FOR YOUR SKIN: 

Steam  increases circulation in the bloodstream and lymphatic system. This keeps nutrients surging into areas of your skin that need nourishment to fight off contaminants. Poor blood circulation is often to blame for discolored skin, age spots, and wrinkled or saggy skin. Rather than cover the damage with cosmetics, take steps to prevent the damage with regular steam bathing. 

FOR YOUR HAIR: 

Heat promotes circulation in your scalp. Steam boosts “epidural blood perfusion,” which is to say that it improves blood flow, which may mitigate hair loss. While steam doesn’t prevent balding, it does strengthen hair and support scalp health.

FOR YOUR CIRCULATION: 

You may think of it as a way to relax, but spending time in a steam shower can really get your blood pumping. Poor circulation is associated with many health issues. The better your circulation, the healthier you are. While steam alone won’t prevent health conditions, studies suggest that steam therapy dilates small blood vesselsand increases blood-flow. And the TriHealth Heart Institute proclaims that blood flow “increases by two or more times after a 10-to-15-minute steam room exposure.” 

FOR ALLERGIES & LUNG HEALTH: 

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI) reports that 40 to 60 million Americans suffer from nasal allergies, usually in the form of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), which is triggered by airborne pollen and mold spores. Allergies cost Americans $18 billion every year in treatment, says the AAFA. With allergy season worsening every year, steam therapy has an important palliative role to play. The Journal of Integrative Medicine published research finding that steam showers “significantly reduced the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.” Steam flushes away allergens that lead to rhinorrhea, sneezing, and itching, easing nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms.

FOR ALTHLETES: 

Steaming increases blood plasma. Many athletes take amino acids or electrolytes before training. Aminos such as arginine and citrulline increase production of nitric oxide (NO), a gas molecule that improves blood flow to working muscles. Steaming may work similar magic by increasing blood plasma to boost yours body’s “VO2 max,” which sounds like a fancy hair dryer but is actually a measure of your body’s ability to utilize oxygen during exercise. Raising this number allows you to train longer and more intensely. A corollary blood flow benefit is  increased vasodilation, which may lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health.

STEAM FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH: 

The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) puts it plainly: “A clinical study of thousands of participants over a 30-year period presents convincing evidence that the most significant factor in peak health and long life is how well you breathe.” The holistic philosophy is all about achieving balance. Steam showers provide a meditative space, free of the triggers that put mind and body off-kilter. Give it try and see if your holistic health program improves.