Making Compresses and Poultices with Herbs

Not all herbs are meant to be taken internally. In fact, there are some herbs, such as comfrey [see Alternative Medicine Debate: Comfrey] that should never be used internally and should be reserved for external use only. Two ways to use herbs externally are by making compresses or poultices.

Compresses
Compresses are simply cloths that have been soaked in some sort of liquid and then used to bring relief to the sufferer. Compresses are used most often to relieve headaches, to soothe sore eyes, and to disinfect wounds. To make a compress, you should first make an infusion using the herb of choice. Use 2-3 teaspoons of dried herbs per one cup of water. Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover, and allow to steep for 10-15 minutes. Allow the infusion to cool enough so it will feel comfortable on your skin yet still be warm enough to do the job. Soak a soft cloth in the infusion and wring out any excess moisture. Apply the compress to the area causing you trouble, re-soaking the compress as needed.

Stimulating herbs to increase circulation and which have warming properties include: cayenne, garlic, ginger, and mustard.

Cooling herbs to soothe and which can ease the swelling from sprains and bruises include: aloe, borage, and comfrey. Cooling compresses are also good for relieving headaches and easing the soreness and redness of tired eyes. In addition, a cooling compress made using lavender can help you relax and recuperate from the stresses of the day.

Poultices
Poultices are made from fresh or dried herbs and mixed with hot water or with an herbal tea. You want to add just enough liquid to make the mixture mushy. You can also add oatmeal to make a paste. (Generally, you should use about two ounces of the herb you have chosen with twenty ounces of oatmeal.) The mixture (poultice) is then applied directly to the skin. Cover with a warm cloth or bandage to hold the herbs in place. Poultices are used to treat sore muscles and also to draw out infections caused by such things as boils, as well as to draw out foreign objects such as splinters. If using a poultice for sore, strained muscles, change the poultice about every two hours.

Herbs that are good for poultices include: burdock, comfrey, flax seed, and slippery elm. Steer clear of herbs that can actually burn the skin. These include any of the stimulating herbs listed above that are good for making compresses. (I have used fresh cayenne, however, to relieve severe joint pain caused by arthritis. You should be careful, though. The cayenne does not need to be left on the area for very long. As soon as you start feeling a burning sensation, remove the herb and rinse the area with lemon juice to kill the burning sensation. Try this only for pain that is just becoming too unbearable and when nothing else seems to be working.)

When choosing herbs to make a compress or poultice, make sure that you are using the appropriate herb for the condition you are treating. If you have any questions, consult a certified herbalist. Also, test a small patch of skin for any allergic reactions before using. Serious injuries and/or infections should be attended to by your primary healthcare professional.

References:

Booth, Barbara, ed. The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs. Pleasantville, NY: The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., 2009.

Kowalchik, Claire and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1998.