If you have had the flu this year, then you know what a terrible ordeal that can be! My whole family had it last week and let me tell you, it was the longest week of my life to be sure! I’m always looking for more natural ways to help feel better when sick, so I thought I would make a batch of eucalyptus shower melts to keep on hand for any other winter sickness that pops up this year. Eucalyptus oil is a great decongestant and combined with the lavender and rosemary (both have calming properties) and the bright lemon notes, you’ll get a relaxing shower that can also help clear your airways.
Supplies:
-essential oils (I used 20 drops each of eucalyptus, lemon, lavender, and rosemary)
-1/4 cup epsom salts
-1/4 cup citric acid
-1 cup baking soda
-1 teaspoon crushed menthol crystals (optional)
-green food coloring (optional)
-spray bottle of water
–mold for shower melts
Combine your epsom salts, baking soda, and citric acid into a bowl and stir to combine. 
Spray your mixture with a few sprays of water and stir. Continue until your mixture is almost the consistency of damp sand. 
Add in your essential oil drops and stir again to combine. Squeeze a bit of your mixture together and make sure it holds its shape lightly. Add more water if needed to get to that point. If using, stir in your menthol crystals (I just put my crystals into a plastic bag and crushed them with a back of a spoon to break them up).
Spoon your mixture into your molds and press down with the back of a spoon to lightly pack them together.
To add a little bit of color, I filled my molds 3/4 of the way and then stirred in a drop of green food coloring to the remaining mixture and filled the molds to the top with the green. You can leave yours all white if you would like.
Once I pressed the mixture into the molds, I let them dry for 24 hours and checked to see if they were done (you may need up to 48 hours). Once they were dry, I popped them out of the molds and they were ready to use and store!
To use, simply place these just outside of the stream in your shower so they will get small bit of water on them to dissolve slowly. As the water and steam hits the melts, it should release all that essential oil goodness into your shower steam for you to breathe in. You can also put them in a shallow dish on the floor to keep any residue contained for easy cleanup. Keep your melts in an airtight container and they should keep for up to a month before they start to lose their effectiveness.
It’s funny because I still had these on my list to make when I got the flu, so I didn’t get to enjoy their aromatic properties this time. But Todd was still sick when I finished them, so he got to enjoy one while taking a hot shower to be the tester for me—he said it smelled great! Hope these help to make any of your winter illness a bit more manageable! xo. Laura
23 Comments
I’m definitely going to try this DIY this week – I’m coming down with the flu thanks to the sudden cold weather here in Hong Kong. 🙁 The shower melts are something I need right now! ✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
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I actually never heard of shower melts, but now that I’ve read about how they work I definitely want to try this!
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I love this DIY! What would you recommend as a kid friendly alternative/recipe?
Hi April!
Good question! I would talk with your pediatrician and see what they recommend. Ours did suggest we use some EO with Lola during her flu (in her bath and on the bottom of her feet after being diluted) but not all oils are safe for baby so talk with your doctor about it!
Laura
So sorry you were sick! I’m bookmarking this now to try soon; they look amazing. I also like that there’s a luxurious “bath bomb” type of option for those of us who enjoy showers more. 🙂
Great! This seems to be a different one that I have never tried yet. Cool!
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These look amazing! I totally need to give them a try!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Laura. I need to make a batch of these ASAP!
These are AWESOME! I’ve never tried a shower melt, but the past two weeks I’ve been taking more showers to help decongest my sinuses which were causing me headaches. Eucalyptus has helped me so much and I have these old respiratory gummies from France that are so powerful but they taste awful at the end. Will definitely be trying this in the future!
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if it lasted a week you’re lucky. i had it over a month.
Showers help symptoms not viruses.
I’m thinking you still have a kitty? If so, be very cautious about using essential oils around pets. If they inhale their scents, they can be hazardous. Also if your cat likes to lick the shower/tub water after you bathe, they can ingest the oils. A lot of oils just aren’t safe to use around pets.
I love this… and would love to know where you got the glass canister with the gold lid!!
I’ve made two batches of these and both times they bubble over and continue growing over the edges of the mold. What am I doing wrong.
Mine did the same. Any tips ?
Good work.I think you have to add more details about the topic.I am so happy to see this.
Hello. Thanks for the helpful article.
You’re right. From candies from cough to refreshing chewing gums, deodorants and aromatic compounds for the prevention of catarrhal and viral diseases – essential oil of eucalyptus is used in both official and non-traditional medicine, in cosmetology and in the production of household chemicals.
Its antimicrobial and antiseptic effect has been valued since antiquity: in the north of Africa it was the eucalyptus groves that were planted as the only protection against the spread of malaria, but the most ancient experience of healing and soothing properties belongs to the aborigines of another continent – distant Australia – who, with the help of eucalyptus leaves, healed even the most serious fighting injuries.
To improve breathing, against coughing, hoarseness, sputum and sinusitis, as well as as an antipyretic agent, eucalyptus oil can be used for grinding.
It’s a good work and it’s easy to make also. Eucalyptus is really good for health especially to people who have some respiratory problems like the allergy. I’ll definitely try this at my home.
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this is really interesting article about the Eucalyptus and yeah it is really good for health..
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I actually never heard of shower melts, but now that I’ve read about how they work I definitely want to try this! https://myassignmenthelpaustralia.com.au/
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This is good
I just put these in a mold-it was my New Year’s Day craft! I love using these and they’re so expensive to buy. I can’t wait to see how they come out. Happy 2020!