Borage Leg Compress

Kind of substance

Borage essence

Guiding principle for the application

Phlebitis, lymphangitis, thrombosis and lymph congestion cause pain and/or a feeling of tension in the congested extremity. Movement is restricted. External warmth and letting the limb hang down worsens the problem. Borage has a refreshing, pleasantly cooling, enlivening effect on the lymph vessels and veins.

Indications

• Congested lymph

• Congestion edema during pregnancy

• Lymphangitis (see example case)

• Phlebitis

• Thrombosis

Instructions

There is also an Instructional video for this compress

Particularities

• Apply only to the calf or else to the entire leg, including the groin, depending on the indication

• Always include the feet in the compress

• Moisture protection for the bed

• 2 inner cloths for a calf compress, 2–3 inner cloths for an entire leg up to the hip, always include the foot

• Intermediate and outside cloths depending on the area of application

• Basin with 300 ml water (cool, ca. 25°C or 77°F for inflamed/hot limbs), (ca. 40°C or 104°F for cool extremities with poor circulation)

• 1 Teaspoon/ 6 ml borage essence 20%

• Possibly work as a pair

• Protect the bed from moisture, place the outer cloth ready in the leg area

• Mix the water with 6 ml borage essence

• Roll up the inner cloth, dip it into the mixture and thoroughly wring it out

• Wrap the inner cloth around the leg, beginning at the foot (leaving the toes free), and continuing upward

• Do the same with the intermediate cloth

• Cover the wet pack with the outer cloth

• If the patient feels cold, or if too much warmth accumulates due to the compress, stop the treatment

• Normally the treatment lasts 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of post-treatment rest

Instructions to download

• Instructions Borage Calf Compress
  Dateigröße: 438 KB

Case example

Lymph vessel inflammation accompanying a case of polycythemia vera
A 55-year-old male patient with polycythemia vera suffers repeatedly from inflamed lymph vessels in the calf below the left knee following vigorous physical activity. A colour-coded Doppler ultrasonography shows nothing remarkable. The approx. 15 cm wide almost circular red-livid area is overheated, painful and swollen. The patient has to lie down most of the time. Quark compresses are initially prescribed. But after a few days the patient finds borage compresses, which he applies up to four times a day, to be more effective and very pleasant. The problem clears up within three weeks.
GS

Author

US, BW, GS, Red.

Bibliography

• Fingado M. Compresses and other therapeutic applications. A handbook from the Ita Wegman Clinic. Edinburgh: Floris Books; 2012.