Skin Care Secrets Revealed: How to Make Herbal Compresses, Poultices and Plasters

By Kolbjorn Borseth

Compresses, Poultices and Plasters are an excellent way to apply a treatment externally to a specific part of the body. This reduces the necessity for internal medication.

Compresses

There are three main types of Compresses: Hot; Cold (varying from room temperature to ice cold); and Heating Compresses. There are also many different ways of applying Compresses, such as using botanical material itself e.g. Plantain leaf; dipping a cotton cloth in an Infusion, Decoction, Tincture (5% diluted in water) and then applying it to the affected area; using Clay; herbal tea bags; dried herbs, etc. For Sprains and Bruises you can wrap a pack of frozen peas with cotton cloth and apply to affected area. Essential Oils are also often mixed with these substances to be used in a Compress.

Cold Compresses

Cold Compresses (room temperature) are used on wounds, eczema, psoriasis and similar problems where the skin is broken (not inflamed). Cold Compresses (ice cold) can help relieve the pain of gout and minimise swelling from bruises and sprains. Ice cold Compresses can also be used to prevent or relieve congestion and to reduce blood flow to an area. Experts suggest limiting ice cold applications to 20 minutes at a time to prevent damage to the skin.

Hot Compresses

Hot Compresses are used when the skin is not broken, for example with rheumatism, sprains, inflammations, accidents, pains and swellings (but not to treat shingles). Hot Compresses can also be used to lessen the discomfort of menstrual cramps and irritable bowel syndrome, and to increase blood flow to a particular part of the body. Large Hot Compresses applied to the chest are also helpful for respiratory problems. Smaller Hot Compresses are used for localised pain relief from muscle spasms and certain types of arthritis.

NB Remember: never use Hot Compresses on broken skin.

Heating Compresses

Combining the basic Cold Compress Method with adding extra insulating layers over it, you can make a Heating Compress. The body will gradually warm the Compress and the transition from cold to warm adds to the therapeutic value. They are left in place until the body's heat warms them, usually for several hours or overnight.

Used for sore throats, ear infections, chest colds, joint pain and digestive problems, the Heating Compress creates soothing warmth in the affected area and attracts an influx of nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to speed healing.

Poultices & Plasters

Poultices and Plasters are used much like Compresses except they are made with fresh (or dried, but re-moistened), solid herbal or plant material rather than an Infusion or Decoction. A Poultice is a wad of chopped, fresh plant material that is applied directly to a wound or infection on the skin and usually held in place by a Wet Compress that is covered by a bandage. Poultices work primarily at the application site, typically preventing infection and hastening the healing of wounds. But there are doubtless many compounds in Poultice plants that pass through the skin and have internal benefits as well.

They become Plasters when using finely ground herbs or adding ingredients such as cornmeal or wheat flour to assist their cohesiveness. Generally Plasters are placed in layers of thin material to protect the skin as well. Plasters tend to be stronger in nature and should be monitored to avoid any skin reactions to strong herbs such as garlic or mustard. It is advisable to massage oil over the skin prior to placement of the Plaster.

Both Plasters and Poultices are wonderful for their action of 'drawing out' toxins.

Compress and Poultice Recipes

What you will need:

• A cotton/muslin cloth 30x50cm, which is suitable for compresses for chest, throat, knee, elbow
• Compress or tube bandage for making smaller compresses or for covering poultices
• Clingfilm (never use tape or clingfilm directly on the skin)
• Surgical tape or freezer tape
• Elastic bandage
• Woollen cloth (for Heating Compress)
• Herbal or plant material (see individual recipes for more information)

Chamomile Herbal Skin Care Compress

Useful for: sore throats, pain, prostate problems, psoriasis, eczema, earache.

• 35-50g Dried Chamomile Flowers

Method for a Dry Chamomile Compresses

• Spread a cotton or muslin cloth approximately 30x50cm on a clean and smooth surface.
• Evenly place 35-50g of the dried herb in the middle of the cotton cloth (see Fig 1). Then cover with clingfilm.
• Fold each side of the cloth over the clingfilm-covered herbs (Fig 2).
• Lastly tape everything so the dried herbs are secure (Fig 3).
• Place the compress on the area to be treated with the cloth side towards the skin (Fig 4). The clingfilm is facing out, so the healing content is close to the skin. Wrap around with an elastic bandage and secure with tape.
• You can also add a last layer of insulating material, such as a woollen scarf to create a Dry Heating Compress.

Order Chamomile Flowers (Organic)

Arnica Herbal Skin Care Compress

Use on sprains, bruises, swollen skin, pains, burns and herpes blisters. Using arnica on burns increases the bleeding through and reduces the scar formation.

Warning: The skin should not be in contact with Arnica for more than 6 hours per day, too long at a time can create skin irritation. Never take arnica tincture internally.

• 50ml warm water
• 1-2 teaspoons Arnica Tincture

Method for Wet Arnica Compresses

1. Dilute the arnica tincture in the warm water.
2. Soak a clean cotton or muslin cloth in the diluted tincture and then squeeze out the cloth so that the desired amount of liquid remains in the cloth.
3. Apply gently and loosely to the affected area of the body.
4. Now, you can either go directly to step 5 below or continue by soaking the cloth in the herbal solution every 15-30 minutes and applying it to the body. Repeat as often as necessary.
5. Wrap the soaked cloth over the affected area and cover the cloth and area with clingfilm.
6. Then secure both the cloth and the clingfilm with a stretch bandage.
7. Discard the solution.
8. To make a Heating Compress of a Cold Wet Compress or to keep your Hot Compress warm, add a layer of insulating material, such as a woollen scarf between the clingfilm layer and the stretch bandage. You can also keep a Hot Compress warm by placing a hot water bottle on the bandaged area.

Order Arnica Tincture (Organic)

Green or Savoy Cabbage Poultice

Use for eczema, psoriasis, menstrual cramps, mastitis suffered by pregnant women. pains, swelling, infections in the skin, joint pain

• 1-2 Cabbages

Method for Cabbage Poultice

1. Use the green outer leaves from organically grown plants.
2. Cut away the thick stalks and use a roller pin or bottle to press flat and squeeze the cells and juice from the cabbage leaves.
3. Place and layer the inside of the leaves (the smooth side) around the entire area of the skin, root side down.
4. Bind to body with cotton or lint-free cloth. Then hold together with a cotton/muslin cloth, covered with clingfilm and finally with a stretch bandage.
5. Leave on overnight. Remove in the morning.
6. This helps to draw out any skin infections. Cabbage contains a substance that increases blood circulation, as well as vitamin U, a wound healing substance.

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	See for more information about the use of Herbs and Compresses: Order The Aromantic Guide to the use of Herbs in Skin, Hair & Health Care Products