External Applications in Anthroposophic Nursing

Aurum Lavandula Heart Compress

Kind of substance

Aurum/Lavender/ Rose Ointment (Weleda)

Guiding principle for the application

Heart ointment cloths with aurum-lavender ointment have a subtle and pleasant aroma, so patients very much appreciate them. The application can have a protective and calming effect in cases of nervous unrest or where there is difficulty in falling asleep.
The person can feel centered and stabilized by this application.

Guiding Principle for the substance

Indications

  • Difficulty in falling asleep or sleeping through the night, also in connection with persistent worrying (see example case)
  • Palpitations
  • (Support in cases of) vegetative cardiovascular disease
  • (Support in cases of) cardiac arrhythmias
  • (Support in cases of) hypertension
  • (Support in cases of) anginal complaints
  • Postoperative delirium
  • Panic attacks in connection with palpitations (see example case)
  • Anxious nervousness and uneasiness
  • Exam anxiety
  • During the dying process

Instructions

Materials

  • Inner cloth, ca. 12 x 12 cm
  • Aurum/Lavender/Rose Ointment
  • Wooden spatula or knife
  • Hot water bottle
  • Outer cloth made of cotton or wool, somewhat larger than the inner cloth


Instructions
  • Apply a thin layer of ointment to the inner cloth, creating a shiny surface.
  • Lightly warm the ointment compress on a hot water bottle and lay it on the heart region.
  • Cover it with the outer cloth
  • Leave on for at least 1 hour, possibly overnight


Follow-up
  • The inner cloth can be stored in a plastic bag for repeated applications, apply a little more ointment for each treatment.

Evidence
Has worked well for many patients
Dosage
1–2 x daily or overnight
Onset of effect
Often immediately; some patients feel the effect only after several applications
Length of therapy
As needed; there is no reason to avoid long-term application
Other recommended therapies
The ointment can be rubbed into the wrists instead of applying a heart ointment cloth (see example case)
With patients who are very restive and agitated, the heart ointment cloth can be replaced by applying a thin layer of ointment to the skin over the heart region

Instructions to download

Case example

A 53-year-old female patient with breast cancer on the left side and liver metastasis, as well as bronchial cancer on the right side, status post radiation therapy.
The patient suffered from sleep disturbances caused by inner disquiet and strong anxiety. Her panic attacks were connected with heart palpitations and tachycardia. A heart ointment cloth with aurum-lavender ointment was prescribed. She then became quieter at times and could sleep better.
Eleven years later during a different hospital stay the patient reported that she had found the heart ointment cloth with aurum-lavender ointment to be so helpful that after her previous discharge she obtained the ointment and kept it in her handbag.
Whenever she experiences fears and strong heart palpitations she discretely rubs some onto the inside of her wrists, using a circular motion. She has repeatedly found that this calms her racing heart and thereby also lessens the accompanying fear.
CW

Author

Red., CW

Bibliography

  • Fingado M. Compresses and other therapeutic applications. A handbook from the Ita Wegman Clinic. Edinburgh: Floris Books; 2012.
  • Weleda Arzneimittel und ihre Wirkungen. Therapiehandbuch für die Medizin. Weleda Verlag 1st ed. 2006. 
  • Vademecum of anthroposophic medicines. 3rd English ed. with CD. Munich: Association of Anthroposophic Physicians in Germany; 2017.

Deutsch  English  Nederlands  Español  Français  русский  Magyar
DisclaimerRegistered AddressContactPrivacy PolicyTopTop