Making Aromatherapy Compresses

G'morning!!! Well, it's looking like it's going to be a wonderful beautiful day today...How is everyone doing this morning? Are you all rested and ready to get this day going?

Today I am going to tell you about Aromatherapy Compresses...These are great and it's nice to be able to make one of up right quick in an emergency...(minor emergencies, if you are hurt bad, go to hospital dang it!)

Making Aromatherapy Compresses

Compresses are a simple and useful way of treating a wide range of conditions with essential oils. A piece of clean cloth, a bowl of water (hot or cold, depending on the condition you are treating), your essential oils and some plastic wrap are all you need to make an aromatherapy compress.

Effective Healing

Applying a hot or cold compress alone is known to be beneficial in treating sprains, bruises and muscular aches and pains. By adding essential oils, with properties specific to the condition you need to treat, your homemade compresses will have even greater therapeutic effects. When you make a compress , try to remember to keep the size of the cloth in proportion to the area being treated.

How To Make A Cloth Compress

Compress are simply cloths soaked in water to which you add essential oils. The process of making them is the same whether hot or cold, apart from the water temperature.

• Add 6 drops of oils to 1 pint of water in a bowl
• Place cotton cloth on the surface of the water to soak
• Wring out all the excess water and place the wet, infused cloth over the skin of the area that needs treating
• Cover the compress with plastic wrap and bandage or cover with a towel to keep compress in place if necessary
• Leave the compress in place until it has cooled or warmed to your body temperature, then re-soak and apply as needed

Hot Or Cold?

Hot and cold compresses are used to treat different conditions, and it is important to know when to use which type of compress.

Hot Compress

Hot compresses increase circulation to the affected area and work to relieve muscular aches and pains. They can also be used for:

• Abscesses
• Arthritis
• Boils
• Cystitis
• Menstrual Cramps
• Muscle Cramps
• Rheumatism

Cold Compress

Cold Compresses, especially those incorporating ice, will reduce swelling. They can be applied to help:

• Bruises
• Fever
• Headaches
• Inflammation
• Sprains
• Swellings

Hot And Cold

For sprains, arthritis, or Rheumatism, alternate between hot and cold, changing the compress every three minutes and finishing with a cold compress.

Best Oils To Use For Compresses

There are many essential oils that can be applied in compresses, although a few are particularly versatile and may be used to help with a wide range of conditions.

Eucalyptus~Relieves sunburn, sprains, arthritis, muscular pain and headaches

Ginger~Warms stiff or aching muscles and wards off winter colds

Chamomile~Useful for treating sunburn, rashes, sprains, menstrual cramps, headaches and burns

Lavender~Helps to alleviate bruises, sunburn, rashes, sprains, burns, migraine headaches and the pain of cystitis

Blends For Your Compresses

From cuts and grazes to bruises, sprains and strains (and if you have kids, this is all the time lol), essential oils used with compresses have healing properties that can significantly help win the recovery process.

Compresses For Bruises~Apply a cold compress after a heavy blow to reduce bruising

• 2 drops Lavender oil
• 2 drops tea tree oil
• 2 tablespoons Witch Hazel (and no not a witch named Hazel..lol)
•  1 pint of cold water

The Tea Tree and Lavender oils speed up the body's healing processes. Astringent Witch Hazel is an ancient remedy for reducing bruising.


Compress For Sprains

Sprains and strains are a fact of life, especially with kids! Fast effective treatment can ensure you and your kids get back to life and playing.

After An Injury

For a first aid remedy for sports and other injuries it is best to apply alternative hot and cold compresses over the affected area.

To stimulate circulation, dispel toxins and reduce swelling:

•  1/2 cup water
• 3-4 drops  Ginger
• 3-4 drops Lavender

For an alternative blend add the following oils to your compress

• 3 drops Cypress
• 3 drops Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus will cool the affected area, while Cypress oil will also aid the circulation

Compresses For Headaches

To ease headaches, make a cold compress with;

• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 drops Chamomile
• 3 drops Lavender
• 1 drop Lemon

Both Chamomile and Lavender have powerful painkilling and soothing properties. The Lemon will cool and refresh. This is a useful blend for summer headaches caused by too much sun as well.

Well, I *hope* today's post will not be needed, but if it is, then you have these steps you can try.

My fingers and brain are pooped, my coffee cup is dry, so I will be on my way...thanks for reading and come back Monday so you don't miss how to make aromatherapy inhalers......

~Peace~