How to Make a Poultice of Dried Herbs

People who prefer natural medicines often turn to herbs for relief from common ailments. Today, many herbs are available year-round, but many people like the convenience of having dried herbs on hand. Use dried herbs from the pantry to make a warm compress for treating inflamed tissues or pulling toxins from an infection. Familiarize yourself with herbs and herb properties before attempting to treat yourself with a topical medicine.

Things You'll Need

• Mortar and pestle
• Glass or plastic bowl
• Eye dropper
• Distilled water
• Spoon
• Gloves
• Gauze
• Towel or cloth material
• Pin
• Hot water bottle

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Instructions

• 1

  Place the dried herbs in a mortar and pestle. Grind the herbs into a powder. You may have to do this a little at a time.

• 2

  Transfer the ground herbs to a glass or plastic bowl. Dip an eye dropper into a glass of distilled water, pulling water into the dropper.

• 3

  Add drops of water to the herbs to make a paste with the herbs. Use a spoon to mix the two ingredients together. Do not add too much water or the poultice will become soupy.

• 4

  Apply the poultice to a strip of sterilized gauze using your clean or gloved fingers.

• 5

  Clean the area of the skin that needs a poultice with hydrogen peroxide. Lay the paste side of the gauze on the skin. Cover the area with the gauze then layer it with a towel or clean fabric to prevent the poultice from staining clothes or bedding.

• 6

  Secure the towel in place with a pin or fastener. Lay a warm hot water bottle over the poultice to add heat to the medicine.