How to Make Old Time Onion Plaster for Chest Congestion

Old-fashioned remedies are often the best for minor aches and pains, or to help relieve symptoms of colds and flus. Such remedies and recipies have been passed down from generation to generation, are relatively inexpensive, and can often be made with items, herbs and foods already in the home. Before the days of prescription medications and modern cold and flu medications, people used to make effective poultices or plasters to help relieve chest congestion caused by colds, flu or mild cases of bronchitis.

Instructions

1

Gather three to four medium or large yellow or brown onions and peel. Slice the onions into quarters. Place into the top of a steamer. While onions are steaming, prepare a piece of cheesecloth. Purchase cheesecloth at your local supermarket or natural food store, or you can make your own purchasing a one-half yard of very thin muslin from your local fabric store. Open the cheesecloth or piece of muslin into a large square, or double if it's really large so that you end up with a piece that may be folded into a piece that measures approximately 6 to 7 inches by about 5 inches.

2

Steam-cook the onions until soft. Allow to cool slightly. Using a slotted spoon, lift pieces of cooked onion from the steamer and place in the middle of a piece of cheesecloth, approximately 10-inch-by-10-inch, or smaller, depending on the side of the individual you are treating. A small child can use a smaller square.

3

Fold the cheesecloth or strip of cheesecloth or muslin over and around the onions, pressing out excess liquid as you fold. Tie off or fasten the ends of the cheesecloth with a knot or safety pins to prevent onion stips from falling out.

4

Place the onion plaster or poultice on the chest of the individual suffering from chest congestion. The plaster or compress should be warm, but not warm enough to burn the skin or otherwise cause discomfort.