Potato Poultices: The Effect and Use of Natural Help for Coughs

The potato wrap shows its effect especially in diseases such as bronchitis, muscle tension, rheumatic complaints and sore throat. We explain everything you need to know about this home remedy and how the wrap is used.

The potato wrap and its effect

You may also come across terms such as potato compress or potato pad for the potato wrap. Cooked, still hot and mashed potatoes are wrapped in cloths.

• The moist, hot wrap gives the affected part of the body intensive warmth over a long period of time. This is because the potato mass is good at storing heat.
• Some people believe that the ingredients in mashed potatoes also have healing properties. However, scientific evidence for this is lacking.
• When using a potato wrap, only the effect of the intense heat is in the foreground. It widens the vessels and thus improves the blood flow to the affected tissue on which the wrap is placed.
• This then leads to a relaxation of the underlying muscles. As a home remedy, the wrap relieves pain and any cramps that may occur. Most people find this very beneficial.

Ingredients needed for the wrap

The potato wrap is said to help if you suffer from pain or tension. It has a particularly pleasant effect on coughing, muscle tension, neck and back pain, rheumatism or a sore throat. If you want to prepare a potato wrap, have the following materials ready:

• 500 g potatoes (with skin)
• 1 inner towel ( kitchen towel or cloth diaper)
• 1 intermediate cloth (kitchen towel or cloth diaper)
• 1 outer towel ( towel ).

Instructions for a potato wrap

First , boil jacket potatoes and drain the water.

1. Let the potatoes cool down a bit in the pot (about 5 minutes).
2. Then place the potatoes on a large plate and mash them with a fork.
3. Put the finished potato mixture on the spread out inner cloth. Fold the sides up over the potato mixture.
4. Check the temperature. If the compress is too hot, there is a risk of burning the skin. In this case, place the intermediate cloth on the skin area and only then put the compress on it.
5. Model the potato compress on the affected area of ​​skin.
6. Place the outer cloth over the wrap and fix it with it. The additional cloth also protects the wrap from cooling down too quickly.

Further notes on the application

You place the potato wrap directly on the aching or tense body part. The warmth of the wrap relieves the pain of those affected, as the heat emitted by the wrap penetrates the tissue.

• If you cough : To do this, place the potato compress on your chest.
• For sore throats : The potato wrap is placed on the front of the neck and shaped.
• For neck pain : With this pain, the potato wrap is placed on the neck and modeled.
• For rheumatism, muscle tension and back pain : To do this, place the potato wrap on the painful or tense part of the body of the person concerned.
• Time : Leave the wrap on for about 30 minutes. If the wrap feels uncomfortable or if the symptoms worsen, it must be removed immediately. If you have removed the wrap after the exposure time, the affected person should rest in bed for 30 – 60 minutes.
• How often : You can put a potato poultice on the painful area once a day and for as long as the sufferer feels pain.

When should the wrap not be used?

There are situations, illnesses and previous illnesses that speak against a potato wrap. Man this also contraindication. In this case, you should consult your family doctor about other measures that could alleviate the symptoms. Do not use a potato wrap on:

• hypersensitivity to intense heat
• acute inflammation
• fever
• infections
• open wounds or inflamed skin areas
• suspected internal bleeding
• varicose veins.