DIY Aromatherapy Rice Bags (Natural Heating Pads)

Whew, what a week! We FINALLY closed on our house, and after moving and unpacking for 3 days straight my muscles are sore and ready for some relief. Which is why these DIY aromatherapy rice bags really come in handy; they’re an all-natural way to relieve muscle tension and provide relaxation. Simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oils depending on your needs and you’ll be all “CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY!” minus the Calgon from ages of yore (I’m totes dating myself here, but a child of the 80s never forgets those commercials.)

So which oils have been in heavy rotation this week?

Deep Relief, Lavender, Peppermint, Pan Away, Stress Away, and AromaEase to name a few. Plus I’ve been putting Rosemary and Eucalyptus Globulus in my Epson Salt baths and sighhhhhhhhhh, perfection!

Anyways, these DIY aromatherapy rice bags are natural heating pads. You heat them in the microwave, add your oils, and ahhhhhh! No really, I almost wrote this post in just sighs and ahhhhhhs because that’s truly the best description of how these feel. Or you can toss them in the freezer for a cooling effect, which is equally as ahhhh inducing.

How to Make DIY Aromatherapy Rice Bags with Essential Oils

Materials:
Fat Quarter of 100% Cotton Material
6 cups rice (uncooked)
10-20 drops essential oil
Needle and thread (or sewing machine)

Directions:
1) Fold the material into thirds length wise (hot dog style). Cut along each fold to make three strips of material.

2) Cut each strip of material in half again. You should have 6 rectangles.

3) Line up two rectangles on top of each other with the pattern facing in. Sew three sides of the material, leaving one side. Turn the bag right side out.

4) Mix together uncooked rice and 10 drops of essential oils (more or less, depending on how strong you want the scent) and let sit for about 10 minutes so it absorbs. Scoop rice into the bag.

5) Fold the material of the open end inside itself for about inch long. Pinch the ends together and sew it closed.

6) To make the smaller rice pad fold one rectangle in half, but only sew 2 sides. Fill the bag with 1 cup of rice then sew shut.

7) Heat in the microwave for two minutes and check the temperature of the bag before laying it over your neck, shoulders, or other areas that could use relief. You can also freeze it for an aromatherapy ice pack. You can add more oils to the fabric as needed, too!