The Herb Lover’s Spa Book (St. Lynn’s, 2015), by Sue Goetz shows that you don’t need to go out for a relaxing spa experience. Her book walks readers through her extensive herbal knowledge, and how to best use each herb to ensure a natural and nurturing spa-like sensation in your own home. In the following excerpt, she shares the method behind her lavender heat pillow.
This comfortable pillow can be draped over the neck and shoulders and is perfect to bring along if you are going into a public sauna. As the environment and your body heats up, the rice becomes humid and fragrant lavender aroma will be released in your personal space.
What you’ll need:
• 1 cup dried lavender buds
• 4 cups uncooked white rice
• 14 x 24-inch cotton hand towel or 100 percent cotton fabric, prewashed
What to do:
• Mix the rice and lavender buds together in a bowl and set aside.
• Fold the fabric in half (right sides together) and stitch along one end and the length opposite the fold. Turn right side out and press.
• Fill the open end with the lavender-rice mixture. Stitch closed.
For general use as a hot pack on sore muscles or across the back of the neck as a headache soother: Heat in the microwave for approximately one minute or until warm, not burning to skin. The rice stays warm and the lavender will release its aromatic, healing fragrances. Can be used repeatedly.
More from: The Herb Lover’s Spa Book
• Home Herbal Spa Kit
• DIY Herbal Oatmeal Bath Soak
Reprinted with permission fromThe Herb Lover’s Spa Book, by Sue Goetz and published by St. Lynn’s, 2015.
