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Make a batch of concentrated tea following the methods in the tea preparation section using distilled water for the liquid. Strained liquid from an herbal steam or bath can also be repurposed for a wash. The wash can be used hot or cold depending on what it is being used for. Cold for inflammation and heat for drawing, deeper penetration and blood flow. There are many ways to use a wash; eyes, gargle for throat and mouth, wounds, skin care, and compresses.
Eye Wash
Use for eye infection, soreness, irritation, inflammation, to rinse out particles, etc.
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Fill an eye cup, small bowl, shot glass or small cup with tea made with distilled water then strain through a fine muslin bag to remove all particles.
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Place eye into cup and blink several times.
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Repeat as necessary with fresh tea.
Gargle and Mouth Wash
Fill a jar with tea, swish and gargle as often as needed for anything mouth and throat related:
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Sore throat
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Mouth sores
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Sore gums
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Mouthwash
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etc.
Skin Care
Washes work great as a facial toner after cleansing. A cotton ball or pad can be used to apply the wash or pour the tea into a spray bottle and spritz on face and over body.
Wound/Burn Wash
Use the tea solution to cleanse and disinfect cuts and wounds. Pour in a spray bottle for touchless application to burns including household and sun burn.
Compress
A compress is also known as a fomentation, which is simply a cloth soaked in a solution and applied to an area of the body. The solution could be concentrated herbal tea, diluted tincture, or an herbal oil or essential oil blended into some distilled water. It is used to relieve pain and inflammation, reduce swelling, relax areas of the body, pull toxins and to allow herbal medicine to quickly absorb into the body directly to the area of concern.
Prepare Liquid
Prepare a concentrated herbal tea or thoroughly combine a couple dropperfuls of tincture, a couple teaspoons of herbal oil or a few drops of essential into a bowl of distilled water. Liquid can be hot, room temperature or cooled (refrigerate prior to use).
Prepare cloth
Cut strips of gauze, cheesecloth, muslin, old towels or any cotton cloth. Soak in the prepared liquid and wring out lightly - just enough so that liquid doesn't drip.
Application
Apply to are of concern holding in place with a hand, bandage, another strip of cloth, plastic wrap, etc. For difficult places to wrap you can use form fitting clothing, underwear, socks, beanie, etc. to hold in place. When wrapping be sure to keep the compress loose to allow for blood flow and movement.
If using a hot compress keep applied until the compress cools or alternatively, add a heating pad to keep warm about 15 minutes.
For a cold compress keep applied until the compress warms or alternatively, add an ice pack for about 15 minutes.
Resoak and apply until desired result are achieved.
Alternative "Compress"
Reuse other herbal preparations as your compress such as a used tea bag, bath sachet, or wrapped poultice.
