Poultices:

Poultices are topical in nature applied to the external part of the body using crushed plants or other matter of various sources. This can be prepared and made into various versions depending on the issue you need to treat and were. Mixing herb material alone for example such as comfrey, chamomile with a base line like slippery elm, flaxseeds (also known as linseed’s), or breadcrumbs /or bread.

Herbs can be wrapped in cloth to apply or applied directly to the area and then covered with poultice with plastic (cling wrap) as well as the cloth is mostly recommended as this will increase heat and protects from seepage.

Many other plants and foods can be used in this way for example:

• grated onion -is antiseptic and anti -inflammatory
• grated Potatoe (cold) and raw can be used for, burns, inflammation drawing
• grated carrot or onion mix with polenta and equal volume of boiling water can be used for inflammation or suppuration.
• slice of bread soaked in milk is also used sometimes as a soothing poultice
• green cabbage applied is used a soothing poultice and remove heat.

Compress:

Compresses (or fomentations) are cloths soaked in herbal extract and applied to the skin.

Any extract can be used -infusion, decoction or tinctures.

Poultices and compresses can be used hot or cold. A hot application will increase the circulation to the area, a cold one will reduce circulation to the area. Heat relieves circulatory congestion and cold forces blood and fluids away from the site. Heat can therefore relieve spasms and cold reduces inflammation.

By alternating hot and cold application increases circulation to and from a site so it will promote healing and removal of waste matter.

Poultices and compresses can be used for :

• infections, sore throats, coughs, cold, conjunctivitis.
• pain due to inflammation, congestion or spasm, arthritis, rheumatism, headaches, sinusitis, mastitis and cramps.
• injuries and wounds e.g. bruises, breaks, sprains, grazes, burns(sunburns)
• bites and strings
• to draw matter out of the skin e.g. boils, splinters.

Eye compress made with Chamomile & calendula: for conjunctivitis or any eye inflammation or strain.

1.Cover 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers and 1-2 teaspoons of dried calendula flowers with boiling water and steep with lid on for 15 mins .

2. Allow the infusion to cool to a suitable temperature (the compress may be applied warm or cool as desired.

3.Strain the infusion and soak a cloth or face washer in it. Squeeze excess gently out of the cloth and apply to the closed eyes for 5 mins laying down.

A chamomile poultice can be made by tying chamomile flowers in a small muslin bag and stepping them in boiling water until flowers have enlarged. Squeeze excess out the excess water and apply to the eyes as a chamomile compress.

Garlic and or onion can make an effective poultice when applied to the soles of your feet using a sticking plaster to keep in place socks over to keep in place. This is method is also used for chest infections if applying to children’s feet use a fine cloth to protect against sensitivity in children’s feet rub olive oil on feet prior. Another old fashion remedy is soaking socks in vinegar apple or white and apply to feet especially if fever is present (squeeze out excess before applying to feet).

Ear infections:

Bake and onion and bind half of the warm onion to the effected ear. A faster option is to warm a little olive oil gently on a teaspoon and pour a few drops into the affected ear. Infuse oil in garlic, or mullein, calendula,thuja is also beneficial.

Warning: Never use remedies in the ear if there may be a chance the eardrum has been ruptured.

Mustard seed poultice:

This poultice can be used for chest or throat infections, spasms and muscle and joint pain.

ingredients:

100g of fine polenta or semolina

20 grams of ground flaxseeds (flaxseeds have collagen in them(

10g powered mustard seeds

boiling water

optional ingredients:

For muscle and joint pain add the following, 5 grams of stinging nettle, 1 gram of cayenne pepper, 5 grams of rosemary and 10 drops of essential oil Frankincense. For tendon issues add teasel root to the mix.

Method:

1 Mix the water into the herbs and polenta to make a soft paste.

2.Spread the paste onto a cloth and fold over to make a flat pack the size of the area being treated.

3. Rub oil into the skin, castor oil would be a preferred alternative, then place the mustard pack as hot as is comfortable on the area being treated.

4. Cover with plastic or cling wrap seal then wrap in a towel or some flannelette (flani) in the land down under.to keep it warm A hot water can be used to keep the poultice hot.

Warning: Mustard poultice can burn so the patient’s sensation should be checked when the poultice is applied, then every 5 mins or so. The poultice should not exceed mor than 20 mins.

Ginger Compress.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp ginger, grated or sliced.

500 ml water

This type of pf compress is effective for relieving muscle spasm. It can be also used as an alternative remedy for acute dysmenorrhea (period pain). Follow this method twice per day when acute or twice weekly for chronic ‘pelvic congestion’. Ideally, the patient should lie down for 10-15 mins.

Method:

1.Simmer ginger in water for ten minutes.

2.Rub effected area with oil, preferably castor oil (5 to 10 drops of ginger essential oil in 15 ml massage oil can be used in replace of fresh ginger.

3.Soak cloth in the decoction you have made, squeeze out excess fluid and apply it as a hot comfortable to the affected area.

4.Seal with cling wrap or plastic and cover with a hot water bottle wrapped in a thin towel such as a tea towel.

Vinegar compress (used for headaches)

Soak a cloth in apple cider vinegar and apply to the forehead and temples.

Add few drops of rosemary, lavender or other essential oils can also be added or applied.

For swelling and inflammation by reducing congestion in the tissue (whether as a result of an injury or not). If the swelling and inflammation are due to an injury then apply RICE (, compression and elevation) should be applied at the first stage.

After the initial period of acute swelling is over, the focus (as well as reducing congestion) is to assist the removal of by -products of the inflammatory response. Alternating hot and cold treatments will aid in the process.

Extracts of Arnica (Arnica montana) and comfrey) Symphytum officinal) can be applied as a hot and cold compress or added to a hot and cold water in which the affected part is submerged. (Note that, Arnica should not be applied to open wounds). Fresh or dried comfrey can be used as a poultice on the area. If there is broken skin, calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a great antiseptic and wound healer.

Comfrey Poultice (used for bruises, sprains, or strains).

1. If using fresh plant, chop or blend the comfrey (or use a Morta and pestal) until mush texture has formed. If using dried plant, mix the herb with warm water or bot water to form a soft paste.
2. 2. Fold the herbal mash in a fine cloth forming a pack large enough for the area to be treated. Apply to the area immediately and seal with a plastic to avoid seepages.
3. Bandage to keep the poultice in place. A hot water bottle may be used if heat is required.
4. Apply a new poultice every two hours for acute injuries or leaves on overnight if the situation is less acute.

Linseed Poultice (for drawing).

1.Fill a small cloth bag with one third full of linseeds tie up the bag.

2.Simmer for 2-3 mins in enough water to cover the bag.

3. Remove bag from the heat and gently squeeze the excess water out.

4. Wrap in a clean, dry cloth and apply to the affected area ,replace with another hot bag when cool.

Slippery elm poultice (for drawing)

1.Mix 1-2 teaspoons of slippery elm powder with enough boiling water to make a soft paste.

2.Wrap paste in a thin layer of gauze or muslin and apply to the boil, pimple or splinter.

3. Cover with cling wrap and secure in a place with a bandage or band aid. Leave overnight (repeat if boil has not broken the top).

Rosemarie (The off grid naturopath)

Naturopath, Herbalist, Iridologist, Equine herbalist, Iridologist.