This Simple Bath Trick Could Be the Key to Clear Airways

Fir trees not only serve as reliable resources for building, but they also contain valuable compounds that can be used in various natural remedies. Fir can be used to make cleaning products, in cooking, and for immune-boosting tonics. Today, I will show you how to use fir needles to make an easy remedy that can be used whenever you feel congested or stuffy.

Health Benefits of Fir Needle Baths

I chose fir for this herbal respiratory remedy because it benefits the lungs and smells amazing. Fir smells a lot like freshly peeled oranges. Not surprisingly, it’s packed with vitamins C and A and antioxidants, which makes it a valuable addition to any herbal medicine chest. One cup of tea made from fir needles contains more vitamin C than an orange.

Today, we are using fir for a respiratory-soothing bath soak made with only a few ingredients. This invigorating soak offers an energetic burst of citrus and evergreen that’s sure to revive the senses.

Fir needles are widely recognized for their capacity to reduce inflammation in the respiratory system. Inflammation is the most common cause of respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition shows that the essential oils in fir needles can help alleviate respiratory issues commonly linked to the cold and flu. This evergreen tree’s naturally occurring chemicals work to lower inflammation in the throat and bronchial tubes.

Inhaling steam containing fir essential oils can also help clear up blocked nasal passages. Bathing in or inhaling steam infused with certain essential oils is a widely used approach for alleviating chest congestion and easing discomfort in the nasal and throat areas. The steam that emanates from this herbal fir bath just so happens to be infused with the finest natural essential oils—the kind that actually comes from nature.

I also use this Usnea Tincture Spray for its powerful antibiotic properties. I spray it on the back of my throat to help prevent illness. It’s also good for wounds and fungal infections.

We combine fir with bath salts to create a potent herbal respiratory formula that can help clear congestion and open up airways while helping the body get rid of toxins faster. The detoxification portion happens via the skin, thanks to the benefits of bath salts.

The skin is the body’s largest detox organ. Because of this, bathing in warm, salty water promotes sweating and detoxification, which may help remove toxins and provide much-needed relief to the kidneys and liver. Bath salt’s soothing benefits include promoting muscle relaxation and pain relief. I combined the citrusy-smelling fir needles with tantalizing grapefruit and cedar essential oils, but you can use just the fir needles if you want. They smell amazing all on their own! In either case, this herbal respiratory relief bath has just the right components to help you breathe easier while you relax and leave your worries behind.

Harvesting Fir Needles

You’ll need to harvest a few fir branches. First and foremost, ensuring that you have accurately identified the tree you are harvesting from as a genuine fir tree is crucial. There are various types of fir trees, such as Douglas, Fraser, White and Balsam. Ensure you’re sourcing authentic fir trees, and be cautious of yew or other types of trees resembling fir, such as arborvitae. The needles of fir trees are flat and are attached to branches individually. The fir needles have a thick and flattened appearance. It’s nearly impossible to roll a fir needle with your fingertip.

Choose wisely and ensure that you are harvesting genuine fir trees and not other varieties of evergreens that could potentially be toxic. Here is a complete & easy guide to medicinal evergreens, plants, mushrooms, berries and their poisonous lookalikes.

DIY Fir Needle Bath Salt

Ingredients:

• a handful of fir needles (about ½ cup worth)
• 2 cups Epsom salt or dead sea salt (dead sea salt is very high in beneficial minerals)
• optional: essential oils of grapefruit and cedar

Steps:

1. Carefully pull the needles from your harvested branches.
2. Lay them on a towel to dry for a few hours.
3. Prepare a food processor or coffee grinder to combine your ingredients. Add half the Epsom salt and all of the fir needles to your grinder and combine until the mixture turns bright green and smells citrusy. I tried both grinding methods, and the coffee grinder was the one I liked best. The fir tips were ground much finer, which released more essential oils.
4. Put the mixture into a bowl and add the other half of the salt and a few drops of essential oils if you’re using them. I added about ten drops of each of the grapefruit and cedar essential oils to this recipe, but I really didn’t need them. It smells amazingly robust and citrusy all on its own.
5. After drying out for about 24 hours, your finished bath salt respiratory remedy can be stored in an airtight container. You can just leave the lid off if you want.

I added mine to an open basket and added a scoop so I could use it while it dried. Once it’s dry, it’s safe to seal and it keeps for up to a month.

If you’re looking to buy a herbal formula that clears the lungs of congestion, reduces mucus formation, calms coughs and wheezing, improves asthma and COPD symptoms, check out the Bronchial Blend Tincture.

How to Use Fir Needle Bath Salts

To use your fir needle bath salt respiratory formula, add one cup of bath salt to a cheesecloth or a wash rag and place it in a warm bath. You can close it off with a hair tie or a rubber band. The cloth will keep the pieces of fir needles from going down the drain. The salt will dissolve into the water, along with the essential oils from the fir. Soak for at least 20 minutes to reap all the benefits. Enjoy!

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