How to Make a Ginger Press Bandage
Ginger is well-known for its medicinal properties. Some of the benefits include soothing sore joints and pain from stiff or pulled muscles. You can even use ginger on twisted ankles and sprains. Here is a simple way that you can turn ginger into a super-medicated bandage that can jump start the healing process while making you feel better at the same time.
Required Items
All you need is a few pieces of ginger root, along with ½ bulb of garlic and a couple of tablespoons of salt. You will also need a good mortar and pestle or other way to mash the ingredients.
Preparing the Ingredients
The first step is to pound the ginger in the mortar and pestle. Then start to mash it until it becomes pasty, almost the consistency of partially-mashed garlic. This will take a lot of elbow grease and patience. While you can cut the ginger into smaller pieces, it is thought that the mashing of the whole root releases more of the medicinal properties. Whether or not you think it makes a difference is up to you. Find whatever way works best to get the ginger mashed, and feel free to test different options.
Once the ginger has been mashed, peel and insert the garlic along with the salt. Start mashing again until all of the ingredients have been evenly-pulverized and mixed together.
Preparing the Bandage
The next step is to take a sheet of plastic film or cling wrap and spread it over a plate at an angle. This way the corners of the plastic will be offset against the edges of the plate. Take a scoop of the medicine mix and place it in the center of the plastic. Gently spread it around so you make a coating that somewhat resembles how you spread refried beans on a burrito. emo
You want to distribute the medicine so that it covers the affected area, so make sure that you adjust portions accordingly. Once you’ve portioned the right amount, fold the plastic over to contain the paste. Gently manipulate the plastic to mold it into the desired shape and place it over the affected area.
Keep in mind that the plastic will tear easily, so it’s important to protect the pouch. Secure and cover with as much tape or consider wrapping some cloth or gauze around the patch if those items are available. An ace bandage will also work perfectly. The trick is to secure the ginger medicine to the affected area in a way similar to applying an ice or heat pack,.
Remove the bandage after around six hours or once pain and swelling subsides. Keep in mind that this is only meant to cover injuries that did not break the skin. Do not use this for open wounds. However, this may prove to be a beneficial alternative to using a heat and ice pack. Try it for yourself the next time you get a sore muscle or joint, and see if this is something that you can put to use in the field if necessary.
