What is in the herbs you are steaming?

As such, Dr Grace Nambatya Kyeyune, director of research, Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, says there is need to orient ourselves on dealing with these cases at home.

One of the plausible ways to beat the virus is through steaming. 

“Even without any drugs or herbs, the steam will disorganise the organism,” she says. 

Steaming, Dr Mohammed Kizza of Tawam Clinic, Kawempe says, reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract, increases air flow and enhances the immune system.

“Covid-19 causes inflammation of blood vessels in the nasal passages as well as irritation. With steaming, this reduces thus less discomfort for the patient,” Dr Kizza says, adding that seeing that the viral infection causes mucus to gather within the respiratory tract, when one steams, the mucus thins out which eases air flow. 

“With better air flow, one can breathe better thus better oxygen intake. In like manner, nasal congestion also reduces,” he says.

Also, most of the acceptable steaming components such as herbs have essential oils and nutrients that Dr Kizza says will boost your body’s ability to fight the disease.

While many people will steam over an extremely hot mixture, he says the best temperature to steam at is 36-40 degrees Celsius.

“It is also advisable to inhale steam for not more than 10 minutes,” he says. 

The best herbs to use for steaming can easily be found around our communities. 

These include euclayptus, sage, peppermint, lemon grass, rosemary among others. 

Eucalyptus 

Inhaling the steam from these leaves reacts with the mucous membranes. 

“That helps in reducing mucus as well as loosening it so one can cough it out. That is very important because Covid-19 brings a lot of mucus in the respiratory tract,” Dr Kizza shares. Eucalypus leaves also aid in pain reduction, and allow relaxation which is needed by every Covid-19 patient.

Sage 

The herb is great in treating colds, flu, fevers and cough which are symptoms akin to Covid-19. 

“It is diaphoretic; pushes heat from the core of one’s body outwards causing one to sweat. It is sweat that helps to break a fever therefore inhaling its steam is important for any Covid-19 patient,” he explains.

African Basil 

Dr Nambatya says the aroma from the leaves of African Basil, or Mujaja is the treatment because it is made of alcohol that can easily infuse into your system and stimulate your blood flow and energy. 

“Put a few leaves of this in a percolator to boil and let the steam fill the room. When the temperatures reduce, you can also come closer to inhale of the aroma,” she says. 

Peppermint 

“Patients can douse their masks with peppermint which will then keep the stale breath coming out of one’s nostrils,” Dr Nambatya says. 

Cinnamon 

The leaves and the bark are excellent for steaming purposes. However, Dr Nambatya says harvesting the leaves is better because it does not kill the trees. “The steam from this spice will break up mucus, reduce congestion and thus open nasal passages for easier and better breathing,” she says.

Rosemary 

Apart from giving our food an aroma, Dr Nambatya says rosemary increases immunity.  “However, it should not be used at night because it also increases alertness and is a memory booster so one will lose sleep.” 

Rosemary will help with reducing mucus build up in lungs.

Lemon grass 

Dr Nambatya says there are two ways to make use of this the spice; steaming and taking a hot cup of tea. 

“The steam will open up your nasal area while the tea will infuse your body with Vitamin C and antioxidants which boost your immunity.” 

Apart from all the above benefits, Dr Kizza says these plants’ leaves have antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties which are needed in the fight against Covid-19.

 “It is important to boil these herbs so that the ingredients therein mix up with the water. If you are to just drop them into boiled water, they must steep which takes time,” he says.

Apart from preserving the plant, he says using leaves is safer because stems contain strong irritants. “These plants also contain essential oils that are safe for humans,” he adds.

Cautiously use these

Verbena officinalis (kalunsambulila)– Originating from Jamaica, Dr Nambatya says it is good as a stomach tonic, helps with chest congestion, helps with depression, and reduces headache. 

“It is thus useful to help with Covid-19 symptoms. However, more research is needed for potential side effects because pregnant mothers, lactating mothers should not use it,” she cautions.

Marijuana – According to Uganda’s system in regards to protecting society, Dr Nambatya says, it is illegal to deal with this drug because it has several varieties and there are no mechanisms yet to tell these apart. 

“There is one that is safe because it has a low delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (the main psychoactive ingredient). The challenge at hand is to ensure people are propagating the right variety which will be possible with a legal framework. That will also curb drug abuse because the plant is highly medicinal,” she says.

The other issue is that rather than cannabis, others are using khat (mairunji) and with this, you may endanger your kidneys.

Dr Kizza says other things to avoid are jackfruit leaves, pumpkin leaves and barks of most herbs because they contain essential oils that may irritate the respiratory tract.