MUSTARD POULTICE

Sunday, March 20, 2011

A mustard poultice is used to relieve pain and mitigate inflammation in rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pain, congested lungs and chilblains. It works by drawing blood to the surface and increasing circulation around the lungs but it can irritate delicate skins. It is made by crushing the seed and mixing it with a little boiling water to make a paste. Cool a little before applying. Normally a poultice is applied directly to the skin as hot as can be comfortably tolerated so that the herb has direct contact with the skin to speed its function. But as mustard can irritate tender skins it is applied between two layers of gauze. Cover with plastic and then a folded towel to maintain the heat. When cool, replace with hot gauze or a hot – water bottle over the plastic. Stop if the skin becomes too red or uncomfortable. Note that it is not suitable for a swelling caused by a sprain. Such a swelling should, instead, have a cold compress of the leaves of comfrey.