Compresses are nothing more than a piece of cloth soaked in a tea or tincture of an herb and applied to the affected area of the body. They can be either hot or cold and are useful for treating body aches and pains, headache, sore throat and skin conditions.

Show Ads

[edit] Steps

Start with a cold compress. If you want to make a cold compress, make strong tea with the herb you want to use and allow it to cool.
Soak cotton balls or a strip of fabric in the mixture.
Place cotton balls on a clean cloth to make it easier to apply them to your skin.
Add another piece of fabric or a scarf to tie the compress to your body.
Spruce it up. When the compress warms, add a few more drops of tea.
'Leave on as long as needed. A cold compress can be kept on through the night if you like.
Try a warm compress. To make a warm compress from freshly steeped tea... Soak the cloth while the tea is still warm.
Apply it to your skin or area affected.
Reapply the compress when it has cooled down by soaking the fabric again in the warm tea.

[edit] Tips

How to make a chamomile compress: A chamomile compress is commonly used as a relaxant; chamomile is also an antihistamine that has anti-inflammatory properties.
Chamomile is commonly found in tea bags. Make a tea using one or two bags in about half a cup of water and allow to steep for five or 10 minutes before making your compress. Soak a cloth in the warm tea and apply to the affected area throughout the day.

[edit] Warnings

German chamomile instead of Roman chamomile should be used, as Roman chamomile can cause allergic reactions.
Chamomile might add to the blood-thinning effect of prescription medicines such as Coumadin or similar drugs. This herb has tranquilizing properties therefore it's best to avoid mixing it with alcohol and/or anti-anxiety drugs such Xanax and Ativan.