Herbal Shower Steamers

This holiday season, I am gifting my two favorite homemade shower steamer varieties, Spearmint Lavender to decongest and sooth, and Lemon Eucalyptus to revitalize. Here is my recipe:

Supplies You Will Need

• metal bath bomb molds
• spray mister

Ingredients You Will Need

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup citric acid
• 80 drops essential oil (40 spearmint/40 lavender, 40 lemon/40 eucalyptus)
• witch hazel
• dried lavender buds and/or lemon peel (optional)

To Make

In a bowl, mix the baking soda and citric acid until well combined.

Add essential oils evenly around the bowl and mix until well combined.

Pour the witch hazel into the spray bottle and spritz it onto the mixture (start with 5 spritzes). Mix it quickly and then test it in your hand (like you're making a snowball) to see if it packed together securely. If it falls apart, add another 5 spritzes and try again until you can form a ball. (Avoid getting it too moist. If it begins fizzing, it's too moist.)

Press the mixture into your molds, packing it firmly to remove any air bubbles that will cause it to break apart when dry.

Carefully remove them from the molds and place them on a parchment-covered baking sheet for 24-48 hours.

Store in an airtight jar.

Note regarding adding the dried lavender buds or lemon peel: this is an optional ingredient but is pretty and adds a lovely organic element to your steamers. There are two ways I incorporate dried elements into steamers. First, they can be add them to the mixture in step 1. I recommend no more than a couple tablespoons for each batch. Second, a pinch of your dried botanical can be added to the bottom of the metal mold before you spoon in your mixture. A pinch may seem like a small amount, but a little goes a long way with this recipe and too much dried botanical will negatively impact the structural integrity of the steamer. Less is more in this regard.

To use, place a steamer on your shower floor where the water will splash on it, causing it to fizz and melt, releasing the soothing benefits of the essential oils while you shower.

If you plan to give your shower steamers and you can download my spearmint lavender tag and lemon eucalyptus gift tag. They are perfectly sized for the standard 2" circle punch.