Sometimes I just need a good hug, and this Herbal Hub Microwavable Aromatherapy Wrap gives gooood hug. 🙂
If you live anywhere within 500 miles of a HomeGoods store, I’d start driving there immediately. LOL!
But seriously, next time you go, make a beeline for the bath section, and see if you can find one.
I think they’re regularly $20, but HomeGoods has them marked down to $12.99, and they’re worth every penny (thanks for the awesome rec, Marisol!).
It’s shaped like one of those airplane neck pillows, except that it’s soft like a beanbag and filled with herbs and magic beads (actually, cinnamon, clove and eucalyptus…for aromatherapy!).
You can warm it up in the microwave or chill it in the freezer (if you use it cold, it’s supposed to reduce swelling and ease headaches), and the magic beads retain the heat or cold for about 20 minutes. You can use it on your neck, your shoulders, your back or wherever, and it REALLY helps.
So far I’ve only used it warm, and when you heat it up in the microwave, it releases a soothing herbal scent, ahh…
It’s great for relieving muscle tension after a long day, and um…have I mentioned that I’m 26 weeks pregnant now and that my back aches pretty much from the moment I open my eyes in the morning till the moment I fall asleep at night?
But this thing sure helps, and now I use it every day.
Best dang $13 I’ve spent in a while…
I like to tuck it into the back of my maternity pants (sexy), or sometimes I’ll wear it around my neck to relieve tension in my shoulders.
Super great gifting potential, too. I can’t even imagine life without it anymore.
By the way, the aromatherapy scent is VERY strong. I love it, but you might want to give it a sniff test first in the store to make sure you like it.
And if you can’t find it at HomeGoods, it’s also available online (except that the price is $20…but I think it’s still worth that).
Your friendly neighborhood Herbal Hug addict,
Karen
LindaLibraLoca says
My back isn’t so much of a problem this pregnancy, but my symphysis is killing me!
Karen says
Lucky you to have no back issues! Mine have now started to keep me up at night. Ahh, it’s all temporary…
LindaLibraLoca says
And so worth it.
Ruchita says
This looks amazing! I have lower back issues and I think this would help relieve some of the stiffness. Now I gotta see if I have time to make a Home Goods run during lunch hour. 🙂
Karen says
Yay for HomeGoods runs! I found mine near the bath stuff. It was in an endcap display in the section by the towels. I hope you can find it. Heck, it might be even worth it to get an extra one just to keep it at work. 🙂 Oh, and by the way, the kitties might hate it. Whenever I have mine on Tabs doesn’t want anything to do with me.
Jessica says
That’s really cool!
I would get one except I don’t have a microwave.
I’m one of those weird people who does not microwave and I don’t have a tv either.
Jessica says
Also Karen- try taking prenatal yoga for your back. I did and I had no back pain at all. it really does work. <3
Karen says
OK, thanks! I keep meaning to go to a class but have been so busy lately. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Kiss & Make-up says
I’d run around with this in my neck ALL the time!
Karen says
I practically do, haha.
Carolyn says
I’ve had something like this for years and love it, but I recently bought an electric heating pad and it has changed my life! Now instead of getting up every half hour or so to reheat the wrap, I can have the heating pad on as long as I want. It’s so good after a hard workout or just a long week. I’m sure this will help you immensely throughout your pregnancy Karen.
Karen says
Hi Carolyn,
I used to have one of those back in the day but I think it broke. Thanks for reminding me about it! I think I might pick one up so I do heat in multiple places. 🙂 Do you happen to remember the brand of your heating pad?
denise S says
I’m sitting here with my electric heating pad on my lower back. It’s made by Sunbeam. I think I brought it at Walgreens, CVS or Target it’s been a while but they all sell them.
Karen says
OK, cool. I’ll see if I can find one on amazon. 🙂
How was Thanksgiving at the restaurant, by the way? Did you enjoy it?
denise S says
We went to the Hard Rock Casino complex. And had dinner at Council Oak Steak and Seafood Restaurant. It was elegant but too much smoke from the casino for me. I was the only one to order traditional Turkey dinner, lol. My son has lobster, my husband had steak and my daughter has king crab legs. I think I’ll cook next year, lol.
Karen says
It’s always good when you don’t have to cook or clean up afterwards, right? I hope that food was good… It sounds like it was yummy!
Kim says
Sounds lovely! I like the aromatherapy part and it seems really generously sized. We have a couple of homemade versions using corn. The boys like to heat them up and bring them to bed in the winter. They make everything smell liked popcorn, which is nice if you’re into that. 🙂
Karen says
I’m into that. I wouldn’t mind falling asleep to the scent of movie theater popcorn, LOL! How do you get the corn not to pop, though?
Kim says
Apparently you have to use “dried corn kernels”. I think popping corn is made differently, but I don’t know what the difference is, except visually. The dried kernels look just like canned/frozen corn kernels but they’re hard and more brownish (popcorn kernels, as you know, are round).
You can just sew a cotton “pillow” in whatever size/shape and fill it with the kernels, then sew it shut. I say “just” but I’ve never made one with my sketchy sewing skills. 🙂
Karen says
Hmm. Going to do a search. I want a massive body-sized pillow filled with them, LOL. Warm and smells like popcorn — yes, the perfect thing for bedtime.
denise S says
I’ll stop in Home Goods and pick up one. I have a aromatic neck wrap and eye mask.Both can used hot or cold. I suffer from sciatica and my Mom gets migraine headaches . I brought the eye mask for her and she keeps it in the freezer and loves it!
Karen says
Hi Denise,
I get migraines too and this has helped me a lot; it might help your mom too:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wellpatch-migraine-cooling-patches-menthol-%26-lavender-oil/ID=prod6070304-product
Sandy P says
Karen, thanks for all this info. Both my daughter who also reads and posts here…Kim P-Cole…suffer from migraines. Need both of these ASAP
Karen says
You’re welcome Sandy and Kim. 🙂 I hope this helps!
denise S says
Thanks Karen! I’ll pick these up for her!
Karen says
You’re welcome, friend! 🙂
Stephanie says
If nothing else, pick up a maternity belt. I had one with Ashley that had a pocket that came with a hot/cold reusable ice pack in the back. After you were postpartum, you switched it to the front. I want to say it was a Belly Bandit, but oh my God, that helped SOOOO much. That and the Boppy Wedge Pregnancy pillow under my bump.
Karen says
I saw that Boppy Wedge Pillow online yesterday and contemplated getting it. So it makes a difference, then?! At this point I’ll do anything to sleep at night because I’m so uncomfortable. Ahh, it’s all temporary (which is what I keep saying to myself over and over again).
Allison C says
I definitely could use this so many ways! I need to go to HG tomorrow
Karen says
I hope you can find it!
Sara says
I neeeeed this!
Karen says
It’s so great! I hope that you give it a try. (I’m wearing mine right now.)
Erin says
I could use that right now!
Sofia says
Irrelevant i know…but i could not wondering what nail polish are you wearing!!!
Lauren says
Ooo I want!! Poor girl with your back pain. Have you tried a prenatal yoga? Supposed to help immensely. Also helps for an easier labor and delivery! Feel better, my friend!