Re: unfortunate rose pruning incident

A type of cold poultice that is good for getting prickles out is made from Epsom Salts and Glycerine. It used to be available from pharacies here under the name Pasmag. I just check my cupboard and don't seem to have any now, but I used to keep it on hand for this type of think. I was first introduced to it by the family GP over 40 years ago after running through a rose bush.

If you can't buy this made up you could get the ingredients and make a small quantity.

tanyak@igc.org wrote:

Last year my finger got swollen and quite painful after I'd been working on
the roses, and I didn't know whether it was a thorn or a spider bite
because I didn't notice anything at the time. Epsom-salt soaks sound like a
good idea. I used various warm poultices, and it got better in a couple
days.

I've used echinacea tincture directly on rose-thorn injuries (it stings a
bit, since it's mostly alcohol, but the echinacea has a slightly numbing
effect) -- works best if applied as soon as possible after the injury. Also
works for cat scratches, which can also get inflamed if I ignore them.

For embedded thorns or splinters in general, I've successfully used
grated-potato poultices. Take a rest, and leave it on for 15-30 minutes.
Sometimes I add a drop of two of essential oil of lavender.

Tanya Kucak
Palo Alto, Calif.

Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 08:08:38 -0800
    Fellow gardners:   Does anyone else besides me find it  impossible to
prune shrub roses without getting a bit scratched up? ...




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