What Is a Poultice?
A poultice is an herbal remedy made by combining medicinal substances that have a moist base, such as herbs or clays. You can apply this mixture externally to your body to alleviate pain, inflammation, draw out venom, and promote healing.

Poultices work by drawing out toxins, reducing swelling, increasing blood flow, and providing you with soothing relief. 

How to Make a Poultice

“The Cowboy’s Toilet Paper” with Mullein 

You will need:
• Mullein leaves
• Cloth or muslin bag
• Warm water

Instructions:
1. Gather fresh mullein leaves and finely chop or crush the leaves to release the medicine inside.
2. Place the chopped mullein in a clean cloth or muslin bag. What works for me is to moisten the cloth with warm water for an herbal infusion that is slightly damp.
3. Apply the poultice directly to the affected area and secure it in place with a bandage or wrap. You can even wrap it with its own large leaf if you’re in the field.

Duration of Application

The length of time to keep a poultice applied varies depending on the condition being treated. Generally, poultices are applied for about 30 minutes to an hour. However, for severe or chronic conditions, you can leave it on for several hours or overnight. You have to monitor the area and remove the poultice if any discomfort or irritation occurs. 

Can You Store and Reuse a Poultice?

You should prepare poultices fresh for each use to maintain their potency, certain poultices can be stored for short periods. To
store it, you can place it in an airtight container or sealable bag, ensuring it remains moist and doesn’t dry out.

Refrigeration can help extend the shelf life, but it’s best to use poultices within 24-48 hours. Plantain (Plantago spp.) leaves are one of my other favorite field poultices for bites and stings.

Simply chew the leaves and apply to the bite – my kids use this one often for mosquito bites and bee or wasp stings.