Compress and poultice
A compress brings the plant to where it hurts without the detour through the stomach. Part of the effect does not come from the herb at all but from the temperature: warmth relaxes and releases cramp, cold dampens swelling and pain. The two are not interchangeable, and the rule of thumb is old and simple.
How it is done
- Make a strong infusion — about two tablespoons of herb to half a litre of water, noticeably stronger than drinking tea.
- Soak an inner cloth of cotton or linen in it and wring it out so it is damp, not dripping.
- Lay it on the spot, put a dry intermediate cloth over it and a woollen cloth outside to hold the temperature.
- Leave warm compresses on for twenty to thirty minutes, then rest for half an hour.
- Take cold compresses off as soon as they feel body-warm — usually after ten to twenty minutes. A cold compress left lying on the skin ends up warming it.
- Repeat once or twice a day. For poultices with fresh herb, crush the washed leaves and apply them directly.
What this form suits
Tannins such as oak bark, black tea and witch hazel draw weeping skin together, mucilage such as linseed and mallow soothes and holds moisture, and anti-inflammatory plants such as chamomile and calendula are the classics of the poultice.
Where it ends
Cold compresses belong only on a body that is warm — anyone shivering or with cold feet does not get a cold leg wrap. Nothing home-made belongs on open, badly inflamed or weeping wounds without medical advice. In people with nerve damage, for instance after years of diabetes, temperature perception is impaired and warm applications can burn unnoticed. If redness increases, swelling spreads or fever appears, the compress is over and the doctor is next.
Plants used this way
103 plants in this database have at least one documented use in this form. Not on this list: toxic and legally controlled species — and, for plants carrying a caution, any internal use resting on folklore alone. Everything remains reachable through the search and the plant index.
Traditional agrimony compress for mild skin irritation, small wounds and local inflammation — astringent catechin tannins.
Traditional wound compress: lady's mantle has been a classic vulnerary since the Middle Ages due to the styptic action of its tannins.
Folk-medicine fresh-plant poultice for minor skin issues and insect bites.
Cool compress with Aloe vera gel for superficial wounds, insect bites, or irritated skin.
Folk medicine compress with marshmallow root for skin irritations, minor inflammations, insect stings and first-degree burns.
Bruised or powdered herb was applied as a compress for ulcers and wounds.
Arnica tincture (1:10 in 70 % ethanol), diluted 1:3 to 1:10 with water, applied as a moist compress to bruises, contusions, sprains and blunt injur…
Warm herb poultice from freshly crushed leaves or moist tea infusion for joint pain and menstrual cramps.
Cooling compress for fresh bruises, contusions, swollen joints and minor skin irritations.
Compresses with rhizome decoction or extract were used in folk medicine for wounds, burns, skin infections, and inflammatory skin conditions.
Cabbage leaf compress (cold wrap) for mastitis (breast engorgement / lactation mastitis): fresh, chilled white cabbage leaves (remove outer leaves,…
Traditional moist compress to support the treatment of minor skin inflammation (e.g.
Folk-medicine wound compress for minor bleeding cuts and abrasions, nosebleeds (tampon), hemorrhoidal bleeding and superficial skin injuries — hemo…
In folk medicine, fresh or dried hot pepper fruits are macerated in warm oil or alcohol and applied as an irritant compress or rub for rheumatic pa…
Fresh or dried C.
Classic household remedy for infant tummy aches (three-month colic).
Fresh or rewarmed leaves applied as a poultice to bruises (especially black eyes) and contusions.
Traditionally, cool flower infusions were used as eye baths or compresses for minor eye inflammation and conjunctival redness.
In Mediterranean and Eastern European folk medicine, blanched or slightly warmed chard leaves are applied as wraps to inflamed skin irritations, mi…
Folk medicine: compresses with chicory infusion for skin inflammations, poorly healing wounds, ulcers and eczematous skin - Hildegard of Bingen rec…
In South African folk medicine, leaves of the spider plant are applied externally as a compress for burns and bone fractures.
In African folk medicine, fresh leaves are crushed and applied as a poultice to wounds, ulcers, and skin infections.
Fresh bruised leaves were traditionally used as a cooling, wound-soothing poultice.
Externally, coriander was used in folk medicine as a compress for rheumatic complaints.
In Caucasian folk use, fresh fruits and seed oil were applied externally for slow-healing wounds and skin conditions.
