Chamomile abdominal wrap
A folk warming wrap from the Hausmittel tradition. A cloth, a strong chamomile infusion, twenty quiet minutes lying down.
Steps
Prepare three cloths
A small inner cloth of cotton, an outer linen cloth, and a wool cloth on top. Lay them out near the bed or sofa where you will lie down afterwards.
Brew a strong infusion
Three heaped tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers into half a litre of just-boiled water. Cover and steep ten minutes, then strain.
Soak and wring the inner cloth
Dip the inner cotton cloth into the hot infusion. Wring it out firmly, so it is warm and damp but no longer dripping. Test the warmth on the inside of your wrist; it should feel comfortably warm, not hot.
Lay on, wrap, lie still
Lay the damp cloth on the belly, just below the ribs. Wrap the linen and then the wool around the middle, snug but not tight. Lie down with a blanket. Twenty quiet minutes. Take everything off when it cools.
Avoid concentrated chamomile preparations on known allergy to compositae (the daisy family). External wraps with a regular infusion are normally well tolerated. Skip on broken or irritated skin, on a fresh surgical wound, or on an unexplained acute abdominal pain that needs a clinician first. The wrap is meant to feel warm, never hot; test with your wrist before laying it on.