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How and where to put mustard plasters for adults and children?

Medical expert of the article

Internist, pulmonologist
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

Winter and autumn are not only wonderful seasons, but also a time of colds, illnesses, epidemics. In the conditions of modern society, the opportunity to be on sick leave, to recover and recuperate is an unaffordable luxury. Each of us needs to relieve the main symptoms of the disease as quickly as possible, improve our well-being, and go back to work. Here, various methods of treatment come to the rescue. Various medications, homeopathy, herbs are used. Various physiotherapeutic procedures are used. In search of the optimal remedy, many forget about mustard plasters and their undeniable benefits for the body. Despite the fact that this is a fairly simple remedy, many still get confused and ask themselves: how to put mustard plasters?

It is mustard that is the active substance that has such a versatile effect on the human body. The powder is made from the cake of black (hot) mustard. The mechanism that affects the body is that, due to the substances and essential oils it contains, it irritates receptors and promotes the activation of reflex fields. They also have a warming, stimulating effect on the body, thereby activating the necessary zones. By irritating the skin, mustard stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic exchange. At the same time, the immune system is activated, the body is mobilized, and is tuned to overcome the disease. Stimulation of receptors is accompanied by increased transmission of nerve impulses, activation of hormonal levels. A number of hormones are produced that have a relaxing effect on muscles, eliminating spasms and cramps. The distracting effect of mustard plasters is very significant, in which attention is switched to sensations in the skin. In this case, muscles relax, and pain ceases to be perceived.

Temperature for wetting mustard plasters?

Usually the water temperature does not exceed 50 degrees. The optimal temperature is considered to be 40-45 degrees. This temperature activates the active substance, promotes the release of necessary substances: phytoncides, essential oils, alkaloids, due to which the main effect is achieved. You need to dip for a few seconds.

How to apply mustard plasters to adults?

Depending on what goal needs to be achieved and what disease is bothering the person, the desired area of the body is selected and manipulation is carried out on it. In this case, it is recommended to use the standard technology specified in the instructions and strictly observe the exposure time.

How to apply mustard plasters to children?

Putting mustard plasters on children does not differ significantly from that on adults. First, take a mustard plaster, soak it in a container with water, the temperature of which should reach 45 degrees on average. Then place it on the skin and cover it with a towel. The procedure lasts on average 10 minutes. The child needs to be checked frequently to see if there is severe redness and burning. Moderate hyperemia and burning, which do not cause pain or obvious discomfort, should be present, since this is one of the signs that the mustard plaster has been put on correctly. But if there is severe redness and burning, you need to put a layer of gauze between the skin and the mustard plaster. After removing the mustard plaster, the skin must be lubricated with a fatty emollient. Vaseline is ideal. Then the body is covered with a warm blanket.

How to apply mustard plasters to infants?

When administering to infants, it is important to prevent burns. For this, gauze folded in two layers is used. It is pre-soaked in water at a temperature of approximately 38 degrees. The gauze is applied, and a mustard plaster is placed on top of it. The procedure should not last longer than 10 minutes. At the same time, it is necessary to check as often as possible whether there is any solo reddening of the skin. It is necessary to take into account that slight reddening is an indicator of effectiveness. If the child is restless, capricious, it is better to reduce the procedure time to 5 minutes. After removing, it is necessary to check that there is no mustard powder left on the skin. After approximately 30-40 minutes, the skin should be lubricated with cream or special body milk.

How and where to apply mustard plasters correctly?

They need to be put on, having previously been soaked in warm water. They are put on the same layer on which the mustard is applied to the body. If it is two-layered, in the form of bags, this moment is not of significant importance. After putting on, it is necessary to cover the skin with a towel and hold for several minutes. Also, then you need to lubricate the body with any fatty agent.

The placement location depends on the disease and the effect that needs to be achieved.

How and where to apply mustard plasters for cough, bronchitis, pneumonia?

A severe, debilitating cough, most often occurring with a cold, accompanies infections of the nasopharynx and pharynx. It is difficult to cure a cough of a protracted nature, which persists for a long time after recovery.

Coughing is a natural reflex act that occurs in response to irritation of the mucous membrane receptors by mucus and other factors. In response to this irritation, a reflex contraction of the walls occurs. This mechanism is protective in nature and is aimed at the accelerated elimination of the irritating factor from the body.

The action of mustard plasters in this case is aimed at enhancing the irritating effect and accelerating the discharge of mucus. Accordingly, after placing mustard plasters, the cough intensifies for some time, which contributes to the effective discharge of sputum, mucus and its removal, which turns a dry cough into a wet one, which is productive. Since it is necessary to stimulate the bronchial area, it is advisable to place mustard plasters in the chest area. Thus, they intensify it and promote the discharge of mucus, thus accelerating recovery.

An infection begins in the bronchial area, which progresses quite quickly and develops into pneumonia with shortness of breath, inability to cough. If the cough is strong, they are placed, touching the areas where the tops of the lungs are located (the area of the shoulder blades). They are placed in the standard way (by wetting and subsequent application), then lubricated with cosmetic fat and covered with a blanket.

