Mustard Plaster for Chest Congestion (Step by Step With Pictures)

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Last Updated on December 19, 2024 by Kiersten

Learn how to make old fashioned mustard plaster for stubborn chest congestion with step by step instructions and pictures.

When chest congestion strikes – which you know will happen after the doctor’s office has closed, on a holiday, or a weekend – finding any sort of relief can feel impossible.

For the generations that came before us, many families turned to mustard plaster as an effective and natural home remedy for coughs and chest congestion.

It can provide nearly instant relief and soothing warmth helping to ease persistent coughs, congestion, bronchitis, or cold, damp pneumonias.

Learning to make a plaster out of mustard, or even garlic, is an especially useful skill for new wives, moms and homemakers looking for simple (but effective) ways to care for their families at home.

This is still exactly what I do for our family despite my 15 years of training in western nursing and midwifery. I can count the amount of times on one hand for each kid that they have ever been to the doctor.

What Is Mustard Plaster?

Old-fashioned mustard plasters are one of the higher level treatments for chest congestion as it is much stronger than your typical method for congestion relief. When combined with other home remedies like flaxseed cough syrup, herbal steam therapy, and fire cider, it creates a powerful regimen for tackling colds and congestion naturally.

According to the Oxford dictionary, a poultice is “a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth.”

Keeping that in mind, mustard plaster is made by mixing freshly ground mustard seeds with some flour and a bit of water to create a thick paste.

This paste is then spread between layers of thin cloth, folded, then rolled and soaked in hot water to release potent oils.

Once the water becomes cloudy, the water is wrung out and the cloth is immediately applied to the chest or back for a period of time – usually around 20 minutes.

As the mustard warms the skin, it stimulates blood flow to the area which helps loosen mucus plugs that are stuck deep down in the lungs. The result is quick improvement in air exchange and breathing.

How Mustard Seed Helps Relieve Chest Congestion

Mustard plaster’s power lies in the amazing little miracle oils found within mustard seeds. When whole mustard seeds are freshly ground and mixed with water, the fractured mustard seeds release allyl isothiocyanate.

Allyl isothiocyanate is a natural compound that creates a warming sensation on the skin. The resulting heat has several effects that immediately benefit the body:

1. Stimulates Circulation: Warmth from the mustard plaster helps increase blood flow to the chest.
2. Clears Congestion: Extra blood flow and circulation helps loosen and clear out stubborn mucus. If you cough anything up as the airways clear, don’t swallow it! Spit it out.
3. Soothes Coughs: The gentle warming effect of the mustard plaster can help reduce the discomfort of those relentless, itchy throats and reduce a hacking cough reflex.
4. Natural and Non-Toxic: Unlike over-the-counter or prescription medications, mustard plasters rely on three simple ingredients that are safe for both children and adults.
5. Works Together with Other Home Cough Remedies: Mustard plaster is paired well with flaxseed cough syrup, fire cider, and elderberry syrup to manage common home ailments at home.

Using Mustard Plaster Safely

While mustard plaster is an incredibly effective home remedy for coughs and congestion, it’s very important to use it carefully to avoid skin irritation and chemical burns.

• Do not use on children under 2 years of age.
• Always Use Cloth Layers: Never apply the mustard paste directly to the skin. Instead, spread it between thin layers of cloth to protect the skin from burns or irritation.
• Keep Application Time Short: Keep the plaster on for 15-20 minutes, or until the skin becomes pink and a tingling sensation is felt. Keeping the mustard plaster on longer doesn’t make it work better. It can cause significant discomfort or blistering.

How to Make Mustard Plaster

Supplies:

• Linen, cotton, or muslin cloth (about the size of a tea towel)
• Mortar & pestle or spice grinder
• Plastic wrap (optional)
• Large bowl filled with hot water
• Extra towels
• Coconut oil or A&D ointment as barrier cream

A quick thought on self-sufficiency:

Using a mortar and pestle vs a spice grinder to make mustard plaster is a personal preference. I choose to use the mortar to grind the seed by hand for two reasons.

The first is that I don’t mind the extra physical effort because it’s my opinion that it takes the same amount of time to grind by hand compared to using a grinder and having to take it apart afterwards for cleaning.

