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Cold Herbal Compresses

1 Min Read
Chamomile with Lavender tea bags next to cold compress
Updated on June 14, 2024

Whether you’re trying to cool yourself down during a heatwave, or take the tension out of a tough day, cold herbal compresses are fast and easy herbal remedies. They can increase skin tone, soothe tired eyes, and add a natural glow to your face. And taking the time to lie down and enjoy this herbal remedy does wonders for your state of mind. Calming, soothing and revitalizing for your head, neck, chest or feet, cold compresses are a fast way to give your body the tender loving care it needs to take a break and cool down.

Compresses—or fomentations, as they’re often called in herbalism—are clean linens or washcloths soaked in hot or cold herbal infusions to help accelerate your body’s natural healing process. Used hot or cold, depending on your situation, they can bring energy to the compressed area of the body and help the body focus on healing.

Towels and Tea boxes on table

Chamomile with Lavender: This herbal combo is the perfect dose of total calm when you need it most. Fragrant, beneficial and relaxing, it’s a great tension-buster. We recommend using this on your forehead, neck, or chest to help you slow down. Consider supplementing with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil.

Peppermint: Refresh your spirit with the minty goodness of peppermint. Our peppermint is high in essential oils, making it as aromatic and uplifting as it is mildly tingly. This one feels great on tired feet after a long run or hike.

Green Tea Peppermint: Reignite your summer sparkle with the mildly invigorating boost of green tea and the minty refreshment of peppermint. Try it on your face or tired eyes.

Cold Herbal Compresses

Cool down, calm, soothe and revitalize with this easy-to-make herbal remedy.

Materials

  • 2-4 cotton or linen wash cloths
  • Large glass bowl
  • Plate/ lid for the glass bowl

Ingredients

  • Two herbal tea bags per each towel.
    • Tea suggestions: Chamomile-Lavender, Green Tea Peppermint, and Peppermint.
  • 1 cup of water per each towel used
  • Essential oil suggestions:
    • Lavender: calming and soothing
    • Peppermint: energizing and cooling
    • Eucalyptus: invigorating and awakening

Directions

  1. Make a tea concentrate: Bring water to a boil. Place tea bags in a glass bowl, and cover with water. Cover and let steep for 15-20 minutes, until thoroughly cooled or place in the refrigerator to chill quickly.
  2. Soak a clean cotton or linen washcloth in the tea concentrate and allow it to become fully saturated. Then gently squeeze any excess tea out of the cloth. It should be heavy and wet, but not dripping.
  3. Lay towel flat, and apply two drops of desired essential oil. Be careful – we don’t recommend applying undiluted essential oil directly onto your skin.
  4. Roll or fold the washcloth and apply to the head, neck, chest or feet.
  5. Relax and enjoy this restorative herbal practice.

*As the cloth warms to body temperature, it should be changed out with a fresh towel.

Optional: for an even colder compress: follow directions 1-2, roll the cloth and place on a plate in the freezer for 5 minutes. Remove and apply.

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