Poultices

Materials Needed:

• Poultice substances:
  
  Powdered charcoal
  Herbs
  Charcoal and flaxseed oil (for otitis media)
  Ginger and carrot (for otitis media)
  Cooked onion (for otitis media)
  Mustard
  Clay
  Coffee
  Shredded carrots
  Shredded potatoes
• Water:
  
  Hot
  Enough to make a paste out of poultice substance
  Freshly shredded vegetables usually provide enough moisture
• Cotton cloth
  
  Large enough to cover designated area
• Plastic
  
  Large enough to cover cotton
• Wool
  
  Large enough to cover plastic
• Pin, tape or bandage for fastening

Procedure:

• Make poultice paste
• Apply paste to cotton or directly to skin
• Place cotton cloth over treatment area
• Cover with plastic
• Cover with wool
• Secure
• Leave on for 1/2-8 hours

Indications:

• Fibromyalgia
• Mastitis
• Otitis media
• Pain
• Congestion
• Inflammation
• Bee stings
• Insect bites
• Abscesses
• Swelling
• Wound healing
• Antisepsis

Contraindications:

• Allergy to poultice substance

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).