COMFREY POULTICE

The simplest way to pulp comfrey leaves is to place about six of them in the blender (vitamizer) with enough water to reduce to a thick green liquid. (NOTE: Some comfrey will turn to a thick jelly in a few minutes and will bind up the blender if you are not careful to watch for this and add more water as needed.) If you do not have a blender, then bruise and cut the leaves to release the moisture. Spread the pulp onto the poultice cloth and use in the usual way. It is particularly good on swollen

neck glands. Comfrey can be used when there is ulceration of the skin, irritation caused by poison ivy, inflammation of tissue, cellulitis, or when there is swelling and heat causing pain in a leg or arm. Comfrey has a wonderful healing power. When a poultice is used on a large ulcer, it needs to be renewed often, to take off the sludge, or rotting flesh. Do not be afraid of the smell. It is taking away poisons you did not even know were in your body. When it has done its cleansing work, it will begin to nourish the flesh so that new skin will begin to grow over the affected part.

Take a long strip of clean cloth about eight inches wide and as long as is necessary to wrap the affected part. Spread the comfrey mixture on half of the cloth lengthwise. Fold this over lengthwise, and wrap like an elastic bandage around the limb. Lay the folded edge on the lower

Much of the healing power of cabbage is due to its drawing properties. The chlorophyll in it is very cleansing. It will help the skin to eliminate toxins and other harmful substances from the affected area while at the same time supplying it with nutrients. There are several varieties of cabbage, but you can effectively use whichever is available. Often crushed cabbage leaves will help to carry away stale blood and built-up fluids in tissues that are badly bruised and swollen.

Cabbage leaves crushed with a rolling pin can be used to relieve sinus congestion. Crush the green cabbage leaf until it is quite limp and bind it onto the forehead with a bandage or scarf. Or, pulverize the leaf in a blender and place the mush in a small cloth bag. Lay this over the face, patting into position over the closed eyes and cheeks. This may not sound too inviting, but it will not be hard to submit to when your face is aching. Of all the materials available for poulticing, the common potato is the most universally and quickly available. Yet this does not diminish its value. It is a particularly useful and effective material for this purpose. It is always used cold. Simply take the potato and grate it finely to produce a wet, cold mush. Spread this onto a cloth in the usual way and apply it to the affected area. It is very versatile and should charcoal be uncomfortable, it can be used everywhere that charcoal is recommended and will do the same work.

Like charcoal, it can also be used internally. In this case, as with the external poultice, it is taken in its raw state, as cooking will destroy its value for this purpose. Take the potato, grate it finely and eat it. Should this prove to be too unpalatable for you, add a tablespoon of water and strain the potato juice from the pulp, then drink that. It is a wonderful alkalizer and will restore the balance in an acid stomach very quickly.

Use potato poultices externally for strains, bruises, infections, boils, abscesses, rheumatic and arthritic inflammations and sores. In general, potato can be effectively used where the affected part is congested, inflamed and heated. The potato neutralizes the acid condition of the tissues and cools by drawing off the excess heat. At the same time it absorbs the excess fluids in the tissues.

Potato is rich in potassium and phosphorus. These chemicals are important to normal muscle and nerve responsiveness, heart rhythm, and in particular, intercellular fluid pressure and balance. No doubt, as the potato is brought into contact with the skin there is an absorption through the pores of the skin of the potassium and phosphorous which further assists in the healing process.

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