Plasters work like a poultice in drawing out toxins, relieving inflammation, cooling, moistening, pain relief, stimulate circulation and to promote proper cleansing and healing of an area. The difference between a plaster and a poultice is the herb material is placed between a thin cloth or dense material such as flour or cornmeal is added to the base.
Plasters are a wonderful healing tool when treating lung congestion as they break up mucus, draw out toxins and bring pain relief. I will share a couple different plasters that we have used through the years for this purpose. Always apply olive oil or even better, glandular oil to the chest before applying the plaster to protect the skin and aid with deeper penetration. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
Plasters are a wonderful healing tool when treating lung congestion as they break up mucus, draw out toxins and bring pain relief. I will share a couple different plasters that we have used through the years for this purpose. Always apply olive oil or even better, glandular oil to the chest before applying the plaster to protect the skin and aid with deeper penetration. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
Classic Mustard Plaster
Mustard plasters have been used for centuries to aid the body in breaking up and expelling mucus from the lungs. Because of the heat in the mustard always add to a base material, in this case flour.
1/4 cup ground mustard seed
1/2 cup flour or cornmeal
warm water
Place the mustard and flour in a bowl and stir until well incorporated. Slowly add warm water while stirring until a smooth paste is formed. Take a cheesecloth and fold it to have three layers thickness. Apply the paste and fold up like a burrito. Apply to chest for 20 to 30 minutes.
1/4 cup ground mustard seed
1/2 cup flour or cornmeal
warm water
Place the mustard and flour in a bowl and stir until well incorporated. Slowly add warm water while stirring until a smooth paste is formed. Take a cheesecloth and fold it to have three layers thickness. Apply the paste and fold up like a burrito. Apply to chest for 20 to 30 minutes.
Onion Plaster
Most everyone has an onion on hand and they work great at breaking up and expelling mucus.
1 onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
Chop up an onion and sauté over low heat until translucent. Fold cheesecloth three layers thick and pour the warmed onions on the cloth then wrap up like a burrito. Touch test to make sure the plaster isn't too hot before placing over the chest.
1 onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
Chop up an onion and sauté over low heat until translucent. Fold cheesecloth three layers thick and pour the warmed onions on the cloth then wrap up like a burrito. Touch test to make sure the plaster isn't too hot before placing over the chest.
Basic Herb Plaster
Choose any expectorant or lung support herb from the Respiratory Lesson to make this a chest plaster. Comfrey is a favorite of mine so I like to combine it with other herbs such as mullein or peppermint or you can just use it alone.
1/2 cup dried or powdered herb material or use fresh leaves
warm water
Place the plant material in a bowl, if using powdered herbs add enough water to make a paste. Dried herbs will need less water and add just enough for the material to absorb the water. Fresh herbs add just a little water and mash up with a mortar and pestle or other method of your choosing.
Apply moistened plant material to a cheesecloth folded in three layers and wrap like a burrito. If there is too much water, gently "wring" it out so it isn't dripping. Apply to chest for at least 30 minutes. You can also apply a heating pad on top for deeper penetration.
1/2 cup dried or powdered herb material or use fresh leaves
warm water
Place the plant material in a bowl, if using powdered herbs add enough water to make a paste. Dried herbs will need less water and add just enough for the material to absorb the water. Fresh herbs add just a little water and mash up with a mortar and pestle or other method of your choosing.
Apply moistened plant material to a cheesecloth folded in three layers and wrap like a burrito. If there is too much water, gently "wring" it out so it isn't dripping. Apply to chest for at least 30 minutes. You can also apply a heating pad on top for deeper penetration.