Cucumber eye compresses: fresh, chilled cucumber slices placed on closed eyelids (5–15 minutes).
In Native American (Zuni) and traditional folk medicine, pumpkin leaves were used as poultices for burns.
Externally, fresh crushed leaves were applied in folk practice for superficial swellings and skin irritations.
In European and Asian folk medicine, fresh aubergine leaves are used as soothing, emollient poultices (cataplasms) for burns, abscesses, boils and…
External root compress for joint inflammation, poorly healing wounds and skin infections — high contact-allergen potential of sesquiterpene lactone…
Cooled, double-filtered infusion as a moist compress for mild, non-infectious eyelid irritation.
Young beech leaves were applied in folk medicine as moist compresses to inflamed skin, boils, and poorly healing wounds.
Kommission E positive (external): fenugreek seed poultice as a warming compress for local inflammation — classic European folk medicine and Kommiss…
Moist compress to support wound healing for small superficial wounds.
Folk meadowsweet herb compresses for gout, rheumatism, bruises, and insect stings.
Fresh or steamed ash leaves were applied as moist compresses in folk medicine to poorly healing wounds, ulcers, and skin complaints.
Fresh plant juice or a poultice of the bruised herb was traditionally applied to wounds, minor burns, and skin inflammations.
Cooled infusion or freshly crushed herb as a moist compress for small wounds, skin irritation, and minor burns.
Traditional folk use for warts and superficial fungal infections; local antimicrobial action by allicin.
Compresses soaked in root decoction for haemorrhoids, eczema and poorly healing wounds.
Folk warming ginger compress for muscle pain, joint complaints and circulatory stimulation — external application of pungent compounds (gingerols)…
Skin rashes, eczema, poorly healing wounds, ulcers, boils (folk medicine)
Mucilage-containing mullein flowers are used in folk practice as a moist compress to soothe minor skin irritation.
The best-known folk application: the crushed fresh leaf has been used for centuries to quickly soothe itching and swelling after insect bites and a…
Externally, crushed leaves were applied as a poultice for joint pain, insect stings and minor injuries.
Traditional witch hazel leaf compress (EMA-recognised) for minor skin inflammations, bruises and small wounds — astringent action via tannins.
Compress with the astringent infusion as supportive care for minor, slow-healing wounds and bruises; an antibacterial effect of extracts has been d…
Fresh, crushed leaves are applied in Asian folk medicine to inflamed skin areas, boils, snake bites, and poorly healing wounds.
The hop pillow is a deeply rooted tradition — already recommended by Sebastian Kneipp in the 19th century.
Warm compresses with concentrated hyssop infusion applied for rheumatism, bruises, and poorly healing wounds.
Traditional walnut-leaf compress for minor wound care, insect bites and small-area eczema — astringent and mildly antiseptic tannin action.
Infusion poultice with bay leaves applied to skin irritations (nettle stings, poison ivy) and poorly healing wounds.
In Central European household tradition, chilled washed lettuce leaves were placed as a cooling compress on tired, swollen eyelids, mildly irritate…
Compresses soaked in a strong tea from the flowering herb were applied externally to wounds, ulcers, eczema, and skin infections (impetigo).
In Native American folk medicine (including Zuni, Hopi) ground and moistened maize kernels were applied as poultices for ulcers, swellings and rheu…
Chamomile compress for poorly healing wounds, boils and superficial skin injuries — anti-inflammatory and wound-healing via chamazulene and alpha-b…
Local oedema, contusions, sprains, superficial haematomas (compress)
In Philippine folk medicine, crushed fresh Bowles' mint leaves are used as a compress for mild muscle pain, headaches (applied to the temples), and…
Historical external use (OBSOLETE, documentation only): in medieval and early modern folk medicine, crushed fresh bingelkraut leaves were applied a…
Folk oatmeal compress for irritated, itching or inflamed skin — draws on the skin-soothing and antipruritic properties of beta-glucan- and avenanth…
In folk medicine, mashed roots were applied as a poultice to bruises, contusions, and haemorrhoids.
Folk olive leaf compress for mild skin inflammation and rheumatic complaints — mild external use with limited evidence.
Onion poultice or warm onion compress as an old home remedy for earache, insect bites and painful swellings.
Folk-medicinal use as a warm compress for rheumatic complaints, muscle tension, bruises and slow-healing skin areas.
