Covid-19: Does steam therapy help in combating coronavirus?

The second wave of the covid-19 pandemic has proved to be more deadly than the first wave. The daily rise in the number of coronavirus infections is peaking at an exponential rate. As per the Union health ministry data updated on Friday morning, India has reported the highest single-day rise of 3.86 lakh new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours.

In such a scenario, it is imperative that we strictly follow all the safety guidelines and take proper precautionary measures to keep ourselves healthy. Experts, doctors, and many other institutions have shared certain precautionary measures and home remedies by which we can prevent or combat the severe symptoms of this deadly virus.

One such measure is inhaling steam. The practice of inhaling steam or steam therapy is not new to India. This remedy which is widely attributed to ancient Ayurveda is popular in the country for ages. And is now being recommended by many doctors and health experts to fight against rapidly spreading coronavirus infection.

But, while taking the steam therapy, one has to be very cautious, as many cases have been reported in India and abroad where adults and kids have suffered severe burns and injuries.

Here is all the detail about steam therapy:

What is steam inhalation and how does it work?

Steam inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to calm and open the blocked nasal passages and get relief from the symptoms of a cold or sinus infection.

While taking steam you breathe in the warm vapor of the hot boiling water, which helps to loosen the mucus in the nasal passages, throats, and lungs.

What is the right way to inhale steam?

According to the health expert, Ishi Khosla steam inhaled using normal hot water may work in preventing the virus. You can take a vessel that is half-filled with hot water, cover yourself with a towel, and inhale the steam for 3-5 minutes. Using this method twice a day will keep you safe from getting affected.

However, Mickey Mehta, a global leading holistic health guru suggests that adding herbal oil like eucalyptus oil, tulsi leaves, and neem leaves in the hot water, helps to clear the respiratory tract and increases the chance of killing harmful bacteria in the body. He also adds that one can stay healthy and safe by practicing pranayama (yoga) and taking steam on a daily basis.

Does steam therapy help in curing covid-19?

The American Lung Association (ALA) suggests that steam inhalation may help in decreasing respiratory issues, congestion issues in the nasal passage and airways, but it is not found to kill the deadly virus such as novel coronavirus.

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not mentioned this therapy in their guidelines.

Wearing masks, social distancing, washing, and sanitizing hands at proper intervals are the best behavioral practices to fight deadly coronavirus, as per the guidelines of many global healthcare institutions.