Wraps (envelopes) and covers

Sabine Schrör is a freelance writer for the medical team. She studied business administration and public relations in Cologne. As a freelance editor, she has been at home in a wide variety of industries for more than 15 years. Health is one of her favorite subjects.

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Wraps or envelopes and pads are a gentle method to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Many wraps and pads work with water and herbal ingredients such as herbs or oils. Even foods like quark or mustard are suitable for wraps and toppings. Read more about the effects and uses of wraps and pads here!

What are wraps, envelopes and pads?

Wraps and poultices are two different terms for one and the same treatment method: The complete wrapping of the body or part of it, usually with a healing substance (quark, medicinal herbs, etc.). Frequently used wraps are for example:

Neck wrap
Shoulder wraps
Chest wrap
Pulse wrap
Foot wrap
Knee wrap
Calf wrap

In contrast to the wrap (envelope), a pad is only placed on one part of the body. A small amount is also known as a compress. The warm chest compress, for example, is popular. A cold compress or pad can be pleasantly cool for bruises and insect bites. A warm compress on the eye can do good for a stye.

The cushions also include pillows and bags with various active ingredients, such as grain pillows (cherry stone pillows), hay flower pillows or lavender bags. You can make them yourself or buy them ready-made, for example in the pharmacy.

How do wraps (envelopes) and covers work?

How a wrap or pad works depends on the one hand on the temperature (cold / warm). There are moist-cold and moist-warm applications as well as dry-cold and dry-warm applications.

On the other hand, added healing substances (ginger, quark, thyme, essential oils, etc.) can influence the effect of wraps and pads.

With moist wraps and pads, active substances from medicinal herbs, quark & Co. can penetrate faster and deeper through the skin into the body than with dry applications.

Effect of warm wraps and pads

Warm wraps and pads (moist or dry) bring warmth to the body. The vessels are placed wide so that the blood can flow better. That means: Warm wraps and pads increase the blood flow to the treated part of the body.

But internal organs can also be better supplied with blood. Because each area of skin is connected to a specific organ via nerve plexuses and the spinal cord. If the nerve pathways in the skin register a stimulus, this signal is passed on to the associated organ via peripheral nerves and the spinal cord.

When it is warm, the organ vessels also expand. The organ concerned is better supplied with oxygen and nutrients, waste materials are removed more quickly. In this way the efficiency of the organ increases.

Warm wraps and pads also have an effect on muscle tone, i.e. the tension in the muscles. Due to the wide-open vessels, the muscles are better supplied with blood, which lowers the muscle tone - the muscles relax and loosen up. The relaxing effect can also relieve pain and be generally calming.

Last but not least, warm wraps and pads have a diverting effect. They stimulate sweat production and thus promote the excretion of metabolic waste products such as urea and uric acid. However, the same applies to water and table salt. That is why you should drink a lot after a warm compress, preferably water, fruit spritzers or herbal tea.

Effects of cold compresses and pads

Cold removes heat from the body and constricts the blood vessels. This reduces the blood flow. Cold compresses and pads can have a decongestant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and (as a calf compress) reduce fever.

Effect of various medicinal substances

The effect of wraps and pads naturally also depends on any active ingredients that may be used. These include herbal ingredients such as ginger, thyme, sage, lavender, hay flowers and horseradish. Food like quark, mustard, honey and lemon are also good for wraps and toppings. Here are some healing substances and their effects in detail:

Vinegar compresses / pads: Applied cold, vinegar compresses and pads inhibit inflammation and cramps. Cold vinegar leg wraps have an antipyretic effect.
Onion wrap / pad: Among other things, they have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, which is used, for example, for colds.
Lard gusset / pad: Warm lard gussets have an antispasmodic and relaxing effect. They are used in particular as chest and neck wraps for coughs and hoarseness.
Beeswax wrap / pad: The beeswax keeps the wrap warm for a long time and thus increases the supply of heat (e.g. as a chest wrap or pad for coughing).
Mustard wrap / pad: The mustard oil produced when the mustard seeds are ground has a strong skin irritation, increases blood flow, and inhibits germs and inflammation.
Horseradish wrap / topping: The mustard oil described above is also formed when grating horseradish.
Honey wrap / pad: Warm neck or chest wraps with honey have an anti-inflammatory effect (e.g. for bronchitis). Honey also has a disinfectant effect (e.g. a honey pad for skin inflammation).
Lemon wrap / pad: Warm lemon wraps around the neck can relieve sore throats. Because the lemon contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.
Ginger wrap / pad: Warming pads and wraps with ginger have a mildly irritating effect on the skin and increase the heat supply (not only on the surface, but deep down into the body).
Acetic acid clay wraps / pads: Cold acetic acid clay pads and pads disinfect, cool and constrict the vessels.
Flaxseed compress / pad: A warm flaxseed compress relieves tension and relieves pain.

