What Is a Poultice?
A poultice is one of the most wonderfully simple and effective ways to ease pain and tension in the body. Easy to prepare and well worth the effort, poultices have been used for centuries as a trusted form of herbal first aid.
Getting Started: Lavender
My favourite herb for a poultice is lavender. Simply step outside, cut a long stalk with plenty of green — it doesn't matter whether it's flowering, fresh, or dry. Lavender is gentle, healing, and beautifully fragrant.
Herbs Suitable for Poultices
There are many herbs you can use. Here are some favourites and their primary actions:
- Alfalfa — Nutritive
- Gum Leaf — Colds & Pain
- Thistle — Nutritive
- Yellow Dock — Antibiotic
- Yarrow — Skin Conditions
- Plantain — Detoxification
- Lavender — Sedative & Healing
- Marigold — Damaged Blood Vessels
- Rosemary — Stimulates the Mind
- Oat Straw — Nervine & Nutritive
- Nasturtium — Colds
- Mullein — Chest Herb & Pain
- Rose Geranium — Relaxing
- Red Clover — Nutritive & Bruising
- Borage — Chest Herb
- Dandelion — Nutritive & Cleanser
- Gooseberry Leaf — Cleanser
- Comfrey — Heals Tissue
…to name just a few.
For best results, use a combination of 4–6 different herbs to create a well-rounded, synergistic blend.
How to Prepare a Poultice
- Take two good handfuls (or more) of your chosen herb/s.
- Place in a pot and just cover with water.
- Bring to the boil.
- Using tongs, transfer the herb matter into a tea towel or pillowcase.
- Apply to the painful area as hot as is comfortable — warm but never burning.
- Sit, relax, sip water, and visualise the area healing and returning to full health. Your body responds beautifully to this kind of care.
The herb matter can be reused for 24 hours or more. I often simply add fresh herb to the existing poultice, reheat, and it's wonderfully effective.
⚠ Caution: External Use Only. Never take any herb internally unless you are certain it is safe to do so and that it is free from contamination. As you learn to work with herbs, always use them safely and responsibly.
Helping you be the best you can be.