Heat therapy can soothe sore muscles, ease joint pain, or even help you to relax after a difficult day. If you opt for a herbal heat pack, soothing aromatherapy may add to the benefits of a heat pack or wrap. Purchased herbal heat packs are available, or you can make your own, customizing the herbs and size to your personal liking.
Types
You can make a heat therapy pack using rice, buckwheat hulls, feed corn, or cherry pits. Flax seed should be avoided for heat packs, but may be used for cold packs, according to the Garden Web site. You can include dried herbs or essential oils in your herbal heat pack. Choices for herbal heat therapy include lavender, chamomile and peppermint for sore muscles, or spearmint and eucalyptus for congestion.
Function
Heat from a microwavable heat pack can reduce joint stiffness, pain and muscle soreness, and may provide substantial relief. While cold packs may be more helpful in the initial stages of an injury, according to the CVS Health Resources website, heat is helpful for lingering or chronic pain. A herbal heat pack may ease lower back pain, menstrual cramps or the discomfort of sprains and injuries.
Considerations
Choose a 100 percent cotton inner layer for your herbal heating pack. Customize the size based on your needs. A larger heating pad is appropriate for back or menstrual pain, while a smaller tube style can work well for neck discomfort. If you need a heating pad in a hurry, a cotton tube sock and cotton yarn or string to tie it up offers a quick alternative. Make a separate, washable cover for your herbal heat pack to allow for laundering ease.
Features
Cut two pieces of cotton fabric that are each 1 inch longer and 1 inch wider than your desired finished herbal heating pack. Place the two pieces of fabric with the right sides of the fabric together. Sew around three sides using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Press 1/2 inch of the fabric under at the top edge, and fill with rice or buckwheat hulls. Add herbs or essential oils. Sew across the top edge.
Size
If you are making a large herbal heat pad, you may find it helpful to sew channels in the heating pad. Mix your herbs and essential oils with the rice or other filling, and pour in a small amount of the filling. Sew a seam across the bag, then add more filling. Repeat until you have completely filled the herbal heating pack. This will keep the buckwheat hulls or other filling evenly distributed throughout the heating pad, according to the All Free Crafts website.
