Plants

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Poultices

Poultices are used to apply remedies to a skin area using moist heat. Poultices can be kept warm by replacing it entirely or using a hot water bottle on top of pack. Do not allow poultice to become cold. Do not reuse poultices. Do not use a poultice on an open wound or burn.

Preparation :
Bruise or crush the medicinal parts of the plant to a pulpy mass and heat. If using dried herbs moisten the materials by mixing with a hot, soft, adhesive substance such as moist flour, corn meal, or flaxseed meal. Cleanse skin first with chamomile or mugwort tea or hydrogen peroxide. Apply directly on the skin or wrap the paste or pulp in a wet, hot cloth and wrap the cloth around to retain moisture and heat. If using an irritant herb such as mustard, keep the paste between two pieces of cloth to prevent direct contact with the skin. Use muslin or thin cotton towel to wrap herbs in and cover with towel or plastic to retain heat. Remove before poultice gets cold. A second one can be applied. After removing poultice wash the area with water or herb tea such as chamomile or mugwort.

Bran Poultice:
Make a paste with hot water and bran, apply as hot as can be tolerated. Used for inflammations, strains, sprains, bruises.

Bread and Milk Poultice:
mix together to make a paste. Used for bringing boils and abscesses to a head.

Cabbage Poultice :
Use raw or cooked cabbage. Can use whole leaves layered over area and covered with a hot towel. Has a warming, detoxifying and stimulating effect. Used for ulcers, varicose veins, shingles, eczema, gout, rheumatism, infection. Apply to lower abdomen to promote pelvic circulation and dissolve small fibroids and cysts in pelvic cavity. Used over the liver it will assist in breaking up congestion and detoxify (use only 10 minutes first time and work up to more as it can cause a strong detoxification reaction).

Carrot Poultice:
Boil carrots until soft or use raw and mash to a pulp. Mix with small amount of vegetable oil. Used for cysts, tumors, boils, cold sores, impetigo

Clay Poultice:
Use clay that has been cleaned of impurities. Mix with water or apple cider vinegar to make a paste. Allow to dry before removing with warm water. Use on inflammatory skin diseases, bruises, sprains, acne, drawing toxins from the skin.

Mustard Poultice:
Use powdered mustard and mix with water to make a paste. May need to add flour to hold paste together. Do not apply directly on skin. Wrap in muslin or cheesecloth or cotton towel between skin and paste. Cover with plastic wrap. Remove immediately if stinging or burning occurs. Use with caution. Do not use on sensitive or broken skin. Good for arthritic joints and any condition requiring increased circulation. Used to help relieve congestion, aid asthma, relieve coughs and assists in getting rid of colds and flu when used on the chest.

Onion Poultice:
Sautee chopped onion in oil add 1-2 tablespoons of flour and wrap in cheese cloth. Apply to area. Excellent for drawing out impurities. High sulfur content makes it good for inflamed areas.

Potato Poultice :
Grate raw potato, mix with boiling water. Used to reduce inflammation as in arthritis. Has soothing and cooling effect. Can be applied to boils or carbuncles.

Breast infection remedies:
Some nursing mothers experience a breast infection commonly known as mastitis. Mastitis is caused through the stagnation of the breast tissue, of a clogged duct. When this occurs, it can be very painful, while milk flow backs up and the breasts become overly full and thus, infected. The area around the infection becomes red, feels hot and a slight fever develops. For external home remedies try a hot gingerroot-infused, compress or freshly grated raw potato, placed on the infected breast to stimulate fresh blood circulation and thus relieve the stagnation of the breast tissue.
For an internal remedy, take Echinacea or goldenseal tincture. While taking these herbs, although both are safe, stop nursing. Place your infant or a natural substitute formula, and continue pumping to keep up a consistent flow and demand of milk - but discard it. Mastitis can also result from eating too much fatty foods (especially animal fats from meat, diary and poultry), also, sugar foods, spices and caffeine. Look for alternatives and increase your daily consumption of leafy green vegetables - kale, beet greens, diakon leaves and carrot or turnip tops. Reduce salt intake by substituting with seaweed condiments and broth's until the infection clears up.