When to put mustard plasters and how to do it right

What are mustard plasters

Mustard plasters are paper warming compresses. They are made like this: a powder of finely ground mustard seeds is applied to a sheet of thick paper. Then the powder is fixed, covering it with a thin protective bandage or another, also thin paper sheet.

Earlier, several decades ago, mustard plasters were considered a good remedy for colds and other ailments.

However, by the end of the twentieth century, doctors finally came to the conclusion: mustard plasters do not know how to treat anything.

However, they are still capable of something. This is why they remain popular as 9 Natural Arthritis Remedies home remedy for symptom relief in a variety of ailments.

How mustard plasters work

When you moisten mustard plasters with water, it reacts with essential mustard oil. As a result, toxic MUSTARD compounds are formed, which irritate the skin and mucous membranes.

Departing a little from the topic: this annoying effect is one of the ways to protect plants. When some herbivore begins to chew on the stem or seeds, substances that are harmful to nerve endings are synthesized in them under the influence of saliva. These substances will not kill, but they will definitely make the cow spit out burning mustard stalks and not touch them again. The same effect, by the way, is responsible for the pungent taste of horseradish and wasabi. But back to the mustard plasters.

The irritation looks like a mild inflammation: the skin under the patch begins to tingle, its temperature rises. Thus, the same famous warming effect is created.

All that he is capable of is for a while to increase blood flow to a specific, very insignificant area of the skin and cause slight discomfort. Due to the unpleasant sensations created by the mustard plaster, the unhealthy person is distracted from the pain caused by the underlying ailment. And it makes him feel better for a while.

Mustard plasters are referred to as distracting therapy. They don't cure, they just shift attention.

When to put mustard plasters

When you want a distraction from aching pain or other discomfort. So, mustard plasters are very popular. What are the medicinal properties of mustard oil? to alleviate conditions associated with:

overexertion or muscle strain;
myalgia (the so-called muscle pain of unknown origin);
neuralgia (pain in the area of various nerve endings);
arthritis.

Dubai Health Authority doctor Nafia Khadija, for example, recommends Are mustard plasters efficient for treatment of any medical conditions? combine the imposition of mustard plasters on the affected area with paracetamol intake - in order to guarantee pain relief. However, in general, the physician is skeptical about mustard patches. In her opinion, they work in exactly the same way as cold compresses for acute injuries and warm ones for chronic ones. And if so, why add some extra trick with mustard, if you can get by with ice and warm water?

Distracting mustard therapy is also used for colds - from the usual SARS with cough to bronchitis and pneumonia. In this case, irritating compresses are usually applied to the back, sternum, shoulders, calf muscles, or soles. Where exactly you place the mustard plasters is not so important. The main thing is that the patient feels warmed up and switches from real pain to "mustard" pain.

When it is categorically impossible to put mustard plasters

Here are some contraindications for using mustard plasters:

Allergy to essential mustard oil. If you are not sure if you have it, apply a small piece of mustard plaster moistened with water on your skin (for example, on your hand). Leave for 3-5 minutes. If a rash and irritation does not appear in 24 hours, mustard plasters can be used.
Fever - temperature above 37, 7 ° C. Due to the additional warming effect, mustard plasters will harm, not help.
Scratches, wounds, skin irritation in the area where you are going to put the compress. The mustard plaster will cause additional irritation, which means that the damage will take longer to heal.
All kinds of formations on the skin: moles, warts, boils, acne, rash. The mustard plaster accelerates local blood circulation. In the area of active inflammation, this is fraught with blood poisoning, and if we are talking about a mole - the degeneration of its cells, that is, cancer.