How to Make a Sea Salt Poultice

Rubbing salt in your wounds isn't a good idea, but the chemical properties of sea salt make it an excellent remedy for aches and soreness that come from exercise, injuries or just getting older. Sea salt has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties. Benjamin Franklin claimed he drank sea water to avoid illness. Sea salt gets many of its healing powers from magnesium, which can be absorbed through the skin and metabolized into the body.

Things You'll Need

• Soft cloth, such as cheesecloth or muslin
• 1 cup sea salt
• 1 cup boiling water
• Clean towel, preferably thin

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Instructions

• 1

  Mix 1 cup of sea salt with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir the mixture, and add more salt if you don't get a light-colored, paste-like substance. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. It should be quite warm but not so hot that you can't touch it.

• 2

  Spread the paste over the clean cloth. It's best to do this in a sink or a kitchen counter to avoid making a mess. Fold the cloth, or tie it up so the poultice doesn't leak.

• 3

  Place the poultice into the thin cloth, then fold or tie the cloth where you can place it on the affected area. You should feel the warmth from the poultice on your skin.

• 4

  Place the poultice directly on the skin as an alternate method. The poultice should not drip, and you should feel its warmth. Keep the poultice in place at least 30 minutes.

• 5

  Repeat the above steps, depending on the severity of the pain. It might take two or three applications for the salt to do its work. Take it easy for at least a day to avoid re-aggravating the injury.