Rice bags are a wonderful little item used to relieve headaches, sinus pressure, and muscle and joint aches. When flowers and herbs are added to the bag, they can be used for stress relief and aroma therapy. They take literally minutes to make and can provide years of relief!
Materials:
10" square of soft, tightly woven fabric (I love using flannel)
1 1/2 – 2 cups rice (do not use dehydrated rice, like Minute Rice)
Optional: 1 – 2 tablespoons dried herbs or flowers. (Note: avoid using herbs or flowers that have a high oil content. These can become rancid, or if using it near your eyes, can be an irritant.)
1] Cut a 10" square.
2] Fold in half with right sides together. Pin.
3] Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew around the 3 pinned sides, leaving a 3 inch opening in the center of one end. Trim corner seams to reduce bulk.
4] Turn right side out and iron.
5] Fill with rice. You may chose to add 1 or 2 tablespoons of herbs or dried flowers.
6] Slip stitch opening closed.
To use:
1] Microwave for 30 – 60 seconds. Start with a shorter time and test. The rice should be warm… not hot. WARNING: Do not overheat. It could cause serious burns!
2] Place on desired location. Remember… it should be warm, not hot!
Note: Always heat in a clean microwave. If your microwave is less than clean, like mine can be, place you rice bag on a plate or dishtowel. You cannot wash the rice bag, so once it gets dirty you need to throw it out.
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A suggestion I found on another site is to make a “pillowcase” type cover for this bag. That way you can remove the cover and throw it in the wash and not have to throw the bag out when it gets dirty. I made my bag of a nice sturdy pillow ticking type cotton and then a flannel cover. Since I love the idea of using it as a foot warmer I really like being able to toss the cover into the wash, and I can also have one bag but a separate cover for my eyes when needed.
It makes sense to cover bags with removable, washable covers. Pillow ticking would be a wonderful material to make the base. Very sturdy. Thanks so much for sharing your idea 🙂
I’ve been making (and using) these for years. I endorse the suggestion of removable outer covers. The bags can also be used for cold therapy by placing them in the freezer for a few hours or overnight – best to use a nice soft fleecy fabric to slip them into before applying to the bruise or strain, to minimise the risk of ‘freezer burn’.
I also find that either wheat or maize (not bulghur wheat, cracked corn or popping corn but just ordinary whole wheat grain or maize grain that you can get from animal feed suppliers) smells nicer and stays warm – or cold! – longer than does rice. Rice is easier to get hold of, though.