The poultice made with beneficial herbs is a natural remedy that can quickly heal an area, fight inflammation, and improve blood circulation.
By using a combination of ingredients such as powdered clay, salts, charcoal, and even essential oils, along with leafy herbs, you can create a poultice by infusing these healing combinations into a piece of cloth and placing it directly on the affected area or on the soles of the feet.
The poultice is an excellent option because the affected area comes into direct contact with these natural remedies, allowing for immediate absorption through the skin and ultimately eliminating any infection. The soles of the feet are areas where the skin can more easily absorb the natural remedy you apply.
What can poultices concretely do? They have been shown to help treat skin diseases, diabetic ulcers, insect bites, muscle pain, colds, coughs, congestion, and many others.
What is great about a poultice is that you can apply it directly to the source of pain or inflammation, and it is completely natural, providing rapid benefits.
Types of Poultices
According to a study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, a poultice made using Houttuynia cordata (HC), also known as fish mint, rainbow plant, chameleon plant, heart leaf, or Chinese lizard tail, a herbal remedy commonly used in Japan, was very effective in treating skin problems.
The HC poultice studied was prepared from the fresh leaves of the plant and used for the treatment of skin diseases. The study showed antibacterial effects against certain infections, suggesting that HC can be very effective for skin problems and inflammation that develop bacteria.
This type of remedy also helps with insect bites and muscle pain. An Epsom salt poultice is excellent for insect bites. The magnesium found in Epsom salts can help relieve pain and inflammation caused by injuries, such as sprains, as well as swelling that may result from an insect bite.
An Epsom salt poultice can also help reduce pain associated with muscle aches or relieve pain caused by colds.
Poultices have proven to be excellent for relieving coughs and congestion. An onion poultice can work wonders for flu-like symptoms, including cough and congestion.
Onions have a high content of sulfur compounds, such as thiosulfinate, sulfoxides, and other cysteine sulfoxides, which give onions their distinct taste and cause tears when you slice them. The thiosulfinate found in onions has the ability to kill salmonella and E. coli.
Epsom Salt Poultice
Take a quantity of Epsom salt that you believe will cover the affected area. If it is a small area, then half a cup should be sufficient.
Mix with enough water to make a thick paste, then gently cover the area you wish to heal. Cover with a warm, damp towel and secure it with plastic wrap to keep the towel in place.
Let the poultice absorb into the skin for about 20 minutes and then rinse off.
Onion Poultice
A simple onion poultice can help alleviate flu-like symptoms, including cough and congestion.
To prepare, slice an onion and sauté it for a few minutes with a little coconut oil. Add some freshly grated ginger and garlic, about a tablespoon each. Mix and remove from heat.
Place the mixture in a thin cotton bag or on a piece of thin cloth and wrap it as a poultice. Place it directly on the chest and leave it there for at least 30 minutes.
Precautions
A poultice is great, but be mindful of the ingredients before application. If you have sensitivity to any of the ingredients, discontinue immediately. If you heat a poultice, do not apply it when it is hot. Make sure it cools down sufficiently to avoid burning the skin.
Poultice with Herbs and Essential Oils
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons freshly grated or chopped turmeric
2 tablespoons chopped lemongrass
2 tablespoons freshly grated or chopped ginger
1/2 small onion, raw, sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 drops essential oregano oil
10 drops essential eucalyptus oil
white cloth or muslin
Preparation Method:
In a pan over low heat, add the coconut oil and sauté the ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, onion, and garlic. You can cover it for a few seconds to let it steam. You can use a little water if necessary, as you do not want it to burn.
Remove and transfer the ingredients to a bowl to cool.
Add the essential oils and mix well.
Then, spread out the cloth. Take a large spoonful of the mixture and place it in the center of the cloth.
Now fold it in such a way as to wrap the contents.
Place the poultice on the affected area for 20-30 minutes two or three times a day.
You can store it in the refrigerator and reheat it in a steamer or microwave, using it four or five times before making a new one.
