World Carrot Museum Carrot Poultice

PLEASE NOTE: The Carrot Museum does not recommend self diagnosis or self medication. The information contained in this web site has not been verified for correctness. Some of the information contained herein is hearsay and may not be correct. Use the information from this page only at your own risk! If in doubt consult a doctor.
Note: If you have diabetes it is recommended you read this before eating carrots.

The Carrot Poultice is an ancient remedy or relief for sores on the body/skin. The carrot poultice stimulates the body’s natural healing processes (granulation), cleanses, cools inflammation and reduces the pain. William Cook, a doctor and herbalist in the 1800’s said, “Sores in which it seems impossible to arouse a healing process by ordinary means will usually improve at once under this application. The raw carrots are not to be continued after full vital action in the part has been established.” Modern version here.

Carrot poultices are an old remedy that continues to provide relief from symptoms of colds and sore throats. Use whenever needed to soothe a sore throat. You can enjoy the healing benefits of carrots for health, both internally and externally. Maybe even do this on some periodic basis as I believe all of us have compromised lymph systems with everything we are bombarded with in our environments, food, water, etc. A carrot poultice is a compress made from carrots. It is used to draw toxins from the body, usually the neck area. Carrots have a cleaning action on the lymph glands and a poultice is an easy way to focus that healing energy to the glands in the neck. A carrot poultice can speed recovery from a sore throat or swollen glands. Children love carrot poultices, as they are non-invasive and they are very soothing. Carrot poultices can be used to treat sore throats, colds, the flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, swollen glands, or any time cleansing of the lymph is needed. You can use them as often as necessary.

In the famous work "De medicina" by Aulus Cornelius Celsus written between 25bc-50ce, the use of carrot seeds is recorded. A carrot poultice was also used at the time.

During the English Civil War a soldier of Cromwell's named Valentine Greatrakes entered the service of the Parliament; but, on the Restoration, being thrown on his own resources, he found himself inspired from Heaven to effect cures by prayer and touching; but soon advanced to all other infirmities. By 1666 he had achieved an enormous reputation for his great "cures" of disease by the laying of hands, and the cure of scrofula with the application of a carrot poultice. However his was dismissed as a "quack" doctor, partly because the cure of that ailment was reserved for the touch of Royalty! He claimed to cures many conditions by the laying of hands and was classed as a charlatan, even though the carrot poultice probably worked!

In 1747 John Wesley,MA wrote "A Primitive Physic, an easy and natural method of curing most diseases" , this included carrots in several "cures" - A cancer in the breast - 112. A Poultice of wild Parsnips or scraped Carrots, Flowers, Leaves and Stalks, changing it Morning and evening.

(A Cancer was described as a hard, round, uneven, painful swelling, of a blackish or leaden Colour, the Veins round which seem ready to burst. It comes commonly with a Swelling about as big as a Pea, which does not at first give much Pain, nor change the colour of the Skin.)

In 1791 William Lewis produced An Experimental History of the Materia Medica giving an account of the pharmaceutical properties and medicinal powers of plants. The book promoted the use of carrots as a diuretic, for the relief of stranguary (difficulty or pain in urinating). It indicated that wild carrots gave a stronger effect. It also recommends a poultice of garden carrot root to treat skin ulcers. He concludes by saying the "A marmalade of carrots has also been proposed as an addition to the stock of ships provisions, for preventing scurvy."

From "The Vegetable Family Physician" by Samuel B Emmons, 1836. A containing a description of the roots and herbs common to this country (US) with their medicinal properties and uses. Embracing many valuable Indian recipes.

Carrot poultices can be used to treat sore throats, colds, the flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, swollen glands, or any time cleansing of the lymph is needed. There are also known to be good for healing wounds, burns, whitlows, boils, abscesses, chilblains, chapped skin, cold sores & eczema. Bruising and muscle problems e.g. torn tendon tendon and ligament - Helps to reduce pain, swelling and discolouration. Take a carrot and shred it. Make a poultice of it over the hematoma. Cover with plastic wrap and then an ace wrap. Wear this to bed.

Modern Day Carrot Poultice:

.If you have been to a doctor already and do not need antibiotics (oral or IV antibiotics are the recommended treatment for an infected wound), you can try the following home remedy:

Grate fresh carrot and apply directly on top of the wound. Cover with a warm, moist compress (wash cloth works well) and leave on wound for 20-30 minutes. The carrot poultice will help to draw out toxins and infection and speed healing.

A carrot poultice is a compress made from carrots. It is used to draw toxins from the body, usually the neck area. Carrots have a cleaning action on the lymph glands and a poultice is an easy way to focus that healing energy to the glands in the neck. A carrot poultice can speed recovery from a sore throat or swollen glands. Children love carrot poultices, as they are non-invasive and they are very soothing.

Carrot poultices can be used to treat sore throats, colds, the flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, swollen glands, or any time cleansing of the lymph is needed. You can use them as often as necessary. You will need some carrots and a grater to get started.

Function: Filtering the Blood When you are sick, your body manufactures many white blood cells. These blood cells surround the bacteria and viruses in your blood, gobble them up, and then die. The dead cells are filtered through the lymph system, which acts like cheesecloth, or a filter, catching the non-useful stuff from your blood and sending it to the bladder or colon for excretion. If there is too much "junk" in your lymph, it can get stagnant, slow down, and the filtering, which is so important to health, can decrease. Some of that achy feeling when you have a flu is from stagnant lymph. A carrot poultice is very stimulating to the lymph system and gets it moving again.

Application: Use this poultice to treat swollen glands, sore throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, cold or flu, laryngitis, or fever. Its use is to cleanse and purify. It is a good aid for any cough or cold that settles in the glands of the neck. During a cold or flu, stimulating the flow of lymph is helpful.

Ingredients: Gather two large fresh carrots, one sheet of cheesecloth or paper towel or muslin and a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger (optional). You will need a grater, blender of food processor.

Procedure: Grate carrots finely-- food processor is good for this or use a hand grater. Collect the grated carrots, juice and all, and place them in the centre of the cloth or paper towel. Wrap the paper in thirds, and then fold in the edges to seal and secure the bundle. This can be a little messy but you will get better with practice. The finished size is four inches wide by eight inches long.

Wrap cloth around your neck and lie down. Place an old towel or cloth around it to prevent staining bed sheets. The cloth will become hot, drawing heat from your neck. Rest for at least a half an hour or longer, as you wish. Discard the carrots when done. This can be repeated as often as necessary. You can reuse the poultice for 12-24 hours if you refrigerate between uses.

Option: Ginger/Carrot Poultice Add a few slices of grated fresh ginger to the grated carrot. This increases the heat and stimulates the lymph. This poultice is stronger and has more "bite".

Carrot poultices are an old folk remedy that continues to provide relief from symptoms of colds and sore throats. Use whenever needed to soothe a sore throat. You can enjoy the healing benefits of carrots for health, both internally and externally.

You should always have animal bites (especially cat bites) seen by a doctor since the chances of infection are high and an untreated infection can get into the blood and be life-threatening. Signs of infection are redness, warmth to touch, red streaks extending from the wound, a wound that is discoloured or slow to heal, a wound with yellow-green discharge or foul odour. It is important to see a doctor any time you get a bite or puncture wound to get a tetanus shot--you will likely need a booster if you haven't had one in 5 years. You ideally should get a tetanus shot within 72 hours of the injury. Slow wound healing may also be an indication of systemic disease such as diabetes, which is another reason to be checked out by a doctor.