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My mom's mother was the first to introduce me to this method.
Whenever I hurt myself she would immediately prepare a
poultice to fix whatever was wrong with me. She would usually
use peach leaves, oat meal, or flax seed.
Poultices are used to apply moist heat to draw or soothe. Fresh leaves of the particular herb called for is bruised and steeped in boiling water (only enough to moisten) for a short time. The leaves are then spread between two pieces of cloth and applied as hot as possible, then, covered with a dry cloth to retain
heat. A second poultice is prepared while the first one is still being used. It is to replace the first poultice the moment it begins to noticeably lose heat.
The powdered herb of a plant may be substituted for the fresh leaves. Use enough of the powdered herb to make a paste. The paste is then spread between two pieces of cloth, applied and
renewed, several times.
Zeline Wright
AKA Opossum Sally
Poultices:
"The message we give our bodies -- one of irritation or acceptance -- is the message to which our bodies will answer." -- Debbie Shapiro
Balm of Gilead Salve - Place 1 ounce of the buds in 1 pint of hot olive oil and allow to simmer, covered, 3 hours. Strain and add 1-1/2 ounces of beeswax and 1/2 teaspoon tincture of benzoin to the strained mixture. Test for consistency and place in sterile jar. This is a good salve to use on burns, scratches, swelling injuries. Also good for any skin eruptions. The signature of balm of Gilead is the resinour exudation covering the buds. It contains salicin, which is also found in aspirin. It has some of the same pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties as aspirin.
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