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| the body. While poultices are often made of fresh mashed herbs, they an be made of the residue left after brewing tea. Poultices are usually applied cool rather than hot. Some herbalists recommend spreading a thin layer of olive oil or castor oil on the skin before applying the plant material. Use whatever will hold the poultice in place for several hours: bandages, plastic wrap, cheesecloth, muslin, etc. An elastic elbow brace or knee bandage can hold a poultice in place on arms or lower legs. A layer of plastic over the poultice helps prevent fabric stains. |
| A plaster is a dry poultice made by spreading dry powdered herbs, or a thick paste made by adding a small amount of water over cotton or muslin fabric. Additional fabric is spread over the skin to protect it, as most of the herbs used for plasters, such as mustard or cayenne, can be irritating to the skin. The plaster is held in place for several minutes, then lifted so the skin can be checked, and replaced if the skin isn't irritated. Plasters increase circulation and help clear congestion. |
| Although these therapies have little direct application to heart disease, they are important for other reasons. People with high blood pressure, a rapid pulse, irregular heartbeat or congestive heart failure should avoid ephedra (Ma huang), ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products, which are widely sold as decongestants for colds, flu and hay fever. The traditional mustard plaster, which does not have ephedra's side effects, relieves chest congestion and has been known to chase colds away overnight. Poultices, especially those made of comfrey leaf and root, help heal bed sores, leg ulcers and other external symptoms of insufficient circulation. Whenever an effective herbal therapy can be used in place of a prescription drug that |
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