A
plaster is a herbal mash that is either wrapped in
a cloth or combined in a thick paste (such as mashed
potato or slippery elm) or oil, and then placed on
the skin. This method is used when wanting to use
herbs that would be too strong to place directly onto
the skin such as Mustard or Garlic.
They are good
for muscle spasms, swellings, arthritis, fevers, and
problems of the lungs including bronchitis, mucous
congestion, or pneumonia. They are also good for enlarged
glands and organs (neck, breast, groin, kidney, liver,
prostate) and to draw boils and abscesses. A plaster
should be kept warm with a hot water bottle or by
replacing with a fresh hot one. Never rewarm a used
plaster as they absorb poisons drawn out from the
body. Discard after use.
Choose the
herb/s and powder them in a blender. Add a little
hot water or herbal tea or tincture (from a choice
of relevant herbs to your condition) to form a thick
paste. Spread this thick paste onto a thin piece of
cheesecloth and make sure paste will not touch or
leak onto the skin. Place on the skin for 20 minutes
minimum up to overnight. Some need to be reapplied
and kept on for several days depending on the condition
you are treating.
Buckwheat
flour - for local oedema and other swellings (joints,
abdomen, breasts). Repeat application throughout day
continuing for days if necessary to fully eliminate
any swelling.
Garlic:
mash garlic and mix with oil and then proceed as directed.
Place on soles of feet for stopping coughs and clearing
colds.
Mustard:
A well known British folk remedy for aches, sprains,
spasms and poor circulation. Mix one tablespoon mustard
powder, 4 tablespoons whole wheat flour and mix with
water to make paste. If your skin is sensitive use
egg white instead of water. Place the plaster on the
chest to draw out mucous congestion and coldness,
to treat colds&flus, and to elimate coughs or
aid asthmatic conditions. It is very good for joint
pains of arthritis and to heal chronic sores or boils.
Tofu:
this is specific for lowering fevers, and helping
with concussion, headache and earache. It should only
be applied to the head and neck area and left on until
the fever drops or the pain disappears. Put 250g tofu
in a cheesecloth and squeeze out the fluid. Mix with
1/5th part of pastry flour and 1/10th of grated fresh
ginger root and apply to body.
There are
many more herbs and vegetables that you can experiment
with a little bit of knowledge of their actions. Read
and experiment.
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