Simple Steps to Better Health: Dandelion Poultice
A dandelion poultice is a natural remedy made from the dandelion plant, including its flowers, leaves, and roots. It is great for boils, infected cuts, scrapes, blisters, bites, ingrown nails, slivers, sunburn, and even red hot pimples!
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the nature of dandelion is to cool tissue and draw out pus and infection. It’s also safe to use on pets! I have used this poultice many times on myself, as well as on my patients, family, and friends, with no side effects. It’s usually described as feeling very cool and soothing on the skin. Dandelion has been found to be antimicrobial and immune-stimulating.
Please be aware if any skin infection starts to spread or if you also have a fever, seek out medical advice as soon as possible to rule out an infection that needs more than a poultice.
Instructions…
•You will need 1 whole fresh or dried dandelion, roots included, water, and a pot to cook it in. If it’s fresh from the ground, give it a good rinse to get the dirt off, chop it into small pieces and put it in a pot just covered with water.
•Bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes, adding water if needed, so the pot doesn’t boil dry.
•Mash it and cook until the dandelion is soft, and the water is green.
•I like to leave it to sit for a while but it can be used as soon as it is cool enough to apply to the skin.
When the cooking is done and it has cooled, apply a good pinch or mound of the cooked plant matter directly on the affected area. It’s quite watery and messy, so be ready with some plastic wrap and a towel to wrap the poultice on for a time. If it’s convenient, wear it overnight. If it isn’t easy to wrap, just spend some time re-soaking the plant in the pot and reapplying it a few times.
The poultice can be refrigerated in the pot and reused for the same wound for a day or two.
Wish you all a great early summer!
Written by Martha Rokeby-Thomas
Crowsnest Healing Arts & Acupuncture
To book an appointment call 403.459.9000