Counseling Sheet

Agatha M. Thrash, M.D.
Preventive Medicine

The definition of a poultice is a compress containing an active ingredient applied wet for a considerable period of time, 1 to 24 hours. In the past, poultices have been much used and misused, almost every classification of material having been used in making poultices including kerosene and gasoline, various leafy herbals, garlic, mustard, onion, potato peel, charcoal, sand, clay, and various proprietary salves. Most of those listed have some beneficial effect, but some are useless and a simple wet cloth would have worked as well or better. The simple wet cloth is called a heating compress.

One of the beneficial effects of a poultice is the development of heat within the poultice from body heat. Anything applied to the skin, wet or cold or cool, will cause a reaction of the blood vessels of the skin, bringing more blood into the area and gradually raising the temperature of the skin. This elevation of the skin temperature causes an immigration of white blood cells into the area which improves the health and general cleanliness of the tissues involved. In this way, heating compresses can be beneficial to the throat, chest, a boil, an arthritic joint, and many other inflamed or irritated areas. If an active material such as charcoal, smartweed, or other such active herbals or medications are used, the beneficial effects of the heating compress can be increased.

The effect of the medication used to make the poultice should be considered. The active ingredient in smartweed is an enzyme giving a peppery feel to the tongue, and causing a slight irritant effect on the skin which increases the flow of blood to the area. The way to prepare the poultice is to take a handful of smartweed (a common garden pest), crush it in a blender with a bit of water, spread it on a cloth or folded paper towel, apply it to the throat in sore throats, the abdomen in stomach aches, or an arthritic joint or a boil; put a plastic sheet cut from an ordinary bread bag over it to completely cover and prevent evaporation, if heat is desired to accumulate. Wrap the entire area with a bandage to fix the poultice and plastic in place and hold in the heat.

The effect of charcoal is that it absorbs toxic materials from the skin. The lessened molecular content of toxic materials near the more superficial area of the skin induces a "flow" of toxic materials toward the surface of the skin from the deeper tissues. In using a charcoal poultice in cases of kidney disease in which the urinary wastes are building up in the bloodstream, the urinary wastes pass through the skin into the charcoal poultice. After several hours, the poultice has a strong smell resembling urine.

A charcoal poultice may be placed over a boil or an area of dermatitis, poison ivy, insect stings, and the like. The way to make the poultice is to mix powdered charcoal in water to the thickness of a paste and spread it on a piece of old linen or folded paper towel. Place it directly on the skin if desired, or put one thickness of cloth or paper toweling between the poultice and the skin, making certain that the thickness next to the skin is moist by the poultice; leave it on overnight and remove in the morning. Upon removal of the poultice the area should be sponged with cold water, alcohol, or rubbed gently with a cold cloth.

A goldenseal compress or poultice is made by putting 1 teaspoon of goldenseal leaves or 1/4 teaspoon of powdered root in 1 cup of water. Bring it almost to a boil. Allow to set off the fire for 15 minutes. Dip a folded linen or paper towel in the tea to saturate but not drip. Place directly on the skin. Goldenseal has a slightly astringent effect and is helpful in various kinds of eczema, dermatitis, and chronic superficial infections.

Comfrey makes a very soothing compress. Comfrey is a wild herb and is also planted in gardens. It will grow luxuriantly in a flower box or in a bed in the yard. Once a lady accidentally cut a large flap wound on her leg just under the knee requiring some 15 stitches placed in a horseshoe shape. She had severe pain in the wound. Flap injuries are more difficult to heal because the blood flow has been interrupted on three sides. On the second day after placement of the sutures, the flap began to turn purplish and look very unhealthy. It appeared that a slough might occur, and the wound gave constant pain, throbbing congestion, and inflammation. The lady had no confidence in poultices and grudgingly submitted to its application. For the previous 24 hours she had not slept, had not stopped moving, but rolled from one side of the bed to the other in constant pain. Immediately upon application of the poultice which was laid right over her three day old sutures she stated that the poultice felt soothing and cool, giving a bit of relief from the pain. Within 10 minutes the patient was sound asleep, the pain being entirely alleviated. Since this patient refused all medications on the basis of multiple drug sensitivities, we were certain that the good effects came from the poultice.

While a mixture of clay and glycerin is sold under a variety of names, it can be used as a home remedy. Clay may be obtained from a hillside by digging off the topsoil and obtaining clean clay underneath. If desired, the clay can be dried and sterilized in the oven, kept on hand constantly in the dried condition without danger of growing mold, bacteria, or in any other way becoming spoiled. When it is time to use the clay poultice, a portion can be mixed with water to the consistency of a thick paste and spread on cloth or folded paper toweling and applied in the same way as charcoal, comfrey, or other poultices. If a poultice is used on dermatitis, no plastic material should be used, but select a wool or synthetic scarf or covering which is impervious to water, allowing gradual evaporation of the water over many hours. Quick evaporation is occasionally desired in cases that are weeping, cracked, or irritated.

Flaxseed and charcoal may be used on sloughing ulcers or wounds. Use 3 tablespoons of powdered charcoal, 3 tablespoons or ground flaxseed and 1 cup of water. Thicken by bringing almost to a boil while stirring and apply in the usual way.