Hydrotherapy is one of the treatment modality in Naturopathy. Poultice is a mode of therapeutic applications in hydrotherapy ( E-Mail: drshwetabnys@gmail.com)

1. POULTICE
Dr. Shweta Mishra

2. POULTICES
A poultice is an application of moist heat made
by means of a semisolid mixture of various
substances, and applies to the body while hot.

3. POULTICES
 Poultice consist of mixture
of different substances,
having the consistency of
mush and must be applied
hot to produce the desired
result.
 Commonly used substances
are onions, flaxseed,
charcoal, cotton, glycerine,
clay etc.
 It can also be made by
mashing herbs / plant
material with warm water
or natural oil to make a
therapeutic paste.
METHOD
 The substances (onions,
garlic , mustard, ginger,
flaxseed, potato, tulsi,
charcoal, cotton, glycerine,
clay ) are made into soft
consistency.
 The preparation may be
applied directly to the skin;
or spread on a cloth and
bound tightly to the part.

4. DURATION
• The poultice may be
changed every 3-4
hours or whenever it
dries out.

5. BENEFITS
• Poultices are very
popular substitute for
heating compress and
have similar effect.
• The effect of the
poultice differ with the
different types of
substances used in it.
• Helps to relieve
infection, pain, itching.
• Used to treat boils and
abscess.
• Relieve inflammation or
a rash.
• Draw the poison from a
bee sting.

6. THERAPEUTIC POULTICES
1) White clay and
glycerine poultice
2) Charcoal poultice
3) Cotton poultice

7. WHITE CLAY AND GLYCERINE POULTICE
• Heat the clay to desired
temperature of hotness.
• Make a paste of white
clay and glycerine.
• Apply it hot about one
eighth to one-quarter
inch thick, now cover it
with a cotton and a
bandage.
USE
• The result is partly due
to heat and partly due
to hygroscopic property
of glycerine.

8. BENEFIT
• Analgesic effect.
• Moisturizing effect.
• Improve the blood circulation.
• Restore the normal functioning of
the skin and the part applied on.
• Enhance the healing.
• A natural exfoliant: It has a
keratolytic effect, helping with
desquamation, the skins natural
exfoliating process that breaks
down skin cells, preventing dull,
flaky skin
• Hydrating: Glycerine absorbs its
own weight in water over a
period of a few days, making it
the perfect ingredient for a dry
skin.
• Aids detoxification.
• Supports body immune system.
• Alkalizing agent.
• Supplement trace minerals.
• Fights free radical.
• Anti-ageing property as
it Stabilises collagen and
accelerates the healing process
• Helping to soften and lubricate
skin
• Anti-irritant: It is thought to
influence the protective function
of the skin against irritation
• Drains, cleans , detox lymphnode

9. CHARCOAL POULTICE
METHOD
• It can be made by charcoal
alone, or by adding equal parts
of flaxseed meal and powdered
charcoal to boiling water to
make a semi-liquid paste.
• This is evenly spread on a cloth
and applied to the part, or put
directly on the part, and
covered with a muslin cloth or
impervious material.
BENEFITS
• Charcoal draws bacteria,
poisons, chemicals, dirt and
other micro-particles to the
surface of skin.

10. Charcoal poultice
INDICATIONS-
• Ulcers
• Wounds
• Treat poisonous bites
• Disinfect wounds

11. COTTON POULTICE
METHOD
• Amass of dry cotton is applied to the part and
covered with mackintosh or other impervious
material.
• The cotton is soon moistened by the retained
perspiration, & thus the effect of a poultice is
obtained.

12. COTTON POULTICE
INDICATION
• Chronic joint affections
• O.A.
• R.A
• Pain in the back and spine
• Ankylosing spondylitis