Mustard plaster

The mustard plaster was to the 19th century, a well-known domestic and remedy that has been used against various ailments, and still plays a role in hydrotherapy.

Formulation and application

Various compositions have survived. Pierers lexicon calls about a mixture of sourdough and coarsely pounded black mustard seeds in a 1:1 ratio, but also explains a mixture of black mustard powder, rye flour and vinegar, or only of mustard powder and lukewarm water for effect. Krünitz also mentions an admixture of horseradish, which reinforces the effect. He praises the effect of the mustard plaster, " which in severe head =, toothache, dizziness, ears roar, numbness, chest = and stomach cramps, Asthma, suffocation, body = and back pain, one of the geschwindesten relief means is, yes, in some cases urgent, Schlagflußartigen coincidences and Bruststickungen, can save your life. " There are even reports on the application of mustard plasters in cholera orientalis.

The slurry was painted on canvas and placed or being wound on the skin. Nowadays also finished mustard plasters are available. Surrogates are mustard paper and soaked with mustard alcohol blotting paper.

Mustard plasters were considered " red -solubilizing and rarely vesicant agent" and should help to " derive a morbid attraction of nobler parts ".

Mustard plasters in literature and proverbs

The French proverb sur une jambe C'est un cautère de bois is with This is a mustard plaster on a wooden leg and translated indicates something as meaningless. Jean Paul referred to in his pre-school aesthetics the reviewer Merkel in Tallinn as " a true Reitz means a mustard plaster, a tonicum, a disgust and Vipernkur "

Not figuratively mentions the trained pharmacist Theodor Fontane in the 22nd chapter of the novel Count Petöfy the mustard plasters as a remedy for leg cramps.