Slippery Elm & Calendula Soothing Poultice
A traditional soft poultice paste made fresh, applied under a cloth wrap to calm irritated skin.
Benefits
Ingredients
- Slippery elm powder — 2 tbsp
- Calendula tea (warm) — as needed
- Calendula-infused oil — 1 tsp
Instructions
- Stir slippery elm powder into warm calendula tea until a thick paste forms.
- Stir in the infused oil.
- Spread onto a clean cloth and apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.
Interactions & contraindications
Slippery elm powder
Full profilePregnancy
Likely SafeThe inner bark (as a mucilaginous demulcent for heartburn/digestion) is widely considered one of the safer, gentler herbs in pregnancy; whole bark (historically used to induce abortion via the cervix) is a different, contraindicated preparation — only use the powdered inner bark taken orally.
Breastfeeding
Likely SafeCommonly used as a gentle digestive soother; considered compatible with breastfeeding.
Children
Likely SafeWidely used as a gentle, food-like demulcent for children's digestive upset and sore throats.
Oral medications generally
Its mucilage can slow or reduce absorption of other oral drugs — take other medications 1–2 hours apart.
Calendula tea (warm)
Full profilePregnancy
Likely SafeTopical use (creams, salves, washes) is widely considered one of the safest herbs in pregnancy for skin healing. Internal/oral use has more limited data and a theoretical emmenagogue reputation, so it's used more cautiously.
Breastfeeding
Likely SafeTopical use is widely used for nipple/skin care while breastfeeding and considered very safe.
Children
Likely SafeWidely used topically for children's skin irritation, diaper rash, and minor wounds — one of the gentlest, most commonly used pediatric topical herbs.
As a member of the Asteraceae (ragweed/daisy) family, this herb carries a real chance of cross-reaction in anyone allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies — introduce cautiously if there's a known allergy.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Calendula tea (warm) in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Calendula-infused oil
Full profilePregnancy
Likely SafeTopical use (creams, salves, washes) is widely considered one of the safest herbs in pregnancy for skin healing. Internal/oral use has more limited data and a theoretical emmenagogue reputation, so it's used more cautiously.
Breastfeeding
Likely SafeTopical use is widely used for nipple/skin care while breastfeeding and considered very safe.
Children
Likely SafeWidely used topically for children's skin irritation, diaper rash, and minor wounds — one of the gentlest, most commonly used pediatric topical herbs.
As a member of the Asteraceae (ragweed/daisy) family, this herb carries a real chance of cross-reaction in anyone allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies — introduce cautiously if there's a known allergy.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Calendula-infused oil in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.