New publications
Where, when and how to put mustard for cough?
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The location of the application of warming mustard plasters depends on the indications for their use.
- When coughing, they are placed on the back and/or chest.
- In case of a runny nose, the bags are placed in the area of the calf muscles and on the feet.
- If the cough occurs due to bronchitis, the drug is applied to the back and chest simultaneously, but so that it does not affect the heart area.
- For a lingering dry cough, mustard plasters are placed between the shoulder blades, on the upper back, and on the front and sides of the chest.
- For high blood pressure - on the calf muscles.
- For headaches and migraines - on the back of the neck.
The preparation should not be applied to sensitive skin, as well as to damaged or inflamed tissue. The areas near the heart muscle and spine are prohibited. For children and hypersensitive people, mustard plasters are applied through gauze or thin paper.
If mustard plasters are applied correctly, a burning sensation will appear after 1-2 minutes. If severe itching and burning appear after 10-15 minutes, this may be a sign of an allergic reaction. In this case, the preparation should be removed and the skin should be wiped with a damp towel.
To achieve a lasting therapeutic effect, the procedures are carried out for 3-5 days. In particularly severe cases – up to 10 days.
When can you use mustard plasters for a cough?
For severe cough and acute respiratory diseases, various warming procedures are effective, including mustard plasters. They can be applied after severe hypothermia to prevent the development of a cold, as well as at the first symptoms of cough, chest pain and throat pain. They help with muscle pain and hypertension.
- For lingering coughs and bronchitis, mustard plasters are placed under and between the shoulder blades. Compresses can be placed on the back and chest, but do not touch the heart area.
- In case of a runny nose, mustard plasters are applied to the feet. The preparation is fixed with bandages or a piece of flannel fabric and warm socks are always worn.
It is better to carry out medical procedures before going to bed. During therapy, it is recommended to drink warm tea and hot herbal infusions. But if the painful condition is accompanied by an elevated body temperature or cough with sputum, then mustard plasters and other warming methods are contraindicated.
Mustard plasters on the back for coughs
The medicinal properties of mustard are activated when in contact with warm water. The plant product releases essential oils that irritate local areas of the body, dilate blood vessels and increase blood circulation, creating a warming effect.
A kind of shake-up of the nervous system occurs, due to which the concentration of adrenaline and other mediators in the blood increases. This increases the absorption of harmful viruses and microorganisms, the body's resistance increases, and the patient's condition improves.
In case of bronchitis, colds, pneumonia and other diseases with coughing fits, it is effective to use mustard plasters. They are placed on the back, between and under the shoulder blades. This arrangement of compresses warms the bronchi, relieves coughing and improves sputum discharge. To carry out the procedure, mustard plasters are moistened in warm water and applied to the back. To enhance the warming effect, the preparation is covered with polyethylene film and a towel. The duration of the procedure is 5-15 minutes, 1 time per day for 5-10 days.
Mustard plasters for cough on legs
Warming procedures are effective for treating cough. Warming activates blood circulation, increases oxygen flow, facilitates breathing, expands the bronchi, stimulates local immunity and promotes recovery.
There are many biologically active points on the feet. When exposed to heat, a number of physiological processes occur in the body that have a beneficial effect on well-being.
Mustard plasters for coughing on the feet are allowed for adults and children over 3 years old. This arrangement of compresses not only fights coughing fits and relieves chest pain, but also improves nasal breathing. In addition to applying mustard plasters, feet can be steamed in a solution of warm water with mustard powder. The procedure has a beneficial effect on the immune system, alleviating the painful condition.
Mustard plasters on the heels for coughs
Mustard powder compresses used to treat coughs and other cold symptoms can be applied not only to the chest or back, but also to the heels. The heels contain a large number of nerve endings connected to the brain and spinal cord. Irritation of the nerve endings leads to the dilation of the respiratory system vessels and relief of coughing fits.
It is recommended to put mustard plasters on your heels in socks or make special warming baths. The whole point is that thick, rough skin on the feet does not allow the active components of mustard to work effectively.
To steam your heels in a mustard bath, you need to:
- Prepare a container with water at 40-50°C.
- Dissolve two tablespoons of dry mustard powder in water (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water).
- Place your feet in the water and wrap yourself in a warm blanket.
- As the bath cools, add hot water.
- The procedure is carried out for 20-30 minutes or until a burning sensation appears in the legs.
- After the session, put on warm socks, drink hot tea and wrap yourself in a warm blanket for a couple of hours.
