Making a Poultice
February 28, 2015
Today I went to visit Shorty again. We’d soaked his foot to clean it for 2 days in a row with excellent results. The wound was clean and the size of it had diminished considerably. Today on the third day I knew it was time to apply the poultice. I’ve been using poultices for years. I think the first one I used on a thoroughbred mare was in 2005 so I’ve been using them for ten years.
I hear what to use and when to use whatever I am told to use. Yesterday I was whispered to use comfrey and yarrow. I knew I had comfrey as I have a friend who grows it in her yard and gives me bunches of it that she dries. I’d forgotten I had harvested yarrow in my pasture a few years ago so when I opened my dried bag of herbs there both herbs rested just waiting to be used.
As I began to make the poultice I heard to use 2/3 comfrey and 1/3 yarrow. I know I am extremely fortunate to hear whispers from Spirit about healings I am to do. I receive constant encouragement and advice. When I do not listen, I am told over and over again what to do and what to use. Remember this occurs in my mind. No one else can hear it. But I do. I have learned to listen the first time I am told what to do.
The following steps and images will guide you through the poultice making process I used today. The method always works. I am never disappointed with the results. Two of the best things about poultices are that they are very inexpensive and of course they are all natural so they are extremely effective to use on open wounds that we want to heal with no side effects.
I begin the process with a clean gauze 4"X4" bandage and lay it on a clean surface. The one below is folded in half.
Today I went to visit Shorty again. We’d soaked his foot to clean it for 2 days in a row with excellent results. The wound was clean and the size of it had diminished considerably. Today on the third day I knew it was time to apply the poultice. I’ve been using poultices for years. I think the first one I used on a thoroughbred mare was in 2005 so I’ve been using them for ten years.
I hear what to use and when to use whatever I am told to use. Yesterday I was whispered to use comfrey and yarrow. I knew I had comfrey as I have a friend who grows it in her yard and gives me bunches of it that she dries. I’d forgotten I had harvested yarrow in my pasture a few years ago so when I opened my dried bag of herbs there both herbs rested just waiting to be used.
As I began to make the poultice I heard to use 2/3 comfrey and 1/3 yarrow. I know I am extremely fortunate to hear whispers from Spirit about healings I am to do. I receive constant encouragement and advice. When I do not listen, I am told over and over again what to do and what to use. Remember this occurs in my mind. No one else can hear it. But I do. I have learned to listen the first time I am told what to do.
The following steps and images will guide you through the poultice making process I used today. The method always works. I am never disappointed with the results. Two of the best things about poultices are that they are very inexpensive and of course they are all natural so they are extremely effective to use on open wounds that we want to heal with no side effects.
I begin the process with a clean gauze 4"X4" bandage and lay it on a clean surface. The one below is folded in half.
The herb shown here is dried yarrow that I harvested in my pesticide free pasture a few years ago.
Then I sew one side shut to make a pocket for the loose herbs.
Then I sew one side shut to make a pocket for the loose herbs.
This is an image of dried comfrey that I used in the poultice today. This herd was harvested at my friend's farm. Both herbs are available at health food stores that sell dried herbs.
Then I sew one side shut to make a pocket for the loose herbs.
Then the poultice is ready to be soaked. I pour hot water that I have just boiled in my kettle over the poultice that I have placed on a ceramic plate. I never do this on a plastic plate for safety reasons and also because I do not want plastic molecules to be consumed by the poultice. I usually allow the poultice to soak up the water for about an hour. I find that the herbs become much softer making it more pliable and flexible when you place it on a wound. The hot water activates the healing in the herbs and the wound soaks it up.
Before I place a poultice on a wound I ensure the wound is clean. If it is not it must be washed if possible. Then the poultice is applied and vet wrap is placed over the poultice. Today when we applied the poultice and the vet wrap, the end of the vet wrap did not want to stick so we used some duct tape to ensure the end would be taped and would not unravel. Because the wound was on the coronet band I wrapped the vet wrap under the hoof to make sure the poultice would not slide out the bottom of the vet wrap.