Poultice: What is it
The poultice, or poultice, is a topical dressing composed of a soft mush enclosed between two gauze, to be applied directly on the diseased part.
The composition of this paste varies according to the medicinal purposes of the poultice; generally it contains vegetable flours, such as flax or potatoes, dissolved in hot water or in special pharmaceutical or phytotherapeutic solutions (infusions and decoctions of various types); at other times, grated or crushed vegetable drug-based batters are used.The good therapeutic result is in relation to heat, humidity and the substances used for the preparation.
Properties and Uses
Widely used in antiquity, poultices are still used today for their revulsive, antispasmodic and pain-relieving effect, which allows to relieve pain, irritation, catarrhal cough and bronchitis:
- revulsive poultice based on mustard flour (it can be irritating and blistering, up to producing real erythematous skin lesions);
- calming poultice based on laudanum (in ancient times) or linseed flour;
- emollient poultice based on vegetable flours or plants with an emollient - soothing action, such as marshmallow and mallow.