Essential Neck Wrap

Using a warming neck wrap can help soothe sore muscles and enhance relaxation. When used in combination with essential oils, a neck wrap can provide additional relief and aromatherapy benefits. Here are three tutorials (divided by skill level) that will teach you how to make your own neck wrap. Even if you don’t consider yourself a crafty person, you will be surprised at how easy it is to make your own. Have fun!

ADVANCED LEVEL

Items Needed
½ yard flannel or cotton cut into two 8x20 inch pieces.
6 cups flaxseed or rice
Sewing machine
doTERRA essential oil(s)

Instructions

1. Cut fabric into two 8x20 inch pieces.
2. Place pattern sides (pretty sides) together and pin along edges.
3. With pattern sides together, sew a ¼ inch seam all the way around the fabric, leaving a three-inch opening on the short end, and turn right-side out.
4. Divide the length of the fabric into four equal sections and mark with a fabric marker.
5. Loosely fill the first quarter with two cups of rice or flax seeds.
6. Sew on marked line. Repeat until all four sections are filled.
7. Sew opening closed.
8. To use, microwave for two to three minutes and add two drops of essential oil on the outer fabric.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Items Needed
Kitchen towel
6 cups flaxseed or rice
Sewing machine
doTERRA essential oil(s)

Instructions

1. Fold towel in half longways (hotdog style).
2. Sew around the edges, leaving a three-inch opening. Turn right side out.
3. Divide the length into four equal sections and mark with a fabric marker.
4. Loosely fill the first quarter with two cups of flax seeds or rice. Sew on marked line. Repeat until all four sections are filled.
5. Sew opening closed.
6. To use, microwave for two to three minutes and add two drops of essential oil on the outer fabric.

BEGINNER LEVEL
Items Needed
Tube sock or dress sock
3 cups flaxseed or rice
doTERRA essential oil(s)

Instructions

1. Pour flaxseed or rice into sock.
2. Tie a knot in the top of the sock. 
3. To use, place in microwave for two to three minutes and add two drops essential oil.

Tip: If you smell burning while microwaving your heating pad, you are microwaving it too long. Try cutting down the heating time or lowering the power setting to 50 percent.

Tip: Use the leftover fabric to make hand warmers.

Note: If you don’t have a microwave, heat your heating pad by putting it in an oven-safe dish and heating it in the oven at 150°F for 15 minutes. Remember to set a timer and to frequently check your heating pad to make sure it doesn’t get too hot and become a fire hazard.

CAUTION: The heating pad will be very warm and can burn you if you heat it for too long. Start by putting your heating pad in the microwave for one minute, and then increase by 30-second increments until you have achieved desired temperature. If you accidentally heat it for too long, let it rest until it becomes cooler. You might also want to place a wash cloth or towel against your skin to act as a barrier and to ensure you don’t get burned in case you heat it more than intended.