How are wraps (envelopes) and covers made?

You can get pads and ready-made changing sets in the pharmacy. But you can also use your own material, for example handkerchiefs, linen napkins, towels, kitchen towels and woolen scarves or knee socks. Safety pins or adhesive plasters can be used for fixing.

It is important that you use natural fabrics such as cotton, linen or wool for wraps and pads. Because synthetic materials let neither air nor moisture through. With warm wraps, heat can quickly build up because the heat cannot escape.

Wraps and pads: that's how it works

As a rule, three layers of cloth are required for a wrap:

Inner cloth: It carries the active substance (e.g. quark) and is placed directly on the skin. A thin cotton or linen cloth that is slightly larger than the part of the body to be wrapped is suitable.
Intermediate sheet: It helps to keep the moisture and the wrapping temperature. The best thing to do is to use a cotton cloth.
Outer cloth: It is mainly used for warming wraps in order to store the heat in the wrap for as long as possible. A wool scarf, for example, is suitable for this.

The inner cloth is coated with the respective healing essence or, in the case of damp wraps (such as leg wraps), dipped in warm or cold water and wrung out. Then the inner cloth is wrapped around the relevant part of the body and fixed with the intermediate cloth and, if necessary, an outer cloth.

For an overlay (or compress), apply the active ingredient (e.g. finely chopped onions, warm, mashed potatoes) to a cotton or linen cloth of the appropriate size. Knock something in (so that nothing falls out), place it on the affected part of the body and fix it with a gauze bandage, for example.

Recipe examples

You can buy a variety of ready-made wraps and pads in pharmacies or health food stores (e.g. beeswax compresses or wraps). But you can also easily make many yourself. Some examples:

Onion pad

A warm onion pad has proven itself especially for sore throats and ears. You can find out more about the production and use in the article onion sachets.

Honey wrap / pad

Heat four tablespoons of dark organic honey in a water bath until it is runny. Add eight tablespoons of boiling water and stir well. Soak a cloth in it. For a wrap, place this cloth around the chest or neck as an inner cloth and fix it with an intermediate and outer cloth.

With a honey pad, place the cloth soaked in the honey mixture on the chest or neck and fix it with a bandage or a scarf.

Both the wrap (envelope) and the pad can be left on overnight.

Lemon wrap / pad

Mix the juice of half an organic lemon with 50 ml of lukewarm water. Soak a cotton or linen cloth with the lemon solution. Place the scarf on your neck or wrap it around your neck. When wrapping with a cotton cloth and then wrap with a woolen scarf. For an overlay, fix the soaked cloth with a bandage, scarf or towel, for example.

Ginger wrap

For a ginger wrap for the breast, pour two tablespoons of ginger powder over a cup of hot water. Let the mixture steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Then add some more hot water and stir well. Now soak the inner cloth well in the ginger pulp and place it on a piece of baking paper. Wrap both with the ginger side up around the victim's chest. Then, as usual, cover with an intermediate and outer cloth and fix in place.

You can still support the effect of the wrap by placing a hot water bottle between the intermediate and the outer towel.

Flaxseed compress

For a flaxseed compress, swell about three tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 300 to 500 milliliters of water in a saucepan at a low temperature until a thick paste is formed.

Put the hot pulp on a gauze compress, fold into a packet and wrap with a tea towel. Place the compress on the affected part of the body, cover with a cloth and fix.

How are wraps (envelopes) and pads used?

It is best for the person concerned to lie relaxed on the bed, with a protective pad underneath them to prevent the bed from getting wet (if the diapers / pads are damp).

In the case of warm wraps, it is important to check the temperature before applying it and to observe how the person concerned reacts to the warmth. If you feel unwell, you should remove the wrap immediately.

You should not use ice-cold water for cold compresses, as this can quickly lead to frostbite. It is better to use lukewarm water and watch how the person concerned reacts to it. Ice packs / ice packs, which are made from crushed ice and are wrapped in a cloth, are an exception.

Exposure time

Cold compresses are removed as soon as they have reached body temperature, usually after about 10 to 15 minutes.

