH scale, slightly above the neutral mark of 7. The effect of baking soda will be influenced by the current pH of your water–you will not be able to raise the pH above 8.4, but you can raise the pH to a more neutral level if it is below 8.4.” 1 tsp per 4 cups of water is more than sufficient to raise the alkalinity of the Stay Healthy Steam above 8 and possibly inactivate the coronavirus and other contagions.