How to Make a Poultice
A poultice is an old-fashioned remedy used to draw out infection and speed the recovery of the ailment. The poultice will work to increase to blood flow to the infected area and relax the muscles all the while soothing inflammation. Poultices can be used for boils, joint pain, abscesses, sprains, sunburns, and a range of other conditions.
1. Choose the herbs
Poultices are usually made with fresh or dried herbs, each herb has many different healing properties for thousands of ailments. Check out our home remedies section to find more pointed advice.
2. Make the poultice
Use a mortar or a pestle to ground the herbs into a powder or mush. Dried herbs will make a powder whereas fresh herbs will make a mush. Add some warm water to form a paste, not to soupy.
*If you are using fresh herbs it also helps to add some water (make it kind of soupy) and let simmer on the stove until some of the water is gone and it is more of a paste.
3. Prepare the actual poultice
On a flat surface place a clean piece of linen, muslin, gauze, or white cotton sheet that is large enough to cover the affected area. Spread the herb mixture onto the cloth.
4. Apply
Cleanse the area with peroxide, then place the poultice over the skin, wrap with a towel and pin it to secure.
5. Let it sit and do its magic
We recommend letting the poultice sit from 10-24 hours and if the pain has subsided you are in the clear, but it is wise to repeat daily for a couple of days.