Warm wraps can take effect much longer, an hour and more are possible.

In general, if the person concerned finds the warmth or cold uncomfortable, remove the wrap or pad immediately.

For whom and how often?

In this regard, there are various recommendations from experts for the various wraps and pads. In general, for example:

Onion wrap / pad: Suitable for adults and children from four years of age. In the case of severe pain, you can use the application three to four times a day.
Honey wrap / pad: It is best to leave these compresses on overnight. They are especially good for young children.

Lemon wrap / pad: Suitable for adults and children from four years of age. Leave on for about an hour. You can repeat the procedure twice a day.
Ginger wrap / pad: Suitable for adults and children from four years of age (but only use with caution in children because ginger is skin irritating). Leave on for about 10 to 30 minutes. Repeat two to three times a day.
Flaxseed compress / pad: Suitable for adults and children. Let it work for about 30 minutes. Use once a day.

Discuss the use of swaddles and pads on babies with your pediatrician first. With a dry cough, a warm chest compress (lemon compress) can help the little one. On the other hand, a baby wrap is only advisable if it does not have a fever.

Remove wraps and pads

Remove envelopes or covers carefully - sometimes the active ingredient sticks to the skin. Use lukewarm water to wash off the remains. Then you can apply a care lotion or a care oil to the treated area of the skin to soothe the irritated skin (for example after a compress or a layer of skin-irritating ginger).

Rest afterwards

Wraps and pads should relax, among other things. You should therefore take your time for it - also for the rest afterwards: After removing the compress or the pad, stay there for about an hour to support the effect of the home remedy.

Which complaints help compresses (envelopes) and pads?

Wraps and pads can help with a wide variety of complaints and illnesses.

Cold compresses and pads are mainly used for acute complaints such as bruises, insect bites and headaches.

Sometimes, however, warmth can also do good for acute complaints, for example with painfully tense muscles, sore throats and ears. In addition, hot or warm compresses and pads are often recommended for chronic complaints and illnesses (such as rheumatism or osteoarthritis) that have existed for a long time.

Some examples of common uses for wraps and pads are:

Cold symptoms: Warm neck wraps / pads (e.g. with potatoes) relieve sore throats. The cold Prießnitz neck wrap helps with acute strep throat.
Bronchitis and cough: Effective pads / compresses for coughs and bronchitis can be prepared with lard, onions, thyme, sage, beeswax or honey.
Inflammatory, painful joint diseases: For example, warm compresses / pads with hay flowers, onions, mustard, potatoes or cabbage can help with rheumatism or gout.
Asthma: A warm mustard or thyme chest compress relieves the airways in the event of asthmatic complaints.
Migraines and headaches: They can often be relieved with a cold forehead compress, for example with eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
Acute joint pain, bruises, muscle injuries: Cold compresses / pads with quark, lemon, acetic acid clay or lemon as well as ice compresses inhibit swelling and pain.
Insect bites: Ice wraps as well as cold wraps or pads (e.g. with acetic acid clay, onion, quark) also help against swelling, pain and inflammation.
Sinusitis or sinusitis: The medical treatment can be supported here with a warm horseradish wrap.
Otitis media: Here too, home remedies such as an onion or horseradish pad can complement the medical treatment.
Wraps for fever: Cold (vinegar) calf wraps or pulse wraps can reduce fever by up to two degrees Celsius.
Abdominal pain, intestinal cramps, constipation: a warm stomach wrap or a stomach pad (e.g. with potatoes) can alleviate the symptoms in the digestive tract.

When is it not advisable to use wraps (envelopes) and pads?

Cold compresses remove heat from the body and reduce blood flow. They should therefore not be used in:

severe sensitivity to cold
acute urinary tract infection (e.g. cystitis)
Increase in fever (chills)

Warm wraps are not suitable if the person concerned cannot tolerate heat very well, especially as a result of heart problems.

If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to an active ingredient such as ginger, lemon or essential oils, you should not use them for compresses and pads. You can test individual sensitivity by applying some of the substance in question to a small area of skin in the crook of the elbow. If skin reactions such as reddening, swelling or blistering develop, you should avoid the substance in question.

Wraps and pads are not a substitute for medical treatment of serious illnesses. Therefore, always consult a doctor first if you suspect that the symptoms could have a serious cause. This is especially true with children. The doctor can clarify the symptoms and, if necessary, initiate appropriate therapy. Wraps and pads can then support them.

Home remedies have limits. If the symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not get better or even worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.

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