Smart Shopping for Vaporizers

One of the oldest known cures for clearing nasal congestion, the vaporizer has advanced through technology. The effect is still the same, but treatment is much more flexible because of the use of variable heat. Now many things can be vaporized, from aromatherapy oils to herbs.

Especially effective for relieving discomfort quickly from respiratory distress, vaporizers put moisture into the air, rapidly relieving discomfort and leading to increased resistance against colds and viruses. Studies are finding that vaporizers also give relief to people with joint pain. Arthritis affects about one of every three adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Breathing steam relieves muscle tension and stiff joints.

Vaporizers work by heating substances to be inhaled. Vaporization produces no combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide, tar or other harmful elements. Studies show steam heat boosts the immune system and has a surprising success rate of effectively releasing built-up toxins from the body. Steam has recently been used successfully in therapies against cancer and infectious diseases.

What to Look for

There are a large variety of vaporizers available. Choosing the right device can be confusing. Talk to your doctor about the most suitable, and take time to bargain-shop. Costs can vary widely, even among retailers in the same neighborhood. Most basic vaporizers are inexpensive, usually less than $30 for a large-volume unit.

Check different models. The digital vaporizer, for example, is a lightweight device that runs electronically. Easy to use and handle, digital vaporizers vary in price from about $140 to $670. The website www.gotvape.com sells a variety of vaporizers.

A hot steam vaporizer, used frequently in the cold winter months, boils the water, denaturing accumulated fungal or mold protein. Add some ordinary table salt to the steam vaporizer at night to help prevent dry skin and dry throat and improve your quality of sleep.

Mini portable vaporizers with digital displays are great when you're on the move. And the vapors released from herbs such as eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender and sage offer natural alternatives to several common ailments.

The cool mist vaporizer--a small electronic machine--emits water vapor via a spinning disk. Unlike the hot steam vaporizer, the water is not heated. It is essentially an air humidifier.

Common Pitfalls

Vaporizers are easy to use, but doctors note that anyone with children should be extremely careful. A child can pull the machine over or place their hands or face into it, which can result in serious burns. It's also important to disconnect the vaporizer when leaving home to minimize the risk of a fire from electrical short circuits.

Last updated on: Nov 18, 2009

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments