Herbal heating pads relieve body aches associated with muscle and menstrual cramps, headaches and joint pain. These soothing herbal pads may also help you sleep, relieve tension, anxiety and coughing with the right combination of herbs. Natural-holistic-health.com recommends a blend of three dried herbs per heating pad in conjunction with three to four herbal essential oils added to the mix for maximum aromatherapy benefits.
Lavender
English lavender is the most common type of lavender used to make herbal heating pads and in other herbal medicines and treatments. Dried lavender and lavender essential oil are used as a sedative and relaxant in aromatherapy. Research studies in Japan, Korea and the United Kingdom have shown that lavender essential oil may help relax muscles, improve insomnia and depression, enhance appetite, aid pain relief, enhance mood and reduce agitation. One Italian study showed that lavender oil may help reduce cancer risks. Blend lavender oil with other essential oils such as chamomile, ylang ylang, lemon or geranium to make a relaxing herbal heat pad.
Chamomile
Include dried chamomile and/or chamomile essential oil in your herbal heating pad to help relax your mind and your muscles. In a study published by the American Chemical Society and reported by Sciencedaily.com, drinking chamomile tea can help relax muscles, act as a sedative, boost the immune system and help fight infections associated with the common cold. Chamomile is used externally in aromatherapy as a relaxing agent, often combined with lavender or rose.
Ylang Ylang
Ylang Ylang is another herb that you may wish to include in your herbal heating pad. According to Depression-Guide.com, ylang ylang may help reduce stress, relieve depression and act as an aphrodisiac. This herb has a powerful scent that can cause headaches and an allergic reaction in some people. Ylang Ylang blends well with lavender, sandalwood, bergamot and grapefruit essential oils.
Jasmine
In aromatherapy, jasmine essential oils are used as a mood enhancer, to reduce anxiety and depression, as an aphrodisiac and to relieve menstrual cramps. The uplifting aroma of jasmine is also used to treat coughs, hoarseness and laryngitis. Add jasmine to your heated herbal pad as a blend with rose, sandalwood or any citrus oil.
Sweet Basil
Sweet basil essential oils are used in aromatherapy to uplift, energize, refresh and clarify. Combine sweet basil oil in your herbal heating pad with lavender, clary sage, bergamot and lime oil. The floral-spicy scent of sweet basil oil can be long lasting.
