Ancient remedy: poultice and its many uses
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The poultice is an ancient and above all natural remedy, which relieves and cures many ailments. Plant-based, clay, fruits, vegetables; It has different therapeutic indications depending on its composition. How does it work ? How to use ?.
The ingredients to make a poultice are easily accessible and inexpensive. This explains the recent success of poultices on social media. The point about this soothing technique and its most effective recipes.
What is a poultice?
The poultice is a thick medicinal paste that is applied to the skin by making it hold with a cloth. As the skin is permeable, the active ingredients it contains will penetrate through the skin. Previously recommended for all kinds of disorders by healers, its effectiveness is not really proven and it is now rare on the market. But you can make your own with all kinds of plants, clay, fruits, vegetables or even seaweed!
How does a poultice work?
The substances chosen to make the poultice can be crushed, chopped hot or cold, or mixed with flax meal to obtain the right consistency. This remedy has a rubefacient action: it causes a temporary congestion that produces reddening of the skin due to dilation of the small blood vessels, which favors the penetration of the active ingredients. In addition, it increases the blood circulation of the affected parts, thus expelling the toxins to the outside, absorbed by the poultice.
When can a poultice be used?
Oily cough: based on flax seeds.
Dry cough: made from grated comfrey roots.
Sprains: cold clay.
Strains, tendinitis, back pain: grated comfrey roots.
Digestive ailments: clay.
Acne : clay (with astringent properties, which closes the pores), to be done once a week after cleansing the skin.
Burns and excoriations (loss of the superficial layers of the skin by scratching) that become infected: cabbage (sanitized by boiling).
Choose clay and flax or mustard seeds preferably from pharmacies, organic or health food stores.
A poultice of cottage cheese for sudden sore throat, hoarse voice
Making a poultice of cottage cheese is effective for quick relief in case of a sudden sore throat or when you have a hoarse voice. "Cottage cheese is emollient and soothing. Applied cold, it's decongestant," explains Sylvie Hampikian, a pharmacologist.
The recipe for the cottage cheese poultice: spread 250 g on a compress and place it on the throat. Overlay a diaper or dish towel and possibly cover with a scarf. Leave to act for 20 to 30 minutes.
A poultice of flax meal and mustard for cough or bronchitis
A poultice made from flax flour and mustard helps soothe the airways in case of bronchitis or shortness of breath. "The active ingredients in flaxseed meal have anti-inflammatory properties that decongest the respiratory tract. As for mustard flour, it contains anti-infective and revulsive agents that are released especially when it is wet," explains Christine Cieur, doctor of pharmacy.
The recipe for the poultice of flax flour and mustard: dissolve 25 to 30 g of flax flour in double its volume in very hot water until a thick paste is obtained. Sprinkle with 3 to 5 g of mustard flour and mix again. Test the temperature on the inside of your wrist, then spread the paste on a compress. Place it on the upper part of the chest, in contact with the skin and cover it with a thick cloth to retain heat.
For sensitive skin and children, first spread the area with olive oil, which prevents the poultice from sticking too much to the skin. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes for adults, 5 to 10 minutes for children. Rinse and put on warm clothing. 1 to 2 times a day, for a few days.
Consult a doctor in case of very congested bronchitis and difficulty breathing.
Green clay poultice for rheumatism and joint pain
Green clay has decongestant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial properties. In external use associated with comfrey or mustard, relieves joint pain, sprains and strains, muscle pain. A cold poultice of clay or flaxseed helps relieve pain in joints or tendons.
The Green Clay Poultice Recipe: Moisten the clay powder with cold or lukewarm water (2 parts powder to 1 part water). "Opt for warm water on cold rheumatism: contractures, stiffness, sciatica; cold water on hot rheumatism related to inflammation: osteoarthritis, joint rheumatism, sprains," advises Sylvie Hampikian.
Gradually add the water, stirring until you have a paste the consistency of toothpaste. Spread on a compress that you will place on the painful area, the clay must be in direct contact with the skin. Secure with a thicker layer of fabric. Leave on for 1 to 2 hours and rinse with lukewarm water.
See a doctor if you have a painful sprain and/or a red or swollen ankle.
Poultice of cabbage leaves to relieve low back pain and torticollis
A poultice made from cabbage leaves reduces inflammation in case of low back pain and torticollis. A poultice of cabbage leaves can also be made to relieve a weeping wound or to reduce a boil or carbuncle. Cabbage is known for its content of sulfur compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. "Interesting to use alternatively with clay", recommends Christine Cieur.
The cabbage leaf poultice can be made in 2 ways:
using the leaves directly. Get some green cabbage leaves rinsed and dried. Remove the central rib and flatten the leaves with a rolling pin to release the juice. Apply 1 to 4 thicknesses of these sheets directly on the painful area, cover with a cloth and hold the poultice with a strip without squeezing too much. Keep it in place for 3 to 6 hours.
boiling green cabbage leaves. Boil one or two large, thick leaves of cabbage, for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes, put them in a cloth and crush with a rolling pin to extract the juice that contains sulfur substances. Place it in a fine gauze and apply on the skin between 10 and 20 minutes according to tolerance.
What are the precautions for use?
There is no specific contraindication for the poultice, but in case of wounds, it is better to consult to rule out a bacterial infection.
It's also best to test the mustard poultice on a small area. The poultice heats the skin and can be irritating, do not apply it to damaged skin.
As for the green clay poultice, "make sure the clay paste stays moist because it loses its absorption and drainage properties as soon as it dries," says Christine Cieur.
It is advisable not to apply poultice before about 15 years, except flax seeds: from 3 years, but for a maximum of 10 minutes. Pregnant women can make poultices to relieve back pain or to reduce stretch marks.
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