SOCIAL: People Are Hanging Eucalyptus In Their Showers for This Surprising Reason

People Are Hanging Eucalyptus In Their Showers for This Surprising Reason For a while now, taking a luxurious bath has been the epitome of the self-care experience. But if you're not a bath person, there's one easy way to elevate your experience: Eucalyptus bath bouquets. Eucalyptus is the latest trend invading people's showers—and not just because it looks pretty. A viral Reddit thread recommended hanging the plant in the shower to enjoy its pleasant aroma. But there's actually a lot more to the hack than you'd think. With flu season right around the corner, a steamy shower can help loosen mucus and relieve congestion. On top of that, eucalyptus is known to relieve upper respiratory issues. That's why it's a common ingredient in over-the-counter chest rubs and humidifiers. So what does hanging it in your shower do? The steam from the shower releases the essential oils within the plant that can help clear congestion and reduce inflammation. We recommend slowly breathing in the steam for about 5 minutes. This should be enough time to break up the mucus in your body. Even if you're not sick, the scent of eucalyptus is seriously de-stressing. If you're looking to get your hands on fresh eucalyptus, your local florist is a good place to start. So is the flower section at the grocery store. If you're trying to soothe your cold or just want your shower to smell nice, you won't need a lot of eucalyptus to get the job done. Add a few sprigs to your shower head, and you're good to go until it dries out. It will stay fresh for approximately two months, according to users. If you are more of a bath person, you can recreate the same effect with some bath salts and eucalyptus essential oil. Or, try adding some eucalyptus essential oil to a room diffuser. If eucalyptus isn't your thing, there are other home remedies to relieve congestion. A neti pot relieves nasal congestion by breaking up mucus in your nose. Yoga, especially chest-opening postures, can reduce the symptoms of congestion and sinus headache. The most basic way to treat your symptoms is with your diet. The steam from hot liquids like broths or herbal tea can also help to break up mucus. No matter how you choose to treat your congestion, if it lasts longer than 10 days, go to the doctor!