Essential oil compresses make perfect first aid treatments. Apply an aromatic compress to relieve the pain and swelling of a bite or wound, as it can help speed recovery. An aromatic compress can also be used to relieve painful arthritic joints, stomach pain, headaches, sprains, varicose veins and sore muscles.

An aromatic compress can be cold or hot, it depends on the type of injury or pain. Hot aromatic compresses are most often used to treat chronic pain, and cold aromatic compresses are used to treat acute pain such as a first aid for injuries such as sprains. Insect bites are usually treated with a cold aromatic compress because heat can spread the poison, and period pain and arthritis are better treated with a warm aromatic compress.

You can also use an essential oil compress as a gentle way to exfoliate dead skin cells and restore a healthy glow to facial skin. Add three drops iof your favorite oil into a bowl filled with water. (Agitate the surface before you immerse the face cloth). As a treatment for your face, a compress is beneficial for the treatment of acne, pimples or enlarged dirty pores (especially if you smoke cigarettes).
To apply your aromatic compress, wring it out slowly until it stops dripping, though with ample water still left on the cloth. Open it out flat over your palms and apply to your skin using a press and release
action. Repeat this process three times to help the lymphatic system cleanse any impurities.

A few other points :

• Hot compress are particularly helpful for the treatment of backache, period pain, rheumatic and arthritic pain, earache and toothache. Cold compress are helpful for the treatment of headaches, sprains, tennis elbow and other ‘hot’ inflamed or swollen conditions.
• Hot compresses dilate or open the blood vessels and bring more blood to the area. Cold compresses constrict or shrink the blood supply. By alternating hot and cold compresses, you can help stabilise some injuries and drain excess fluid and toxins from the area. This technique may me useful in the treatment of sprains or some muscles after a rigorous workout. Always start with a hot compress and finish with a cold one.
• Do not apply a compress to an infant or children up to two years of age, or several compresses over large areas of the body.

Here are useful essential oils to help first aid treatments :

• Oils with antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties to help clear and decongest, and to ease breathing :
  Bergamot, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea tree
• Soothing and antiseptic oils to help fight infection and prevent laryngitis from developing :
  Clary sage, Cypress, Lavender, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Tea tree
• Stimulating, soothing, clearing and antiseptic oils to relieve congestion and discomfort :
  Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Scot’spine, Tea tree
• Refreshing oils to help clear the chest and aid breathing :
  Cypress, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint, Tea tree
• Soothing, antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory oils to ease discomfort :
  Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender, Tea tree, German chamomile
• Soothing and antiseptic oils to diminish pain and prevent infection :
  Geranium, German chamomile, Lavender, Tea tree
• Soothing oils to relieve itching and stinging sensations while reducing swelling :
  Chamomile, Lavender, Tea tree