Folk fresh-leaf compress for minor injuries and (traditionally) as snake-bite first aid — ethnobotanically documented but clinically unproven.
Folk medicinal external application of fresh petals as a moist compress for skin irritation and mild inflammation.
Compress for insect bites, bruises and skin irritation relief (folk medicine)
Folk-medicinal use in South Africa: infusion or decoction of the leaves as a compress for small wounds, skin irritations, abscesses and haemorrhoids.
Folk peppermint compress for muscle tension, tired legs and mild joint complaints — cooling-analgesic effect through menthol.
Resin compresses from pine resin (Resina Pini) are used in folk medicine for wounds, furuncles, and skin infections.
Folk medicine first-aid remedy: ribwort plantain grows on almost every roadside and provides an instant natural plaster.
In Aztec folk medicine (Nahuatl: Cuetlaxochitl), the milky latex was applied to burns and inflammatory skin irritations.
Raw, thinly sliced or grated potato is used in folk medicine as a cooling compress for minor burns (grade I), sunburn and skin irritation.
Fresh crushed lungwort leaves were applied as compresses in folk medicine to slow-healing wounds, ulcers, and eczema.
Moist compresses from a strong oak bark decoction (10 g per litre) are effective in inflammatory, weeping skin conditions such as eczema, wounds, a…
Grated or mashed radish root was used in folk medicine as an external compress for minor burns, bruises and skin irritation (PFAF).
Steamed or gently warmed red cabbage leaves are applied in folk medicine as compresses for joint pain, gout, and skin irritations.
In folk medicine, decoctions of rhubarb root were applied as compresses for skin itching, minor inflammations, and wounds.
Folk-medicinal use as a warming compress for rheumatic pain, muscle tension, bruises and slow-healing skin areas.
Poultice of fresh or bruised blackberry leaves applied to eczema, abrasions and abscesses.
Willow bark decoction as compress for minor wounds, eczema and irritated skin — astringent and mildly anti-inflammatory folk medicine.
Traditional folk-medicinal use as astringent and antimicrobial compress for poorly healing wounds, mild skin inflammations, insect bites and weepin…
Compresses with cooled great burnet root decoction for burns, wounds, boils, and inflamed skin areas.
Cabbage leaf compress with savoy leaves for breast engorgement and lactation mastitis: fresh, cool savoy leaves (outer robust leaves preferred, was…
Poultice from crushed leaves for burns, abrasions, and inflamed skin.
External folk use: goldenrod compress for slow-healing wounds and skin irritations — traditionally known as 'heathen woundwort'.
Bark decoctions were applied externally for skin conditions and as an astringent wash (traditionally also gynecological use).
A sprig of fresh savory rubbed on insect stings (bees, wasps) is said to soothe itching and swelling — a widespread folk remedy.
Leaf compress for wounds and skin problems: fresh or lightly steamed leaves are applied as a compress to wounds, skin rashes, or inflammatory skin…
Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest (Salish, Okanagan, Stl'atl'imx, Nlaka'pamux) historically used crushed berries and bark decoctions exte…
Acute swelling after sports injury (cold compress)
Folk skin compress (Mexico, Andean countries): for mild skin irritation, superficial wounds, traditionally also against scabies and skin parasites.
Folk leaf compress for headache and joint pain — caution regarding contact dermatitis in Asteraceae-sensitised individuals.
Poultices of fresh leaves have been applied externally in folk medicine for rheumatism, gout and joint pain.
Crushed fresh leaves applied as a poultice on minor wounds, skin blemishes, and insect stings.
Poorly healing wounds, skin inflammation, eczema (folk medicine)
In folk medicine, an infusion or decoction of field elm bark was applied as a moist compress to skin eczema, inflamed areas, and poorly healing wou…
Folk leaf poultice for joint inflammation and skin irritation — external application of mullein leaves as a traditional home remedy across central…
Folk warm herbal compress from vervain for rheumatic joint complaints, bruises and minor skin injuries.
Cooled infusion as a moist compress for skin irritations, eczema, minor wounds and abrasions.
Folk compress with wild pansy herb infusion for itching, mild skin inflammation and scaly eczema.
Used in folk medicine as a compress for minor wounds, bruises and skin inflammation; traditionally applied as a wound-healing (vulnerary) remedy.
Moist compress for small superficial skin wounds.