External Applications for Abdominal Pain

Doris Rapp, Caroline Weiss

Last update: 12.02.2021

Abdominal compress

  • For cramp-like stomach pain:
    abdominal compress with Melissa oil WALA
    Melissa (lemon balm) has a calming and relaxing effect.
    For instruction, see https://www.pflege-vademecum.de/melissenoel_bauchwickel.php?locale=en

  • For spasmodic abdominal pain with strong meteorism (gas and bloating):
    abdominal compress with carraway oil WALA
    Caraway has a relieving, antispasmodic and stimulating effect on the formation of gastric juice.

  • In case of intolerance to essential oils, a good alternative is an:
    abdominal compress with olive oil
    Olive oil has a warming and relaxing effect.

  • If there is a tendency to blockages and cramps:
    Oxalis e planta tota W 10%, Oleum WALA
    For instruction, see https://www.pflege-vademecum.de/oxalis_essenz_bauchwickel.php?locale=en

  • To harmonize and warm the gastrointestinal tract:
    hot moist compresses with yarrow tea

  • For abdominal cramps and flatulence
    Cuprum/Nicotiana WALA ointment compress
    Copper has a warming and antispasmodic effect, Nicotiana also has an antispasmodic effect.

Rhythmical embrocation of the abdomen

In addition to abdominal compresses, we can also treat the abdomen with rhythmical embrocation, using the substances mentioned above.

  • In case of intolerance to essential oils, a good alternative is:
    Red Copper Ointment WALA (also available as Kupfersalbe rot WALA) with olive oil

Research news

New peer-review instrument for Eurythmy Therapy validated 
Eurythmy Therapy (ET) is an anthroposophic movement therapy. In a validation study the new peer-review instrument "Anthroposophic Artistic Movement Assessment for Eurythmy Therapy (AART-ASSESS-EuMove)" was tested. Items with sufficient interrater reliability formed the following subscales: mindfulness in movement, motor skills and walking pattern. The AART-ASSESS-EuMove showed sufficient internal consistency and correlates with patient-reported outcome. The new instrument broadens methodological options of questionnaire validation and to understanding the ET. The article is published open access: 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102957.

Further information on Anthroposophic Medicine