Alternative Medicine

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Alternative Medicine

How To Make a Potato Poultice

By Cathy Wong, About.com

Created: May 30, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

A potato poultice is a warm compress made with grated potato that is used to relieve congestion and inflammation and heal skin. It's used traditionally for conditions such as arthritis and eczema.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 20 minutes

Here's How:

  1. Chop two unpeeled potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
  2. Boil the potato cubes. Mash them.
  3. Spread the potatoes onto a thick gauze or cheesecloth. Add another sheet of gauze or cheesecloth or fold it over.
  4. Test the temperature with your hand, making sure it's not too hot.
  5. Apply the poultice to the affected area. Wrap it with a dry cloth or towel and hold it in place with string or bandage.
  6. Remove the poultice once it is cold.

What You Need:

  • Potatoes
  • 2 pieces of cheesecloth or gauze
  • Towel
  • String or bandages
More Alternative Medicine How To's

Explore Alternative Medicine

About.com Special Features

Do I Have Allergies?

Are your symptoms merely irritating, or could they be a sign of allergies? More >

Preventing Headaches

The best way to treat a headache is to prevent it. Learn how. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Alternative Medicine

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Alternative Medicine
  4. Conditions & Remedies
  5. Arthritis
  6. How to Make a Potato Poultice

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.