Poultice

A poultice is a soft, moist mass of material, often herbs or other medicinal substances, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation, or to draw out infection. The ingredients are typically heated and applied directly to the skin, held in place with a cloth. They work through a combination of heat and the properties of the substances used, offering soothing comfort and promoting healing. Historically, poultices were a common remedy for various ailments.

Poultice meaning with examples

• After spraining her ankle, Sarah prepared a warm comfrey poultice. The soothing warmth and herbal properties helped reduce swelling and pain. She carefully applied it, wrapping a clean cloth around her ankle to keep the poultice in place for several hours each day, finding noticeable relief after a week. She found some comfort in traditional medicine after the accident.
• Grandma always swore by a mustard poultice to ease chest congestion during the winter. The pungent aroma of the mustard, mixed with flour and water, was supposed to break up mucus and soothe the irritated airways. Although a bit uncomfortable, my family felt it provided relief from symptoms, proving to be a simple effective home remedy against common ailments.
• During the Civil War, surgeons used various poultices, including those made from bread and milk, to treat infected wounds. These helped draw out pus and promote healing, often being the only treatments available on the battlefield. These served as a critical and surprisingly effective measure when access to advanced medical treatments was limited.
• The shepherd created a mud poultice for his sheep's infected hoof. The cool earth helped to reduce inflammation and prevent the infection from spreading. He carefully applied it, binding it with cloth so the sheep had a better chance to live.