INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING AN
ONION POULTICE

Indications for Onion Poultice:  Ear Infection, Chest cold, Flu

Materials needed:
• One small yellow onion
• Small amount of ground corn meal
• Apple Cider vinegar, 1 T
• Cheese cloth, or old tee shirt
• Knife, cutting board, or grater
• Flannel, wool scarf, or cloth
• Small amount of vegetable oil (Safflower, Olive)
• Increase amounts if poultice must cover a large area like the chest

Instructions:
Take the onion, cut off the ends and peel off the yellow papery skin. Cut up the onion into small pieces, grate with large grater or process in a food processor. Place the cut onion into a skillet that has been coated with a small amount of vegetable oil. Bring the skillet to a medium heat and sauté the onions until they are clear. (Note: do not over sauté until onions are wilted).
Sprinkle in 1 T or so of cornmeal and 1 T of vinegar.  Stir well until the onions are mixed well with the cornmeal and it forms a thick mass. The idea is to make a poultice that holds together and won’t fall apart once it is placed on the body. Take the pan off the heat. Cut a piece of cheese cloth (or old cotton T-shirt) twice as big as the area to which the poultice is to be applied. Drop some onion poultice onto the cloth and fold it in a neat package. Make sure that the poultice is at least 1/2 inch thick.
Place poultice over the area to be treated. In ear infections place the poultice behind the ear. Then cover the area with flannel or wool. Keep on the area 15 to 30 minutes or until the poultice is cool. For young children, it is best for the parent to hold the poultice to the ear while the child is on the parents lap. For older children or adults, it can be held in place by the patient or held in place by an ace bandage wrapped loosely around head. (Note: Never wrap any thing around a child’s neck, even loosely).
Use poultice only once, then discard it. You can alternate onion poultices with brief applications of ice. Always apply onion poultice when it is warm. Check temperature of poultice on forearm before applying it to the treatment area.