Abstract: A disposable body warmer comprises a heat generating material and a structure for retaining the material. The retaining structure may be provided on its one side with a reflecting material. The heat generating material consists essentially of at least one oxide of alkaline earth metals such as magnesium oxide with a plate crystal structure and, if necessary, contains an additive such as a salt selected from the group consisting of chlorides and sulphides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.