Compresses

A compress is a piece of cloth soaked in an herbal infusion and applied to the skin.

Start with a strong infusion and use it to dampen a washcloth or piece of flannel. Wring out the excess and apply the cloth as hot as possible (but not so hot as to burn the skin) lightly over some area of the body that needs care and attention. Reapply as the compress cools, keeping the area covered moist and warm.

One might use compresses with relaxing aromatic herbs to address headaches and stiff muscles. One might also use a ginger compress on the abdomen for intestinal cramping and bloating. Or perhaps decongestant aromatic herbs on the chest for damp stagnation in the respiratory tract.

I tend to recommend drinking a cup of the tea (depending on the herb) before soaking the washcloth or flannel to restore function both from the inside and out.

This is a kind preparation to offer for someone else, and I honestly tend to forget about it when I could use one myself. This may also be due to the labor intensiveness of this preparation, as compresses need to be changed as they cool. Perhaps when offering this to another person, be that a partner, roommate or family member, there is a sense of healing in the process of being so well taken care of.

Have two washcloths or pieces of flannel on hand, one to soak in the pot of tea while the other is being used.