Known as  fumigations or fumenti , the most common home inhalation therapies are generally practiced in winter or in the cold season, when balsamic and decongestant vapors are released under a towel . But what are fumigations and how are they made?

• What are the fumigations
• Types of fumigations
• When to do the fumigations
• How fumigations are made and what are the benefits
• What to use to make fumigations?
• How many times a day to do the fumigations?
• How long should the fumigations last?
• Contraindications of fumigations or fumenti

What are the fumigations

Smoke is an ancient practice that involves the reduction of one or more substances in steam to disinfect, decongest and soften the parts that are exposed to hot fumes, such as the respiratory tract. 

A large towel or cloth is typically used to create a sort of steam containment room to increase its concentration.

Types of fumigations

The fumigations can be of various types based on the active ingredients used:

• Emollient Suffumigies based on mallow , chamomile , lavender ;
• Suffumigi disinfectants with tea tree oil , coarse salt;
• Suffumigi decongestants based on balsamic remedies such as eucalyptus , thyme , cajeput .

When to do the fumigations

First of all, it must be specified that the fumigation technique is one of the oldest healing practices for the respiratory tract that exist , based on the transformation of an active and beneficial substance into fumes and steam, for disinfectant, decongestant, emollient purposes.

They are mainly used to degongest and benefit the upper airways ; throat, trachea, nasal septa, vocal cords benefit from it, freeing themselves and eliminating annoying dryness, phlegm , disorders due to viruses, bacteria, allergies and relieving colds , laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchial diseases, cough and persistent sinusitis.  

How fumigations are made and what are the benefits

The fumigations are performed through a simple technique: just let the substance (herbs and roots, essential oils , bicarbonate or other) evaporate in hot water, previously boiled in a saucepan and removed from the heat, using a towel to cover your head and fully enjoy the beneficial effect, breathing the vapors and fumes rising from the container with your mouth open. 

It is advisable every two minutes to lift the towel , re -emerging and breathing the air of the environment, and then come back down, covered to breathe another three or four times. 

They can be performed whenever necessary: ​​in addition to winter and cold-related illnesses, they can also be done when there is discomfort related to allergy or the change of spring-summer season , when even the air, in certain areas, begins to get annoyed.

The fumigations are also extremely beneficial for the skin : by dilating the pores, they purify them, so you could then also act with a natural scrub or a nourishing mask. Furthermore, last but not least, they relax the spirit a lot .

Please note : pay attention to products that are allowed to dissolve in the basin: incorrect use of essential oils , for example, can also lead to laryngospasm or be contraindicated for asthmatics . Dried mint, sage, thyme, pine, and eucalyptus leaves can be equally beneficial and gentler than oils. 

In addition to the classic method of the saucepan with hot water, today there are also fumigators in the shop .

What to use for fumigations?

In addition to hot water, it is possible to use various specific remedies based on the functionality that the fumigations must perform:

• Chamomile: an infusion of chamomile  to be used in the form of wheat is useful for softening the upper airways, nostrils and throat . It has an emollient action on the mucous membranes, also in synergy with lavender and mallow rich in mucilage.
• TeaTree Oil: a few drops of tea tree essential oil dissolved in steaming water releases disinfectant vapors, useful for fumigation of the nose and throat, in case of upper respiratory tract infection.
• Eucalyptus and balsamic oils such as mountain pine, cajeput and thyme: a few drops of these remedies help decongest the respiratory tract, loosen the mucus in case of sinusitis.

It is also possible to carry out fumigations with coarse salt or sodium bicarbonate . They have an antiseptic and decongestant action in a very simple and natural way.

How many times a day to do the fumigations?

The fumigations can also be performed a couple of times a day, to help dissolve catarrhs , open the respiratory tract and disinfect throat infections. Before going to bed they allow you to sleep better because you will breathe better later on. In case of sinusitis, they help to decongest the forehead and sinuses, which are often painful.

How long should a smoke last?

The vapors must be inhaled as much as possible, 10/15 minutes are the time to be able to draw on all the heating power of the fumes released. It is advisable to keep your eyes closed to avoid possible irritation from more volatile essential oils and to inhale alternately through the mouth and nose.

Contraindications of fumigations or fumenti

The fumigations have no contraindications. It is necessary to pay attention to the temperature of the heated water and not to use a steam that is too hot to avoid possible burns. Attention also to the essential oils used and above all to the dose: a few drops are enough and in the case of thyme or Scots pine essential oil it is important to keep your eyes closed.