How to Make Scented Rice Microwave Heat Packs

Use rice to make a homemade heat pack.

Soothe aching muscles without paying for an expensive aromatherapy heat pack. Using long-grain rice and lavender essential oil, these homemade packs can be heated in the microwave to release the scent and warm the interior. Using the packs on sore muscles can ease tension and bring relief.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cotton tube sock
• Funnel
• 2 pounds long-grain rice
• Lavender essential oil

1. Fill a long tube sock with rice. socks 5 image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com

   Insert a funnel into the top of a clean cotton tube sock.

2. Pour 2 pounds of uncooked long-grain rice through the funnel into the sock.

3. Remove the funnel, and add 5 drops of lavender essential oil directly on top of the rice in the sock.

4. Tie a knot in the end of the tube sock to close it.

5. Microwave your scented rice heat pack for one to three minutes on high. microwave image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com

   Place the sock in the microwave for one to three minutes on high power until warm.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the tube sock with another sock to allow for easy cleaning. Remove the top sock and launder as usual, then replace.

• Use other essential oils to create scents you find pleasing.

References

• University of Missour Health Center: Use of Heat and Cold for Pain Relief
• The Melrose Mirror: Homemade Heating Pad
• Sew Mama Sew: Rice Heat Therapy Pack with Essential Oil
• Daily Spark: Homemade Rice Sock with Essential Oil