Date:
Cost: £80.00
Join me for a workshop where we will revive and revisit the art of poulticing, making compresses and Plaisters.
Poultices, Plasters & Compresses were once commonly used for the treatment of wounds, bites, stings, bruises, rashes and the like. It is a shame that, in our modern world of haste and bustle, these remedies have fallen out of favour. Simple in their construction, they can have quite profound effects when applied to the body.
Poultices
Poultices were usually made from vegetables such as onions, potatoes and parsnips. Every household was familiar with the use of drawing poultices, which were used to draw out stings, slivers of glass and wood splinters from flesh. Mustard poultices were well known at the time for treating severe respiratory infections.
Compresses
Compresses (also known as fomentations) were also widely used in days gone by.
Plaisters
We will also make Plaisters (yes, that’s the correct spelling!) The modern equivalent (Plasters) has very little in common with the original Plaisters, either in appearance or use. Plaisters were bespoke and hand-made by the Apothecary. Plaisters are designed for chronic problems which require longer term use.
Discussion
I will talk about the history and uses of these external remedies with examples of their uses for various ailments.
Demonstration
There will be a demonstration of Poultice, Plaster and Compress making.
Practical Sessions
You will work in pairs, making and applying the remedies on each other.