For complete information, please refer to Essential Oils Desk Reference Topical Application1, Topical Application2
Raw apple cider vinegar nourishes and hydrates the body. Cayenne pepper aids circulation and creates heat.
I like adding one or both to compress (or foot bath) water.
January 7, 2010
Creating a compress can be very useful for some situations where a little heat with your chosen essential oil might provide just what you’re needing. I experienced that just before Christmas when a molar became infected; see that just below how to do a regular compress here).
From Essential Oils Desk Reference:
• Rub 1 – 3 drops on the location, diluted** with a carrier oil such as V-6, or neat (such as: Lavender, Copaiba, Gentle Baby, Chamomile, Ylang Ylang), depending on the oil used and the skin sensitivity at that location.
• Cover the location with a hot, damp towel.
• Cover the moist towel with a dry towel for 10 – 30 minutes, depending on individual need.
As the oil penetrates the skin, you may experience a warming or even a burning sensation, especially in areas where the greatest benefits occur. If burning becomes uncomfortable, apply a massage oil, vegetable mixing oil, or any pure vegetable oil such as olive or almond, to the location.
A second type of application is very mild and is suitable for children, or those with sensitive skin.
• Place 5-15 drops of essential oil into a basin filled with warm water.
• Water temperature should be approximately 100ºF. (38ºC.), unless the patient suffers neurological conditions; in this case, use cool water.
• Vigorously agitate the water and let it stand for 1 minute.
• Place a dry face cloth on top of the water to soak up oils that have floated to the surface.
• Wring out the water and apply the cloth on the location. To seal in the warmth, cover the location with a thick towel for 15 – 30 minutes.
My Tooth Infection Compress Story (the impatient woman’s way)
Ok, it was agonizing and I didn’t have the motivation or patience to follow the above method, here’s what I did instead…
I got out my heating pad, wet and rung out the insert cloth for creating ‘moist’ heat (you could use a well rung out wash cloth too). I applied Copaiba essential oil directly on my face, on the swollen and painful side, and then laid down and put the heating pad on that half of my face.
Now keep in mind, the Copaiba moist heat compress was NOT the only thing I did to get rid of the infection, it was just one part of the whole. The compress alone would not have addressed the infection, what it did do was provide some relief. I just wanted to share with you a quick way to make a compress if you’re not feeling well and there’s no one home to lend a hand.
** Some essential oils are considered ‘hot’ (as in spicy hot) and should be used with caution with a compress as it could irritate the skin. Essential oils that are considered ‘hot’ are: Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme, Thieves, Black Pepper. Peppermint, though not considered a ‘hot’ oil could also irriate more delicate skin too. For these, always use a carrier oil, such as V-6, use 2-4 drops of essential oil mixed with 1 teaspoon of V-6.
posted at http://younglivingcircleblog.com/