SELF CARE OPTIONS
This page is a work in progress. If you have ideas or suggestions for what you would like to see here, please feel free to let us know.
HOW TO MAKE A POULTICE
Making a dried herb or medicinal charcoal poultice can be done by anyone, and can be done with herbs/charcoal alone, or with a binder to retain moisture and prolong a poultice's viability (as poultices are generally only affective when moisture is present, especially in the case of medicinal charcoal). Fresh herbs are usually more potent than dried, though dried are often more readily available.
SOME HERBS AND THEIR HISTORICAL USES
Comfrey
Speeding of wound healing (DO NOT use on open wounds). Soothing of skin issues. Traditional herbalists call it "knit bone" for a reason!! Also excellent for joint injuries.
Cabbage Leaves
Bruising and joint pains.
Carrot
Excellent for treating sore or damaged skin, such as tender nipples for mom's new to nursing, or bothersome acne.
Mint
Cooling and deep penetrating, mint has been used to alleviate muscle soreness for thousands of years.
Charcoal
Purported to draw out inflammation and toxins/poisons from the body, there are potentially millions of testimonials from the users of this incredible natural remedy. Visit the Charcoal House in Crawford for more information, or go to Home - Charcoal Remedies. CAUTION: May "tatoo" skin if used directly on open wounds without a fabric barrier between.
Rosemary
Known to help reduce inflammation, and also aid the body in reducing congestion.
Sunlight
While not technically a "poultice" and certainly not an herb, we thought sunlight is worth mentioning here as sunlight has remarkable qualities that have been shown to do immense good to the body as a whole (when used prior to "sunburn" taking hold. Reducing inflammation, arthritis, helping speed wound healing, helping foster muscle tone, reversing myopia in children, and much, much more.
Making a dried herb or medicinal charcoal poultice can be done by anyone, and can be done with herbs/charcoal alone, or with a binder to retain moisture and prolong a poultice's viability (as poultices are generally only affective when moisture is present, especially in the case of medicinal charcoal). Fresh herbs are usually more potent than dried, though dried are often more readily available.
- Take desired herbs or medicinal (activated) charcoal powder and combine with just enough hot water to moisten them (if using fresh, be certain to bruise the leaves or macerate them into a paste). For roots, it’s best to use a powdered form. Simply add hot or cold water a little at a time to create a thick paste (hot water will absorb faster).
- To prolong a poultice's viability, you may add a "binder" (something to retain water and hold the herbs together).
- Ground flax seed (freshly ground is best).
- Psyllium seed (ground) or husk.
- Bentonite clay (although clays may draw out some of the beneficial properties of the herbs).
- Olive oil.
- Most easily, the ratio between dry ingredients is 1:1 (herbs/charcoal to binder), but you may experiment with the ratios as necessary to meet your desired goal. The size of the area being treated will also determine quantity of products used.
- Spread the paste evenly over the desired area (caution, not all herbs should come into direct contact with the skin or open wounds). Be sure to do your research to determine the safety of each herb you are using for each particular circumstance! To make a poultice less messy, you may spread the poultice over a thin layer of paper towel, muslin or gauze fabric, fold neatly, and place the poultice on the skin with a single layer of fabric between the poultice and the skin.
- Cover the area being treated with plastic (a piece of an old shopping sack, or sandwich wrap are good options). Tape with first-aid tape if needed.
- Change poultice every 1-4 hours (some may be left overnight, though viability of herbs/charcoal may not last that long). Best if used until symptoms are abated (may be advisable to alternate herbs/elements if treatment will be prolonged more than seven days.
- SPECIAL NOTE: Using herbs in combination may be a beneficial thing, however, know that the addition of charcoal, clay, or some herbs in combination may lessen or mitigate the overall effect of other herbs in a mixture. Do your research to find out more one each herb/element being used. Be sure to check contraindications of herbs before using them, and if you experience any sensitivities, stop applying the poutices.
- A hot pack may be added to speed transdermal absorption of herbs. Never use heat on injuries that are less than 72 hours old.
SOME HERBS AND THEIR HISTORICAL USES
Comfrey
Speeding of wound healing (DO NOT use on open wounds). Soothing of skin issues. Traditional herbalists call it "knit bone" for a reason!! Also excellent for joint injuries.
Cabbage Leaves
Bruising and joint pains.
Carrot
Excellent for treating sore or damaged skin, such as tender nipples for mom's new to nursing, or bothersome acne.
Mint
Cooling and deep penetrating, mint has been used to alleviate muscle soreness for thousands of years.
Charcoal
Purported to draw out inflammation and toxins/poisons from the body, there are potentially millions of testimonials from the users of this incredible natural remedy. Visit the Charcoal House in Crawford for more information, or go to Home - Charcoal Remedies. CAUTION: May "tatoo" skin if used directly on open wounds without a fabric barrier between.
Rosemary
Known to help reduce inflammation, and also aid the body in reducing congestion.
Sunlight
While not technically a "poultice" and certainly not an herb, we thought sunlight is worth mentioning here as sunlight has remarkable qualities that have been shown to do immense good to the body as a whole (when used prior to "sunburn" taking hold. Reducing inflammation, arthritis, helping speed wound healing, helping foster muscle tone, reversing myopia in children, and much, much more.
*LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Information on this site is provided for educational purposes only, it has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Any information provided herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Great Escape Massage & Wellness Center LLC assumes no responsibility for the improper use of and self-diagnosis and/or treatment using any information, services or products that may be provided. Contents herein are provided on an “as is” basis, and The Great Escape Massage & Wellness Center LLC makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this site or its contents. Except as specifically stated on this site, neither The Great Escape Massage & Wellness Center LLC nor any of its directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this site, the information it provides, or the products listed for sale, purchase or use. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.
Information on this site is provided for educational purposes only, it has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Any information provided herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Great Escape Massage & Wellness Center LLC assumes no responsibility for the improper use of and self-diagnosis and/or treatment using any information, services or products that may be provided. Contents herein are provided on an “as is” basis, and The Great Escape Massage & Wellness Center LLC makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this site or its contents. Except as specifically stated on this site, neither The Great Escape Massage & Wellness Center LLC nor any of its directors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this site, the information it provides, or the products listed for sale, purchase or use. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.