How to Make Aromatherapy Rice Bags

Aromatherapy rice bags are great gifts and easy to make. Use them as cold or hot packs to soothe aching joints or to relieve headaches. The rice in the bag absorbs moisture from the air, staying either hot or cold for long periods of time. Simply heat the rice bags in the microwave for 1 to 3 minutes, or keep in the freezer so it is ready to use. You should not thaw a frozen rice bag in the microwave, however. It is recommended that you have two aromatherapy rice bags: one for cold use and one for hot. Aromatherapy rice bags can be made into any shape, but the most common is a square shape. Assemble your supplies before beginning the project; you can easily make several rice bags in 1 hour.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Uncooked white rice
• Dried herbs
• Needle
• Thread

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Instructions

Process

• 1

  Fold fabric in half and cut the desired shape through both layers of fabric. A good size is about 10 inches by 14 inches.

• 2

  Fold fabric so the right sides are facing together.

• 3

  Pin together the fabric, leaving a 2- to 3-inch gap on one of the edges.

• 4

  Sew the edges together with a standard size seam. Leave the gap unsewn for now.

• 5

  Turn the fabric inside out.

• 6

  Fill the bag with rice about three quarters of the way full.

• 7

  Add a couple of teaspoons of your favorite dried herb. An easy way to do this is simply to break open a couple of herbal tea bags and put the loose herbs into the bag with the rice. Allow 1 teaspoon of herbs per 1 cup of rice.

• 8

  Fold the gap in the bag closed, and secure with stitching using the needle and thread.

• 9

  Shake the rice bag, making sure the rice and herbs are completely mixed together.