The Art of Poultice with Céline - Part One

Mustard poultice
It's good for bronchitis, asthma attacks, pneumonia, and coughs. In a bowl, mix 3 heaped tablespoons of flour and 1 tablespoon of dry mustard. For sensitive skin or children, don't hesitate to add more flour to dilute the mustard. Add water (preferably hot, because cold water is unpleasant) to obtain a cake batter consistency.
Spread the mixture on cheesecloth or an old cotton dishcloth. We use it for the size of the chest to cover the lung area well. Fold the cloth over, making sure that at least one side is covered with only one layer of fabric. Apply to the chest and wait until it starts to tingle and the skin turns pink. Remove the poultice and simply pat the skin dry.
I recommend applying the poultice in the evening before bedtime to help soothe coughs and clear airways for better sleep.
WARNING! Never apply the poultice directly to the skin. Always use a cloth to protect the mustard mixture from the skin. In the case of a child, it is very important to stay close by to ensure that the poultice is not left on for too long. And as with any medication, if you see that the situation is not improving despite the poultices, seek medical help!


Flaxseed poultice
Mix 1/2 cup of flax seeds and 1 cup of water in a cauldron. Heat it to create a kind of glue, a gelatin. Let the mixture cool and the application procedure is the same as for the mustard poultice. Apply at bedtime and can be left on overnight.


Green clay poultice
We put about the same amount of clay and water and let it soak a little. It is very important not to use a bowl or metal utensil. Only glass or wood. We want the mixture to have a cookie dough texture. We apply directly to the skin when possible. If not, same procedure as for the two previous poultices. We want a thickness of about 1 cm. The clay will draw the toxins present in the body. This is not so much for the cough, but more for the fever. We apply the poultice on the lower abdomen and as soon as it becomes hot (because it absorbs and draws the heat from the fever), we change it.