A compress is a herbal fluid wrapped on the body and kept warm. It is beneficial for swellings, pains, colds, and flus. It stimulates blood circulation and warms the area of the body where it is placed. It is a wonderful way of applying herbs that may be too strong to take internally in large amounts (e.g. Ginger).

To make a compress, simply start by making either an infusion or a decoction of the herb you want to use. Dip a small cloth into the fluid, and soak for 5 minutes so the cloth absorbs the tea. Lift the cloth out of the tea and quickly wring out, and place on the part of the body it is needed. Immediately cover the cloth with a towel and a hot water bottle and then another towel to cover everything so the whole lot is kept warm. Leave on for 20 minutes.

When making your infusion or decoction, you can make it much stronger then what you would drink. Follow the normal directions of making an infusion or a decoction, however instead of using 1 teaspoon of herb to 1 cup of water, use 25g of herb to 1 cup of water, and make approximately 2-4 cups of herbal fluid - this should be a sufficient amount of fluid for the compress.

Fresh Ginger compresses are good for alleviating colds, sore throats, pains, cramps, coldness, and any type of congestion such as sprains, excessive mucus, and strained muscles. Ginger is very stimulating to the circulation thus aiding in clearing toxins from the body. Place over the lower abdomen to treat pains, spasms, poor digestion, coldness, and menstrual cramps; place over the chest for congested lungs, cough, asthma and pneumonia; place over the lower back to treat aches and pains, poor digestion or low energy;

Vervain compresses are really good for alleviating liver congestion.

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