Putting mustard plasters has a stimulating effect. As a result, the mucous membranes are activated and the reflex reaction is strengthened. The cough will even increase, which promotes the discharge of sputum. Accordingly, recovery occurs faster.

Mustard plasters are placed on the back. The main attention is paid to the tops of the lungs, where the main inflammatory process occurs, the main amount of microorganisms, mucus and phlegm accumulates. This area is located approximately under the shoulder blades, on both sides. Standard technique is used for placement.

How and where to apply mustard plasters for colds, runny nose, sore throat, tracheitis?

They help eliminate the symptoms of a cold, cough, runny nose, and pain. This is achieved thanks to several main mechanisms of action of the mustard plaster. The warming effect helps eliminate the inflammatory process, as well as the rapid discharge of sputum, its liquefaction. The distracting effect helps eliminate pain, distracting from it. It is possible to stimulate the mucous membranes and receptors, which will lead to an increase in the reflex reaction and will help remove sputum and mucus from the body.

Place mustard plasters on the back area. One procedure requires 5 to 8 pieces. Place in the shoulder blade area, where the tops of the lungs are located, and also distribute evenly over the entire back, mainly placing in the lung area. It is also recommended to place mustard plasters on the chest if the symptoms of the disease are very pronounced and do not disappear for quite a long time. Avoid placing on the heart and spine.

If a cold is just beginning to show its first signs, it is advisable to put a mustard plaster on the feet and the calf muscles. It is there that a large number of reflex zones are contained, the stimulation of which normalizes metabolic processes and ensures the activation of the body's defenses, increasing its ability to resist inflammatory processes.

Inflammation of the trachea, which is accompanied by coughing, pain in the chest area. The usual technique of placement is used: moisten and place.

How and where to apply mustard plasters for cervical osteochondrosis?

Placed in the occipital area, the back of the neck. Do not attach to the side of the neck, since the main nerves and blood vessels pass there, for example, the carotid artery. Irritation of these areas is extremely undesirable, since it can cause a number of negative reactions, in particular excessive irritation, which will increase pain and contribute to an active inflammatory process.

Where to put mustard plasters?

In case of cough, inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract, severe cough, special attention is paid to the shoulder blade area, where the projection of the tops of the lungs is located. When the first signs of a cold and cough appear, inflammation in the nasopharynx, it is advisable to put a mustard plaster on the feet. In case of high blood pressure, osteochondrosis and severe pain in the head and neck, a compress is put on the back of the head. Mustard plasters are often put on the feet for a distracting purpose, to warm the body, stimulate its recovery and defense mechanisms, to ensure the fight against infection and inflammation. On the feet in case of injuries, severe pain syndrome, and also for a distracting purpose.

How to apply mustard plasters on legs and feet?

When people talk about putting mustard plasters on their feet, they most often mean the calf muscles. The procedure is carried out to achieve a distracting effect. It is useful for relieving pain, neuralgia, eliminating swelling and redness, and preventing colds. It helps overcome insomnia.

Most often, the procedure is carried out in the evening, before going to bed. It is also called mustard boots. The patient should be laid on his stomach, after which a mustard plaster soaked in warm water is applied to the calves. The calves are wrapped in a warm blanket. You can put on socks or leggings and hold them for 10-12 minutes, after which it is recommended to remove the socks, mustard plasters and lubricate the legs with baby cream. After this procedure, you should immediately go to bed and cover yourself with a warm blanket.

Mustard plasters are applied to the feet when the first signs of a cold appear, as well as for the prevention of colds during epidemics and flu. Mustard plasters can also be applied to the feet to achieve a distracting effect. Thus, in case of severe pain, nervous and mental overstrain, migraines and acute headaches, and even after a hard work week, mustard plasters can be applied to the feet.

To do this, soak them in warm water and place them on the foot. You can place several so that the entire foot is covered with mustard plaster. Put warm socks on top. It is recommended to go to bed. It is recommended to keep the mustard plaster on for about 15 minutes.

Additionally, it has a cosmetic effect, rejuvenating and softening the skin of the heels and feet. It acts like a peeling or scrub, removing dead skin particles, which promotes its intensive renewal and rejuvenation. After removing, it is recommended not to wash off the remains of the mustard, but simply wipe dry with a towel. Then apply foot cream, preferably warming, and put on warm socks again.

How often do they put mustard plasters?

Having figured out how to put mustard plasters, a new question arises: how often can you put mustard plasters. It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally: everything depends on the disease that needs to be cured. It is better to ask your doctor, since only he knows the nature of the course and severity of your disease, and can predict the onset of recovery. In any case, it is not recommended to put mustard plasters often, since this creates a significant load on the heart. To achieve positive results and avoid overload, it is necessary to use mustard plasters no more than once every 2 days, that is, approximately every other day.


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