A Guide To Making Home Made Lavender Neck Wraps

By Krystal Branch


Lavender neck wraps effectively relieve pain and tension in sore muscles. Lavender is a herb which can be used to soothe joint and muscle pain. When filled with grain or rice, these herb-infused microwaveable pads conform to the muscles, thus providing greater relief. Many retail and online stores sell these products, but they can be made at home as well. The following steps provide helpful instruction in assembling one of your own.

There are various fabrics you can use for this purpose. Old shirts, towels, wash cloths or socks work nicely. Avoid using materials that contain metallic threads as these can ignite when used in the microwave. A large thick sock is a good choice, since it is already tubular and sewn around the sides.

Measure your neck. You could use a fabric tape measure and mark 0.5 inch extra to cater for the seams. For those unable to measure their neck, use the standard size of 20 inches (52 cm) and 5 inches in width. These are the measurements you will use to cut your fabric.

Choose a proper filling for this wrap. Oatmeal, barley, flax seeds and long-grain white rice are among common choices for home-made heat wrap. When using rice, avoid instant type as it may cook when put in the microwave. The choice of scent plays a major role in aiding relaxation. In this case, essential oils containing lavender could be mixed in a large bowl with other spices where necessary. Keep this for one to two days and make sure to stir regularly so that the scent could distribute evenly.

Trim the fabric to the measurements you have taken, leaving room for the seams. For a towel or sock, this is not necessary. If you are using an inner and outer fabric, cut rectangles out of both lining and cover material. The lining should be slightly smaller, about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm ).

Fold this material along its length with the inner part facing out. You could use pins to secure the cloth along the seams so that you can sew properly. Sewing is by thread and needle or a machine. Make tight seams that will not allow tiny rice grains to come out when the wrap is in use. Leave an opening of about 1 inch (2.54 cm) on one end.

If sewing an inner and outer bag, leave one end all the way open on the outer bag. You will need to open the outer bag regularly while you heat the inner. Turn the fabric right-side-out through the one-inch opening on the side. Use a funnel to pour the scented grains into the inner sack. Fill only halfway or three-fourths full, as the wrap will conform better to your body. Use a zipper foot on a machine or a needle and thread to close up the remaining seam.

Place your inner bag in the microwave and heat for 90 seconds. If it is not warm enough, continue heating in the microwave for 30-second intervals. Wrap the bag around your shoulders and neck until it cools, about 20 minutes. Depending on how much you use your lavender neck wraps, wash the fabric and replace the filler every three to six months.




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