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September 15, 2024

Happy Scentsational Sunday, Reader!

In this day's note, let's talk about the purposes of compresses and when to choose a cold one versus a hot one. You'll also find out how to make and apply one, too!

Compresses are wonderful to use, even on the daily, if you like. They can be incredibly comforting, too.

How to Make a Compress

First, you can make a quick, easy compress by dipping a clean washcloth in cold or hot (not boiling) water, wringing it out, and applying it to the affected area. But if you want to power it up, using an herbal tea or better yet, essential oils, can be very effective.

Just add 3-5 drops of essential oil or a blend of essential oil to the pot or bowl of cold or hot water.

"Pain, especially, affects our emotions, and luckily, you can use essential oils in compresses to soothe both!"

When to Use a Hot Compress

• Menstrual cramping
• Tummy aches
• Respiratory congestion
• Earache
• Toothache
• Arthritis or any "cold" situation
• For comfort

Essentially, hot compresses are great for the times in the list above and also for issues like bruises and sprains AFTER a couple of days have gone by and swelling and inflammation has subsided.

When to Use a Cold Compress

• Skin inflammations of various kinds
• Swelling
• Painful or distended varicose veins
• Fever
• Bug bites
• Rashes

Cold compresses are wonderful for these "hot" situations, and can be helpful at the immediate onset of injury, when swelling and acute inflammation are taking place in an area.

Here are some conditions and some ideas for you to try:

Muscle Aches and Pains/Stiffness

I really like hot compresses for relieving muscle aches because the heat goes right to work to relax the stiffness. It also increases blood flow to the area, and this can warm and support comforting and feeling better.

Good essential oils to try include Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Peppermint (Mentha x piperita), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

Menstrual Cramps/Tummy Cramps

If you or a loved one suffers monthly from the discomforts and bloating of menstrual cramps, hot compresses can be exceedingly helpful. Hot compresses can go right to work to relax the agitation of uterine muscle.

I like to use Clary sage (Salvia sclarea), Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), Lavender, Ginger, Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), and Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis), and Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana). I really like blends for this situation.

Chronic Pains (Arthritis, Gout, etc.)

This is another situation meant for the hot compress, and the heat may even help improve mobility. On a cold morning, give this a try.

Essential oils to try include Eucalyptus (E. globulus), Sweet marjoram, Ginger, Frankincense (Boswellia spp), Black pepper.

Acute Injury (Sprains, Strains, Bruises, Spasms---like when you put out your back, and other situations with a great deal of inflammation)

You can use ice water and follow the same directions as above with the essential oils. Blends are great!

These are essential oils I like for these situations: Frankincense, Lavender, Chamomile (German) (Matricaria recutita), Peppermint

Headaches, Including Migraines

The cold can help alleviate the throbbing and pain by numbing the area to an extent while also soothing emotions and reducing inflammation.

Try Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Bug Bites, Rashes, and Other Skin Issues

Cold to the rescue again!

Try these skin loving and soothing essential oils: Chamomile (Roman), Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), Lavender, Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).

If you want, try adding some colloidal oatmeal to the water, too.

Troubleshooting Your Compresses

Be sure the temperature isn't too hot or cold for the person you're working with, and use a clean cloth (important). You don't want to start an infection.

Dilute! You don't need a lot of essential oils....just a few drops. Therefore, if you want to use several different essential oils, make up your blend FIRST, shake well, then drop 3-5 drops of the blend into the water.

You can also use strong herbal teas or hydrosols. If you use the tea, you can use it as the liquid by itself. For hydrosols, you can add 1/4 cup or so the water.

NOTE: As you know, I am not a medical doctor, and you should always check with your doctor before using herbs and essential oils.

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An INVITATION.....

I'm going to be giving my FREE workshop on the Five BEST Herbs for Your Home Apothecary soon, for the last time this year. It's an hour or so long workshop where we cover five herbs that:

• are easy to find in the grocery store
• are easy to grow in your garden or in a pot
• have MANY uses medicinally
• and more

You'll find out about their practical applications too!

The workshop comes with a 29 page FREE guide that also includes growing information and recipes and remedies to start making right away!

**This may be the last time I do this training live. I'm working on more surprises for 2025! If you haven't been to this workshop, now's the time! Seats are limited.

Be sure to register even if you know you can't make it to a live session so you can enjoy the replay for a few days. That's FREE too!

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What I'm Up To....

As you read this note this morning, I'm actually in San Diego on a much needed visit with my daughter. She amazingly had a break from her time in medical school, as she's getting ready to apply for residencies, and she asked if I could visit!

I was so excited! What could I say but, "Absolutely!"

So, today, we're hopefully relaxing on the beach or doing a little shopping or visiting a botanical garden together. I'll share pictures next week! I haven't had the chance to see her much in the past few years, so I'm just thrilled.

You may not know this, but she used to help me write some of the books and content for the Confident Herbalist Tribe years ago!

"As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." --Isaiah 49:15

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I hope you enjoyed finding out a little about how to use essential oils in compresses this day, and let me know if you try any of these suggestions!

I'm a 100% firm believer that everyone needs to be ready for emergencies and smaller issues too, with natural remedies from plants.

Why?

They work!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

P.S. Don't forget to click this link now and go register for the FREE workshop! Please forward this along to a friend who might like to join you!