Preparation For External Use
Compresses
Take a clean cloth or towel, and soak it either in a hot or cold herbal infusion or
tincture or decoction, or in water to which a few drops of essential oil have been added.
Then wring it out and apply to the affected area, such as the site of a headache, period pain,
backache, inflamed joints, or varicose veins. Repeat several times for good effect.
Liniments
Liniments, also called embrocations, are rubbing oil used in massage to relax or stimulate
muscles and ligaments or soothe away pain from inflammation or injury.
They consist of extracts of herbs in an oil or alcohol base, or a mixture of herbal oils
and alcohol tinctures of your chosen herbs. They are intended to be absorbed quickly through
the skin to the affected part and for this reason often contain stimulating oils or cayenne
to increase local circulation.
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