Lana Farson, M.S., L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist

Tips for Soaks & Compresses

DIRECTIONS FOR USING ‘SPRINGWIND’ HERBAL SOAKS & COMPRESSES

As Steam Soak:

Place herb pack in 4 cups water & bring to a boil.  Lower heat & simmer for 25 mins.  Immediately place herb pack in Ready for the Foot Bathappropriate basin & hold affected limb over the steaming liquid, drape towel over the limb to keep in steam.  When the decoction cools, bathe limb in the liquid, immersing the traumatized area if possible.  Do this 2 times per day.  To enhance the effects of the soak, add 2 tablespoons of rice wine to the water at the beginning of the steam.  Liquid can be re-used and re-heated for up to 3-4 days.

As a Compress:

When it is not possible to soak a traumatized area such as the shoulder, you will need to use a compress.  Cook the pouch in 2 cups of water, bring to a boil & simmer for 25 minutes.  Remove the bag and as soon as it has cooled enough to place on the skin, place it over the traumatized area, covering with a hot pack or hot water bottle to keep in heat.  Leave on for about 25 minutes. You can also add 2 TBS of rice wine to the hot water before taking out the pouch to enhance the effects.

hot water bag·  Soaks and compresses penetrate the skin and underlying tissues and leave them open for awhile after treatment.  It is therefore important to keep the area covered for up to an hour after application to avoid invasion of wind and cold.

·  It can be useful to follow up a steam soak or compress treatment with other herbal products that reduce pain.

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