you just take a cotton sock and put some raw rice in it - and sew or tie off the other end - then put it either in the freezer for cold packs or in the microwave for a couple of minutes for warm moist heat packs.
of course you can also use flax seeds, buckwheat seeds, etc. - but as most people have rice around - this is easy to make in a hurry!
Replied By Karmala (Templeton, Ca) on 01/23/2010
I add dried lavender buds to mine which provides wonderful aromatherapy. I have also used peppermint leaves, orange rind, lemon rinds, rose petals. Just be sure that whatever you add to your sock is dry. Also, I have used cotton balls with essential oils that I mix in with the rice. There are many, many options. In addition to the rice socks, I make rice packs using small towels. I get the small, white cleaning towels that come bundled by the dozen. I sew 2 together to form a sack. Then, I sew the sack into "tubes". I pack the tubes with rice,then sew the top. These are great for your back! I also made some of these for my horse by sewing together 2 beach towels- 1 was left intact, the other was cut open in the middle to form pockets that I can slide the rice packs into. I then drape it across her back, shoulders, neck... works great!Replied By Ellienc (Reidsville, North Carolina, Usa) on 01/24/2010
These are wonderful! I use combinations of dried herbs (lavender particulary) in my rice packs. Just after a minute or two in the microwave, the comfort is immediate. Great idea about the cotton balls and the eo's! Will try that too!Replied By Sharon (Sparks, Nv Usa) on 04/27/2010
Corn bags are my new favorite. You need to buy feed corn (it's dried out) and when you sew your bag, leave a little elbow room in it so you can adjust to fit the area you're treating. I like them better than rice bags. Same thing...heat in microwave, or chill in freezer.