Thursday, February 26, 2009

Eco-Comfort

I have been sick.  It started in my head and has moved down (and out) my nose to my throat and chest.  It has been days of discomfort.  I spent all day Wednesday literally in and out of sleep, chills, and sweats.  So if I miss a blog or don't comment back or visit yours right away, this is why.
The striped sack of flax you see above (along with a very supportive husband) has been my saving grace.

This is a flax seed comfort wrap and it has been my savior more than once.  Most notably when I was in labor with my youngest.  Five days before that lovely experience, some friends took me to a craft show where we walked around trying to force the stubborn one out.  That effort was unsuccessful but while we were there I found this and had an inkling that it might be helpful when the time did finally come.  

Boy was it ever!  I had the nurses keep heating it up (in the microwave for no more than 2 minutes) and bringing it to me to help with contractions and after the birth with cramping.  One of my postnatal nurses actually said every woman who comes in should have one.  

And since then I have used it time and time again; with heat for sore muscles, cold (in the freezer for 2 hours) for headaches, and most recently heated on my sore and achy muscles and chest.  

The best thing about this is that it is totally eco-friendly.  There is no electricity required like with a heating pad (except the temporary use of microwave or freezer).  If you are crafty you could make your own by repurposing scraps or stained shirt, filling with organic flax seed and sewing shut.  If you are like me and far from crafty, I have found some Etsy shops for you that feature cuter wraps then mine for less money.  I am trying hard not to be jealous.


There are all kinds of ways to indulge.  Or, if you are trying to save money (and really, who isn't) I would suggest just buying a large versatile one like mine and draping it across the different areas of your body as needed.

There are also a number of artist's who make boo boo bags for your kid's bumps and bruises.

What do you think?  Is it worth giving a shot?  Do you have your own household flu remedy?  If so, bring it on.  I am willing to try almost anything at this point.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

i love this sort of thing!! i swear by hot packs on the chest for a cold or flu, and ice packs on the head for a migraine. and chicken soup... homemade... thats the best!!! and a hot whiskey toddy never hurt nobody, neither, as my grandmother used to say. :)

Anonymous said...

same idea, but i use a cherry pit pillow. which reminds me i should go warm it up & put it in my face, stinkin' sinuses.

Anonymous said...

er, *ON* not in.

Unknown said...

Just something I did for my kids as a boo boo piggy. I took one of the little bathtime squeeze toys we had, filled it up with water, and stuck the little piggy in the freezer. We had SO many of those bath toys so I thought, why not?

B said...

I love those little heat bags (as I call them). They are just so yummy to curl up with on a cold day when my husband doesn't preheat the bed by crawling in first.

Sorry though, no flu remedies. Feel better though!

Unknown said...

I also have a smaller oblong bag that I put over my eyeballs when I have a headache... makes me feel like I'm in a spa somewhere! and can help me get to sleep better ....

babies said...

great, definitely. i have made several from old clothes i couldn't part with but were too shabby to wear. i filled them with cherry pits, though.

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful! I had one but someone was silly enough to embellish it with puffy paint that gets really hot in the microwave. So I gave up on it. You've reminded me that they really are useful, either hot or cold. I'm going to go visit etsy now!

Hope you're feeling better!

Owl and Fox said...

Whenever I'm fluey, husband makes me drink the most horrible stuff, but they do seem to help.
Recipe:
Add a teaspoon of grated ginger to a teapot, or tea strainer, along with a small clove of garlic smashed up a bit, add boiling water and steep for 5 minutes.
Then add:
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon of honey (or more if you need it, which I always insist I do!)
He makes me drink this awful concoction twice a day, but it really does help with fighting infection, and clearing your sinuses. It's not so bad without the garlic, but garlic has so many immune boosting properties that it's worth a few minutes of taste bud torture!

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Susie said...

I think it's a great idea! You should sell them on etsy:-)

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments. I hope to see you back there soon:-)

Willo said...

Ok, someone has to fill me in on what the cherry pits do! How are they different from the flax?

Groovy Baby Blog said...
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