Healing with Essential Oils: Aromatherapy Compresses
Basics
Making aromatherapy compresses for various ailments and injuries is easy. With a clean cloth, hot or cold water, and the right essential oil, you can experience the healing therapy of aromatherapy in comfortable of your ownhome. Apply relieving aromatherapy compresses to bruises, sprains, headaches, and other conditions. Essential oils relieve aches, pains, and minor wounds as well as soothe the mind and the spirit.
Making the Compress
An aromatherapy compress is a cloth soaked in water and essential oils. Make a compress solution by adding six drops of essential oil with two cups of distilled water. Place a clean cotton cloth in the aromatic water. Soak the cloth. Squeeze out the excess liquid, and apply the compress to the affected area. Wrap the compress around the injury or ailing area with plastic wrap. Keep the compress in place until it cools or warms to body temperature. Reapply if needed.
Selecting Essential Oils
There are a number of essential oils that provide relief for a variety of injuries and ailments. Essential oils work well with compresses. Ginger, eucalyptus, chamomile, and lavender are effectively used in compresses. Ginger relaxes and warms stiff or sore muscles. Eucalyptus oil soothes the fire of sunburn and relieves sprains, arthritis, and headaches. Chamomile eases burns and menstrual cramps. Use the healing properties of lavender for bruises, migraine headaches, bruises, and rashes.
Hot or Cold?
Deciding whether to use hot or cold compresses depends on the condition. Hot compresses stimulate circulation toward the affected area and ease muscle pain. Use a hot compress for abscesses, boils, and muscle cramps. Cold compresses are effective for bruises, headaches, and swelling. Ceratin conditions are best treated with alternating hot and cold compresses. Sprains and arthritis respond to alternating heat and cold. Change compress every three minutes. End with a cold treatment.
Bruises and Sprains
Apply cold aromatherapy compresses to bruises. Soak a clean cloth in two cups of distilled water with two drops each of lavender and tea tree essential oils and two drops of witch hazel. Tea tree and lavender increase the rate of healing. Witch hazel is an astringent that reduces bruising. Sprains or strains are best treated with alternating hot and cold compresses. Apply three to four drops each of ginger and lavender oils or three drops each of cypress and eucalyptus oils in one-half cup of distilled water. Ginger and lavender increase circulation and reduce swelling. Eucalyptus cools and cypress oil promotes circulation to the injured area. Alternate heat and cold every three minutes, ending with cold.
Treating Headaches
A cold aromatherapy compress with chamomile, lavender, and lemon essential oils soothes a headache. Two drops of chamomile, three drops of lavender, and one drop of lemon oil in one-half cup of cold distilled water provide powerful painkilling relief for headaches. Lie comfortably in a quiet, dark room. Keep the compress applied until it warms to body temperature. Reapply if needed. Rest and draw in soothing relief.
Learning to make an aromatherapy compress is easy and allows you to treat many ailments in the comfort of your own home.