Replied By Melissa (Houston, Tx) on 11/25/2009
I used this flour/yellow mustard/egg white technique on my two year old the other day to help with his severe chest congestion. I made it up, held it on w/ an elastic bandage, then went to researching exactly how long I should leave it on. There were extremely conflicting opinions - everything from "don't ever do this to a child" to "it's okay to leave on overnight." Well, I didn't want to do any harm, so I left it on about 45 minutes and then removed it. Within 5 minutes, he coughed up more mucous than I've ever seen in my whole life. So much, it made him throw up, but there was definately a ton of chest gunk everywhere. sorry...I know that's totally gross! but really, it was amazing and I can't be convinced that it wasn't the paste that did it. He still has some congestion, but I'm using alternative methods, as I have yet to decide on how safe this one is for children. However, it was incredibly effective for that one time - he was having very productive coughs for the rest of the day.Replied By Wendypape (Blah, Canada) on 02/20/2011
Avivia Romm has a book Naturally Healthy Babies and Children and she gives step by step instructions for mustard plaster, a picture and times etc Hers is different from this one. You might be able to google her name and this book, sometimes it takes you to a website that lets you 'view' the book.Replied By Jessica (Edmonton, Ca) on 06/17/2011
My family has been using mustard plasters for generations. Not only do they relieve chest congestion associated with a productive cough, but are also amazing when used in conjunction with a steamer for turning a dry caugh into a productive one. We have used them on children 3 years and older with amazing results! Until now I had never heard of mixing it with egg whites, as my family has always mixed it with hot water.
1tsp mustard powder, 3tsp flour, and enough hot water to make a thin paste. I find that a peice of old flannel bed sheet (double wrapped) works the best. Lay it on your chest for no more than 45 min to 1 hour at a time, less for sensitive skin.
CAUTION:I recomend checking skin every 15 minutes to ensure you don't burn. A little bit pink from the warmth and moisture is ok, and you should be able to feel a bit of heat from the mustard. If it gets uncomfortable, or if skin starts to go red take it off and wait until skin returns to normal. If it takes skin more than 30 minutes to return to normal, do not continue.
I hope this helps your family as much as it has helped mine! :)
Replied By Janetk (Clarksville, Tennessee) on 10/19/2012
What if you don't have flour to make a paste? What else can you use?Replied By Maya (Shohola, Pa) on 02/04/2013
I used to use this remedy. Few days ago I needed it and forgot about proportions. So I used about 2 or 3 tablespoons of mustard seed with 1 eggwhite, no flour. I could hold it for about 20 min. because it was burning, but it helped.
Next day I put flax seeds and mustard seeds in a coffee grinder and grind them. I put a lot of vaselina on my chest. Added warm/hot water to flaxseed and mustard seeds and put it on my chest in cheese cloth. I liked it better b/c it was already warm. Maya
