Turn Your Shower Into a Spa with These Zero Waste Eucalyptus Discs

These slow-release essential-oil tablets infuse your shower with the wonders of eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus discs on a botanical background

Free the Ocean

Have you ever hung a sprig of eucalyptus in the bathroom? Or maybe used eucalyptus-scented bath products? If so, you understand the appeal. Eucalyptus plus steam is magic. It is invigorating, clears your head, and, in general, does wonders for one's health and wellness.

And thus, it's no secret why there is such a thing as eucalyptus shower discs.

Aside from smelling like a lovely, spicy forest, eucalyptus turns out to be a powerful botanical. One comprehensive review from researchers in India looked at 103 studies analyzing the benefits of eucalyptus. The study concluded that the "evidence reviewed herein suggested that several Eucalyptus species possess anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-nociceptive, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, etc., activities."

While we're not claiming that a shower disc is going to be a cure-all, if it smells great, wakes you up, and may have a little health boost to boot, well, sign us up. That eucalyptus oil is a renewable resource created from planet-friendly processes makes it even better.

Our favorite plastic-free shop at Free the Ocean, where the purchase of every product funds the removal of plastic from the ocean and coastlines, offers a plastic-free version packaged in a reusable glass jar. Handmade in the United States, the Eucalyptus Steam discs are available in regular (9 pieces) and mini (4 pieces) sizes; each disc lasts for about two showers. 

We like the ingredient list, which is comprised of sodium salts, natural clays, plant-based stearic acid, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, menthol, and eucalyptol. Basically, the discs work as an essential oil slow-release system—place a single disc in the shower corner, and as the product gets wet, it dissolves and releases essential oils into the shower steam.

“The beautiful glass packaging (no plastic!) is what first caught my eye with these shower discs," says Free the Ocean founder Mimi Ausland. "Then, the smell! It immediately makes you feel more relaxed before you even get in the shower. It’s a simple and sweet way to treat yourself when you’re feeling sick or need to clear your head.”

To purchase or learn more, visit the Free the Ocean shop. The jars start at $17.95, and each purchase removes 10 pieces of plastic from the ocean. A spa day is just a shower away!

In support of Free the Ocean's mission to clean up the ocean and reduce plastic use, we feature a product from their plastic-free shop each month. (Note: We do not earn any commissions from these recommendations.)

View Article Sources
  1. Nikhil Chandorkar, Srushti Tambe, Purnima Amin, Chandu Madankar: A systematic and comprehensive review on current understanding of the pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, and clinical implications of the genus Eucalyptus, Phytomedicine Plus, Volume 1, Issue 4, 2021,