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A friend asked me if I had a DIY recipe for a natural version of shower melts (basically a bath bomb for the shower) since her favorite ones had been discontinued and she was looking for a cheaper and better homemade option. I’m so glad she asked because these little shower melts are a staple around our house now.
I also call these “shower soothers” because I infuse them with menthol and/or eucalyptus, rosemary, and other essential oils known to be soothing during a cold. Add hot water from the shower, and a soothing steam fills the air and eases coughs or congestion.
You don’t have to wait until you have a cold to use these, though. Aromatherapy is proven to reduce stress, so I sometimes make these just for fun using my favorite essential oil blends.
Therapeutic Shower Melts for Cold and Flu
I did a little research before attempting this recipe and found that there are some great natural options already available for purchase:
I wanted a recipe that would combine the best properties of both and realized I already had the base recipe from my homemade bath bombs.
I also had some essential oils and menthol crystals on hand from my homemade pain relief lotion bars and homemade vapor rub so I played around with proportions and found a great combination that is excellent for clearing out sinuses. I’ve also thought about experimenting with these in a bath for sore muscles but haven’t tried it yet.
I made these in little silicone candy molds and stored them in a glass jar for easy use if we get hit by a cold this year.
Natural Shower Aromatherapy (Anytime)
The real beauty to making natural recipes from scratch (besides knowing what is in your products) is you can make them to order! Make these shower melts with lavender or rose or citrus for an aromatherapy shower anytime. Makes a great gift, too!
CAUTION: In general, check with a qualified health practitioner or aromatherapist about essential oil precautions for children and pregnant mothers, especially menthol and strong essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus. Using a kid-safe essential oil blend is a great way to take the guesswork out of using essential oils around kids, but personally I don’t use them on children under 2 and I dilute them even then.
Soothing Shower Melt Recipe
Equipment
Materials
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup sea salt (or Epsom salt)
- 2 tsp water (or less)
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 20 drops rosemary essential oil
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
- 1 tsp powdered menthol crystals (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the baking soda and salt or Epsom salt, and mix well until combined.
- Spray or drop small amounts of water into the baking soda mixture and stir until it is the consistency of slightly wet sand. The mixture should hold together without crumbling when squeezed, but should not appear wet at all. You may need to add slightly more water if it hasn't achieved this consistency yet.
- Add the essential oils and powdered menthol crystals and stir to combine.
- Quickly, press the mixture firmly into silicone molds, greased muffin tins, or any other greased container.
- Set aside and let sit at least 24 hours (48 is better) or until hardened.
- When dry, remove and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
To Use:
- Place 1-2 melts just outside of the shower stream on the floor of the shower.
- Let the hot water and steam do its work, and enjoy!
- If the melts dissolve too fast you may have added too much water in step 2. Stop adding water as soon as the mixture holds together without crumbling, but doesn't appear wet.
- If the melts dissolve too slowly, pack them a little more lightly on the next batch, allowing more space for the water to get in and dissolve the melt.
- Store away from moisture and light. Use within 1 month for the strongest scent and best results.
Notes
This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Have you ever tried shower melts? What natural remedies do you keep on hand this time of year?
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How much do you put into the molds?
I had been using your toilet cleaner fizzies in the shower, adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil and putting the fizzies in a small food-type plastic container in the bottom of the shower ( which worked pretty well and was an easy cleanup). However, the addition of menthol is great!
Worked up a batch tonight, and these work very well. No fizz, but dissolve more slowly so they last longer. The combination of the Essential oils with the menthol provided soothing relief to an annoying cough and stuffed head. Thanks once again for an amazing homemade remedy. Use your elderberry syrup also which is very effective too.
Are these safe to use during pregnancy?
Elizabeth,, how often do you use your “simmer pot’..sounds good , but expencive if you do it daily….lookin forward to your response…molly
Oh excellent. Thank you. just what I needed. Never heard of menthol crystals before but I will figure that out.
Quick question. Is this safe to use while pregnant? I know Rosemary isn’t safe to use when pregnant, but is that for topical use only? Or is that true for inhaling as well? Thanks!
I would just skip it if you are pregnant or check with a doc or midwife first.
My husband is currently battling a cold and his cough is pretty bad. Since I didn’t have these made, I just squirted about 30 drops of eucalyptus in the corner of the shower and it helped him tremendously. But I will definitely be making these.
I usually put essential oils on a rag in the corner of the shower, and it does the same thing. The peppermint really helps with migraines when I use it like that in a dark shower. Have you tried her elderberry syrup, cough syrup, and vapor rub recipes? They work really well for colds. My husband stays sick from working outside in the cold all winter. I also mix 1 Tbs of raw honey with 1 tsp of cinnamon. It really soothes a sore throat. My husband says it’s kind of gritty from the cinnamon, but it tastes similar to red hots.
Is it safe to put one in your bath to soak instead of a shower?
I’d use caution for using them to soak. Peppermint, eucalyptus and menthol can cause irritation in some when it comes in contact with “lady bits”.
Love this idea because I never take a bath, always showers. Can we substitute eucalyptus essential oil instead of menthol? Thanks for a great gift idea. Especially like the lavender cake idea.
I like to take a big pot of water let it simmer all day with eucalyptus oil, Teatree oil, peppermint oil and rosemary oil. Not only does it open up airways but the Teatree oil kills whatever viruses or bacteria the kids pick throughout the day. And I myself was somebody who up until I started doing this got bronchitis and pneumonia yearly. Doing this and other natural remedies I don’t even need my inhaler anymore. It is soo nice not to go through the drowning feeling of pneumonia or living in fear of getting pneumonia or bronchitis.
I thought essential oils broke down and became less effective in heat. How much oil do you use and how long do the effects last before you refresh the oils?