The second (and possibly more important reason) is that I try to do things by hand and “off grid” if the option is there.

Where we live, we are prone to Nor’easters, hurricanes and blizzards.

That coupled with the escalating national and international climates, I want to be absolutely sure that I have the skills to keep my house running efficiently without electricity, water heaters, access to the internet, grocery stores, or pharmacies for lengthy periods of time.

Having the skills to create home remedies for colds, coughs, and congestion by hand – in this case with a mortar & pestle – gives me greater confidence to handle things swiftly should someone fall ill during a major power outage, storm, or national emergency.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup whole mustard seed (do not use store bought dry mustard powder)
• 1 cup flour
• Warm water (about 9 or 10 tablespoons)

Instructions:

Using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, grind the whole mustard seeds into a fresh powder.

Do not use the same spice grinder that you use for your coffee or it will be ruined (unless you like spicy coffee). It’s okay if some shells and seeds remain.

Mix the mustard powder with the flour then add warm water a tablespoon at a time until a thick paste forms. It should be thick enough to spread but not too thin that it doesn’t hold its shape. My best comparison would be the consistency of cream cheese.

Lay a tea towel or size of cloth similar in size on the counter and fold it into thirds. Take care to press the creases into the folds. Open the cloth back up and liberally spread the mustard plaster all along the middle section.

Fold each side over the middle section to cover the mustard plaster. You will end up with a bottom single layer of fabric, a layer of mustard plaster, then two more layers of fabric.

Flip the cloth over so the single layer closest to the mustard plaster is now facing upwards. Lastly, roll the cloth up as you would a cinnamon roll.

Before you move on to the next step, as it moves quickly, prepare the person or child to receive the treatment. This is important as the plaster must be applied immediately once the oils activate.

Apply barrier ointment such as coconut oil or A&D ointment to the nipples and surrounding area as it can be sensitive/painful which could interfere with treatment.

Next, determine how you would like to position the “patient” for treatment. This will depend on level of illness, age, and modesty concerns.

1. Have the person or child lie down on the couch or bed bare skinned with a towel under them to catch drips. For the girl or woman, a robe with the opening to the front, button down dress or nightgown also works with undergarments removed. The mustard plaster will be applied to the chest or back by draping and not secured in any extra way. An extra bedsheet can be placed by the feet to pull up for added privacy.
2. For the young child who has difficulty staying still for long periods of time or for the boy or man who doesn’t mind going shirtless, plastic wrap can be a second option. After the cloth is wrung out and applied to the chest or back, plastic wrap is placed around the torso to hold the mustard plaster in place.

Pick up the rolled cloth and submerge it into the hot water. Keep it submerged in the water until the rolled cloth swells and the water begins to turn cloudy.

When the oils release, you may receive a very potent smell of horseradish. Try to keep your face away from the bowl when this happens as it can induce coughing (ironically) from the preparer or burn your eyes like a very strong onion would.

Wring out the extra water from the rolled cloth and bring it to the sick person or child. Unroll the cloth and apply it where the congestion is at its worst.

The single layer of fabric is the side that goes on the skin. Locations can include across the upper chest, on the sides of the rib cage below the armpit, or the middle of the back. Place a hand towel over the mustard plaster to keep the warmth in. If securing, roll plastic wrap around the torso to keep the cloth in place.

Leave the mustard plaster in place for 10 minutes for a child and 15-20 minutes for an adult. Check the skin every 5 minutes. It should tingle and become light pink – this is to be expected and the desired effect. If the pink or tingling progresses to a reddened color or pain, remove the cloth and end the treatment.

After the cloth is removed, clean the area with warm water and a mild soap. A warm shower is best. The oils from the mustard will continue to do its job but also continue to irritate the skin.

Usage:

Homemade cough syrup and steam therapy is often enough by themselves. Mustard plaster is indicated in more stubborn illnesses and can be repeated twice a day for both children and adults.

Have the sick drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after treatment to help thin mucus. Additionally, the treatment may cause sweating.

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This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please take all direction for health matters from your family’s primary health provider. All content on the Kiersten’s Haus blog is for educational purposes only.

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