Compresses

Compresses are a way to use herbs topically to help heal wounds, inflammation, rashes, and skin infections; relieve pain, soreness, and spasms; improve circulation; and stimulate sweat glands and the lymphatic system.

To make a compress, soak a clean towel in hot or coldherb tea, then wring iit out and apply the cloth to the area needing treatment. Cover the damp clothwith dry towel to help it stay hot or cold. When the compress temperature changes (the hot cools down o the cold warms up), resoak the cloth in the tea and reapply. Repeat several times.

A hot compress increases circulation and is especially beneficial in cases of backache, arthritic pain, and sore throat. After the final hot compress cools down, apply a cool compress to the area briefly. Making the compress of hot ginger tea increases its potency.

A cold compress constricts blood flow and is best for hot, inflamed conditions such as swellings. when a cold-compress treatment is done,keep the treated receiving treatment. Peppermint tea makes an extremely potent cold compress.

The best indicator of whethera hot or cold compress is needed is the opinion of the patient; he or she should be asked whether hot or cold would give the best relief. In some cases,both hot an cold are needed. For example, aheadache is bestresolved by a hot compress on the back of the neck and a cold compress on the forehead.