HEALING HERBS: Poultice ideal for healing success

The term poultice comes from the Latin word for porridge. At one time, porridge was spread on a cloth and then applied to an area of the body that was inflamed. – www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com

I was in a very jubilant spirit for the entire week. This was because this article you are reading today was formulating in my mind and I anxiously awaited its birth.

This particular baby (article) is very necessary at this time because many readers often communicate with me about remedies for sprains and pain. Indeed, one of the best home remedies for sprains and other minor health challenges is a poultice. 

My grandmother and mother were the first persons whom I witnessed apply a poultice with healing success. Once my father had a painful sprained ankle and my mother applied a poultice of cornmeal and vinegar. Quick so, healing occurred.

There is something magical about a poultice and as we proceed to celebrate 50 years of Independence, what about an instant rebirth of those good ancient herbal remedies. Imagine that we can implement some simple remedies at home to bring comfort to ourselves. However, last week I provided a definition for the word poultice as used in herbal expressions. My poultice normally contains silent doctor cayenne pepper, cornmeal, turmeric, onion, nutmeg and clove.     I normally mix the ingredients with a little warm water and place the paste on the affected area. This week I am providing some poultice remedies which I used successfully, so here we go:

Poultice for inflammation

1. Grate a potato and bind together with some cornmeal.

2. Place on the affected area.

Poultice for chest congestion

1. Blend two onions, cerasee, nutmeg and cornmeal.

2. Place the mixture on the chest area and leave for a few hours. If it is too strong, place a thin cloth between the poultice and your skin.

Poultice for sprains and swellings

1. Blend one cup cornmeal, one teaspoon cayenne pepper, two tablespoons of turmeric, one teaspoon nutmeg and one teaspoon of Epsom salts.

2. Place all the ingredients in a blender. When it comes together, paste on the affected area and leave on for half-hour.

Poultice for boils and infections

1. Blend in a mortar and pestle two teaspoons of turmeric.

2. One teaspoon cornmeal.

3. Pound turmeric in mortar and pestle until a paste forms.

4. Stir in three tablespoons cornmeal. This makes an excellent poultice for drawing out infections.

Finally, do some more research on the healing power of a poultice. I was fascinated as a young girl when my mother’s poultice combinations healed me. Always remember that silent doctors are healing.

 • Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via [email protected] or by telephone 250-6450.

 DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direccton of your health care provider.