Common Fomentation
A traditional herbal compress or warm soak made with mallows and chamomile flowers, used for general therapeutic purposes to soothe inflammation and provide comfort. This external application can be used for minor aches, swelling, or skin irritation.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Dried mallows (Also known as common mallow (Malva sylvestris); available at herbal supply stores)
- 0.5 ounce Dried chamomile flowers (German or Roman chamomile; available at health food stores or herbal suppliers)
- 1 pint Water (Approximately 2 cups)
Instructions
- 1Measure out 1 ounce of dried mallows and half an ounce of dried chamomile flowers. Place them in a medium saucepan.
- 2Add 1 pint (2 cups) of water to the saucepan with the herbs. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- 3Once boiling, reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil. Continue boiling for 15 minutes to extract the beneficial properties from the herbs.
- 4Remove from heat and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bowl, discarding the spent herbs. The resulting liquid is your fomentation.
- 5Allow the liquid to cool to a comfortably warm temperature (test on your wrist first). Soak a clean cloth in the warm liquid and apply to the affected area as a compress, or use as a warm soak. Reapply as needed while the liquid remains warm.
