found that also adding some mucilaginous herb powder, such as slippery
elm bark, to the mixture creates a consistency that will adhere more
effectively. With a non-oil-based poultice, a little oil applied over the area
to be treated will make the poultice feel more comfortable.
When using a poultice on a hole in the body, or on a deep wound, you
will fi rst need to clean the area with a solution of essential oil and
water — for example, one drop lavender essential oil and one drop tea tree
essential oil in a cup of water — before applying the poultice. Then you
will need to add some anti-infection herbs to the poultice, such as
turmeric rhizome, myrrh resin, or thyme leaf. There is another rule for
treating a wound: Once the poultice has dried, it may seem that some of it
has disappeared or been absorbed into the body. Don’t clean the
remaining poultice off — add a new poultice over the old one and keep
“feeding” the area. Once a poultice has dried onto a wound, I consider it a
part of the body, just like a scab — it will come off when it’s time, or it will
grow into and become the fl esh itself. There are, however, some types of
poultice, especially drawing ones, that need to be changed frequently
because they will have absorbed toxins that need to be removed from the
body.
Poultices can be used to treat itching skin and other skin irritations
and to draw out the poisons of stings and bites. They can also be used to
heat an area (for example, a mustard plaster) and for glandular infections
or congestion. A poultice can also be applied between two layers of gauze
or light cotton if you don’t want the actual herb to touch the skin for
some reason. As a poultice dries, it becomes taut and draws out impurities.
You can add drawing herbs or even refi ned clay, which increases this
“pulling” power. This type of poultice is ideal for tumors and cancers;
herbs like pokeweed root may be used to assist in the treatment of breast
cancer, while the addition of powdered charcoal will help purify the
blood.
Vegetable poultices have also been used widely over the years, made
from potatoes, onions, carrots, beets, garlic, cucumbers, aloe vera, and a
wide variety of greens. Cayenne, ginger, mustard, and horseradish have all
been popular for heating and stimulating poultices. Healing and soothing
poultices made from comfrey leaf, slippery elm bark, marshmallow root,
aloe leaf or gel, calendula fl ower, lobelia leaves and seed, and mullein
fl ower have been used extensively. Seed and grain poultices have also been
used over the years with very soothing effects, along with fruit poultices
using bananas, fi gs, apples, papayas, and melons. Plantain leaf is a prime
drawing herb used in poultices and is also a blood cleanser. Every kitchen
contains an onion, and this can be heated in the oven and placed over the
affected area for pain relief.
36 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition