Dear fellow health pals: All the questions about yerbabuena, cabbage, etc. got me thumbing through my alternative medicine books. I thought I'd pass on the following gem about Poultices "A poultice is a raw or mashed herb applied directly to the body, or applied wet directly to the body, or encased in a clean cloth and then applied. Poultices are used to heal bruises, break up congestion, (attention LCs...*my* parenthesis) reduce inflammation, withdraw pus from putrid sores, soothe abrasions, or withdraw toxins from an area. They may be applied hot or cold, depending on the health need. cold poultices (and compresses) are used to withdraw the heat from an inflamed or congested area.(Ah-ha!) Use a hot poultice or compress to relax spasms and for some pains." "CABBAGE: Wash leaf of white cabbage. Break ridges or veins. Attach to running sore. Cabbage has an affinity to pus and will draw out poisons from the body. As soon as the leaf gets hot, replace. it." And look at what else I found, Lactnetters! "CARROT: Use raw, scarped carrot pulp on chapped nipples." Could it be the Vitamin A that heals here? Must be. The above quotes were taken from a book called Herbal Medicine by Dian Dincin Buchman. FYO Roberta P.S. Kathleen, I hope it's ok that I put the book reference. I see people referring to Laurence, etc. all the time...so maybe this isn't advertising?