Whether you have headaches or menstrual cramps, pull a muscle or need to warm cold feet, having your own herbal heating pad handy to soothe what ails you is a real treat. Making your own scented heating pad is easy, inexpensive and fast. Scent it with whatever variety of herbs and essential oils you like. Choose from lavender, marjoram, mint, rose petals, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, rosemary, basil or thyme.
Step 1
Choose a filler from the list of food provided. Smaller seeds are better for headache packs and larger seeds and kernels work best for large muscle areas.
Step 2
Cut two pieces of cloth for each bag you are making. The shape is up to you, but square or rectangular usually works best. Cut a piece large enough for the intended use: about 8 by 5 inches for a headache pad, about 12 by 10 inches for the abdomen. Leave enough along the edge for the seam allowance, suggests the Tipnut website.
Step 3
Sew the two pieces of cloth together with the wrong sides facing out. Sew on three sides and inward from each end of the fourth side, leaving a small section, about 3 inches long, unfinished in the middle of that side.
Step 4
Make an extra cover to use as a case so you can remove it to wash it when it gets soiled. Leave one end open when you sew the cover together, but hem the edges to prevent fraying.
Step 5
Turn the bag right side out and fill it with the beans, grains or seeds you chose. Add any herbs or spices to scent the filler.
Step 6
Sew together the opening you left in the hot pack. Slide the pack into the cover. Place the pack in a microwave oven for 1-3 minutes to heat.
Step 7
Shake the warm heating pad gently as you remove it from the microwave to distribute the heat evenly, suggests the Tipnut website. Place the pad on your body wherever you need it.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a tube sock to make a mini herbal hot pack. Fill it as described and tie off the end. If you use essential oils for scent, place the beans or grains in a plastic bag with a few drops of the oil, shake well and seal the bag. Allow a day or two for the oils to be absorbed into the filling before placing it in the heating pad. If you use cold packs for injuries, make an extra bag and keep it in the freezer. Do not use powdered herbs or spices, because they will eventually seep through the fabric.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric such as flannel or lightweight terrycloth
- Sewing supplies
- Uncooked rice
- Corn
- Buckwheat hulls
- Barley
- Oatmeal
- Beans
- Flax seed
- Microwave
- Dried herbs or spices
- Essential oils
