Long before modern creams, ancestors used a curious “external-to-internal” trick for respiratory congestion and persistent coughs. This involves applying a pungent, warming salve to the soles of the feet—a practice rooted in the belief that the large pores and nerve endings on the feet are a direct highway to the chest and lungs.
The Mustard Foot Salve
While many are familiar with mustard plasters on the chest, grandmothers often preferred the “foot method” for children or those with sensitive skin. By applying a stimulating mustard and garlic salve to the feet, they aimed to “draw the congestion down” away from the lungs. This method uses the body’s circulatory system to spread the warming, antimicrobial compounds of the plants without irritating the delicate skin of the torso.
Benefits
- Expectorant Action: The sulfur compounds in garlic and mustard help thin mucus in the lungs through systemic absorption.
- Reflexology Connection: Stimulating the nerve endings in the feet was believed to trigger a healing response in the respiratory system.
- Warmth for Chills: The “rubefacient” (blood-stimulating) properties of mustard create a deep internal heat that combats the chills of a deep-seated cough.
Warming Garlic and Mustard Salve
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Ground Mustard Seed
- 2 cloves Garlic (crushed into a smooth paste)
- 1/4 cup Coconut Oil or Lard (as a protective base)
- Thick Wool Socks
Instructions
- Mix the ground mustard and the crushed garlic paste into the coconut oil or lard until you have a smooth, uniform ointment.
- Test a tiny patch of skin on the arm first to ensure there is no hypersensitivity to the mustard.
- Liberally rub the salve onto the soles of both feet, focusing on the ball of the foot (the area traditionally linked to the lungs).
- Immediately put on a pair of thick wool socks to trap the heat and protect your bedsheets.
- Leave the salve on for at least 3 to 4 hours, or overnight for a persistent “chest rattle.”
- Upon waking, wash the feet thoroughly with warm soapy water. You may notice a faint scent of garlic on your breath—this was historically considered proof that the medicine had traveled through the body to the lungs.
