- 2/3 cup 70 % Rubbing Alcohol
- 1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel
- 35 drops Essential Oil (Ex: tea tree, lemon)
- 2 drops of Vitamin E Oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil (or both)
Yields 8 oz.
1) Sore Throat ------------------------------ Heating Neck Compress / Gargle Salt Water
2) Headache ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hot Foot Bath
3) Cough/Chest Cold ----------------- Warm Bath / Contrast Shower/ Body Compress
4) Body Aches ------------------------------------- Bath /Contrast Shower / Hot Foot Bath
5) Sinus Congestion --------------------------------------------------------- Steam Inhalation
6) Bronchitis/Pneumonia ----------------------------- Contrast Shower / Body Compress
7) Sprained Ankle ----------- 1st day: (ice) then afterward (Contrast Bath to that leg)
8) Detox/Withdrawals ------------------------------ Home Russian Steam Bath/Sauna
1) Contrast Bath – Let’s say we are trying to speed up the process of healing a sprained ankle. To do this treatment we will put the sprained foot in hot water (102 degrees if diabetic) for 2-3 minutes and then afterward in the cold/icy water for 30 seconds. Do this for 3-5 changes. This treatment is easiest done on the extremities of the body.
2) Steam Inhalation – You can do this treatment several ways. The general idea is to breath in a lot of steam to help loosen up the sinuses. It usually brings about great results. You can do this treatment with a pot of boiling water, teakettle that is steaming or anything else that produces steam. If you are using a covered pot with boiling water or a steaming tea kettle you can put a towel or sheet over your head (may use an umbrella to help keep the sheet up) and around the pot or steaming tea kettle. Open the lid of the covered pot, and breathe in the warm steam. May add Peppermint, Eucalyptus, or Similar Oils.
3) Heating Neck Compress – You need to have 1 thin piece of cloth and some clear wrap with both being small enough to wrap around the neck once or twice. Then you need another thicker/bigger piece of material like wool or a scarf that will be able to be wrapped around the neck. Dampen the first, thinner piece of cloth with cold water and wrap it around the neck once or twice. Then wrap the neck with the clear wrap. Afterward, take the other dry piece of material and wrap that around the neck and pin it. Sleep with this neck compress overnight, it will warm up and help with a sore throat.
4) Heating Body Compress – You need to have 1 sleeveless cotton shirt and a trash bag large enough to cover the whole torso. You also need a thick warm sweater that can completely cover the torso. Cut out a hole on the bottom of the trash bag that will be large enough for the person’s head to go through. On each side of the bag, cut out a hole large enough for the person’s arms to go through. Now dampen the cotton shirt with cold water and wring out well. Have the person put on the damp shirt making sure it is covering the whole torso and is on bare skin. Nothing is to be worn under the shirt. Now put the trash bag over the person’s head, have them insert their arms, and tie the bag around their waist.Afterwards, have the person put on the thick warm sweater making sure it completely covers the trash bag. The person is to sleep with this body compress overnight, it will warm up and help with respiratory conditions.
5) Hot Foot Bath – Put feet in hot water (102 degrees Fahrenheit if diabetic otherwise(104) or as tolerated). Cover person and around bucket with blanket or sheet to keep the heat in. Then apply a cold compress to the head. To make a cold compress just use a hand towel or small towel and soak in cold ice water and apply to head. You can do this treatment up to 20-30 minutes. Every couple of minutes offer water to drink as well as add some hot water to the hot water bucket and re wet and cool the cold compress on the head to keep it cold. End the treatment by having the person hold their feet over the hot water bucket and pouring the cold ice water over their feet. Dry their feet thoroughly and have them rinse off with a lukewarm shower and then rest for 20-30 minutes.
6) Home Russian Steam Bath – In order to do this treatment you need something to make steam. The easiest way may be to use a hot pad with a tea kettle. Have the person sit on a chair that will not get too hot from the steam. Put the person’s feet in a bucket half full with hot water (102 degrees for diabetics).Cover person with either blanket or a special plastic drape that will cover the person and keep the steam in. Place the hot pad with the steaming tea kettle on top under the chair where the person is sitting. Make sure the spout of the teakettle is pointing away from the person’s legs and toward the back of the chair; this will protect the person’s legs from getting too much direct steam heat. Also get some cold/ice water in a basin and soak a hand cloth or small towel in it and then wring it out and place it on the head. Make sure to change the cold compress to the head every couple of minutes to keep the person’s head cool. Also add hot water to the hot foot bath to keep it at the desired temperature. The goal of this treatment is to get the person to sweat. This treatment can be an excellent detox.
Definition: - Inhaling steam, or warm moist air, to help alleviate congestion in the respiratory tract.
Treatment Indications:
- Nasal and chest congestion
- Acute or chronic irritation and inflammation of mucous membranes (tickling sensations or pain in the throat) of nose and throat due to colds
- Bronchitis, allergies, etc.
- Coughing (Warm air relaxes the muscles of the alveoli)
- Sinusitis, sinus headache
Contraindications:
- Congestive Heart Failure: A chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscles. While often referred simply as Heart failure. CHF specifically refers to the stage in which fluid builds up around the heart and causes it to pump inefficiently - Caution people with asthma as breathing hot, moist air may make them uncomfortable (bronchial tubes can close from not receiving a cool, qualitative supply of oxygen)
Physiologic Effects: - Mucus membranes are moistened, relieving irritation and congestion - Loosens secretions and stimulates discharge of mucous from throat and lungs - Increases blood flow to nose, throat, and lungs
Equipment Needed:
- Tea kettle or pot with boiling water
- Essential oils: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Wintergreen, or Pine
- 1 large towel
- Tissues Treatment
Procedures:
1. Put the tea kettle or pot on a table with a potholder underneath.
2. Add in your essential oil.
NOTE: If you use peppermint, do ONE DROP ONLY because it is very potent and can cause coughing if you add too much (same with wintergreen). Two drops can be added with the eucalyptus oil because it is mild and soothing. Using essential oils helps aid in the breathing of the moist heat as well as opening up the nasal airways for the loosening of extra mucous in the nose, throat, and lungs.
3. Next, pray. There is no power in the water, but there is power in the God who puts His hands in the water.
4. Take the large towel and place it over your head and the bowl. Make sure there are no openings of the air outside of the towel creeping in. Breathe in the steam for a duration of 15-30 minutes at least 2 or 3 times per day.
5. Throughout the treatment, have tissues readily available in case person needs to blow nose or cough out loosened secretions.
6. To complete the treatment, dry the face, make sure the person is warm, and encourage rest for about 15-20 minutes depending on the intensity of the treatment.
7. Optional: As person rests, elevate the head to where it is slightly above the body. This will help the system drain out any loosened mucous; especially if the person is sick or dealing with allergies.
Other Methods of Steam Inhalation:
A. If you have small (grand)children or a sick person who cannot move too much
Equipment Needed:
- Tea kettle or a boiling pot of water
- Essential oils: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Wintergreen, or Pine
- 1 Umbrella
- 1 Sheet
- Tissues
Treatment Procedures:
1. Follow steps 1-3.
2. Open up the umbrella and place the sheet flat over the umbrella covering all sides. As the kettle or pot is placed in an area close enough to a person lying sick in bed, place the umbrella over their head making sure the steam is trapped in with them. Hold the small child in arms as the umbrella is placed over your head and the child’s also covering the pot or kettle, ensure no heat escapes from the inside.
3. Finish treatment with steps 4-6.
B. The Bath Method
Equipment Needed:
- A bathtub
- Essential oils: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Wintergreen, or Pine
- 1 Shower curtain
- Tissues
Treatment Procedures:
1. Fill up the bathtub with the amount of heat tolerable to the person. Check using either elbow or wrist, these two areas cannot tolerate as much heat as the hand or forearm can.
2. Add in a couple drops of essential oils and close the shower curtain to trap in the heat. The person will bathe, inhaling the steam for 20-30 minutes. Make sure there are tissues for the person to use in case secretion occurs.
3. To finish off treatment, the person should dry off and get into warm clothing. Following this is a good night’s rest if done at night. If doing this method in the morning, 20-30 minutes is required.
C. The Shower Method
Equipment Needed:
- Shower room
- Essential oils: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Wintergreen, or Pine
- Shower curtain
- 1 Towel
1. Make sure temperature is hot, tolerable for the person taking the treatment. Enclose the shower with a shower curtain to keep the steam inside.
2. When the person gets into the shower, add the essential oil to the far corner so it will not run down into the drain. Have the person breathe in the steam for a duration of 15-20 minutes.
3. Allow the person to have time to dry off and get into warm clothing to get a good night’s rest. If done during the morning, take a 20-30 minute rest.
NOTE: The deeper the breaths, the more benefits will be experienced. Breathing with the diaphragm and not with the chest will cause the moist air to reach even the lowest parts of the lungs, filling it up and removing any discomfort, congestion, and loosening the build-up of mucous