To achieve a lasting therapeutic effect, treatment is carried out daily before bedtime for 5-10 days.
Mustard plasters on calves for cough
Mustard plasters on the calves will help to suppress acute coughing attacks with severe chest pain. Such application of compresses has useful properties:
- Reduces the intensity of the inflammatory process in the respiratory system.
- Normalizes body temperature.
- Relieves headaches and stops migraine attacks.
- Facilitates nasal breathing.
Mustard compresses are soaked in warm water and applied to the calves, securing them with polyethylene film. To enhance the warming effect, you need to put on warm high socks or wrap your legs in a blanket.
The duration of the procedure is 10-12 minutes, the frequency of the procedure and the total duration of treatment depend on the severity of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient's body (age, presence of contraindications, side effects).
Mustard plasters in socks for coughs
Mustard contains a large number of essential oils that irritate the skin and speed up the blood circulation process. Therefore, the use of a herbal remedy is effective in treating coughs and other signs of colds.
In addition to applying mustard plasters to the back, chest, neck and calves, there is an equally effective method of treatment - mustard plasters in socks. This procedure is effective when the first painful symptoms appear or when 3 or more days have passed since the illness.
For the procedure, you should prepare dry mustard powder, as well as clean cotton and warm socks.
- Wash your feet and dry them thoroughly. Mustard will cause a strong burning sensation when it comes into contact with wet skin.
- Pour the powder into cotton socks. For an adult 1-2 tablespoons, and for a child ½ -1 teaspoon.
- Put on socks with powder and warm woolen or terry socks on top.
It is recommended to wear such socks for at least 6-8 hours, so it is better to carry out the procedure immediately before going to bed. If the treatment is carried out for small children, then the active substance is poured onto the outside of a thin sock so that the mustard does not come into contact with delicate skin.
This procedure is reflexive, so it is effective not only for coughing, but also for running nose. Due to irritation of skin receptors of feet, there is a reflex reduction of swelling of the nasal mucosa. The course of treatment should not exceed 10 days. The procedures are carried out once a day, before going to bed at night.
Mustard plasters on the throat for coughs
Another option for using mustard plasters to treat coughs is compresses on the throat. The skin of the neck is especially sensitive, so it is recommended to wrap the plaster soaked in water in a thin towel and then apply it.
The procedure is effective in the progression of tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, laryngitis. Mustard plasters are applied to the throat for coughing every other day and kept for 3 to 7 minutes. If acute pain and burning appear, the compresses are removed earlier.
In addition to the throat and neck area, lotions can be used in the classic way, that is, on the chest. For the treatment of the upper respiratory tract and colds, applications are placed on the middle third of the chest. For pneumonia and bronchitis - on the upper third of the chest. In this case, the area near the heart muscle should not be touched. The time for such a procedure is 5-15 minutes for an adult and no more than 5 minutes for a child.
How to apply mustard plasters for cough?
Another important aspect of using a local remedy based on mustard powder is its correct application. In order to correctly apply mustard plasters for the treatment of cough, you should adhere to the following rules:
- The patient is placed on his back or stomach. The skin is carefully examined for rashes, wounds or abrasions.
- A thin layer of nourishing cream or oil is applied to the skin.
- Mustard plasters are placed in warm water until they are completely soaked.
- The side covered with mustard is used to apply the preparation to the skin.
- The patches are placed under the collarbones, in the interscapular region and on the chest along the midline.
- To enhance the warming effect, mustard plasters are covered with plastic wrap or a towel and blanket.
40-60 seconds after the drug is installed, the condition of the skin should be checked for allergic reactions and to prevent thermal burns.
The procedure is carried out for 5-15 minutes. After its completion, the compresses are removed, the skin is wiped with a damp towel and, if necessary, cream is applied. After this, the patient is wrapped in a blanket and given a warm drink (herbal decoctions, tea). It is recommended to spend 1-3 hours in this state, so it is most convenient to put mustard plasters before bedtime.
How long should you keep mustard plasters on for a cough?
The duration of the warming procedure with mustard plasters depends on the age of the patient. Treatment is permitted for patients over 3 years old. In this case, compresses are applied to a layer of gauze soaked in water so that the delicate baby skin does not get a thermal burn.
Duration of procedure:
- From 3 to 5 years – 2-3 minutes.
- From 5 to 7 years old – 5 minutes.
- From 7 to 9 years old – 10 minutes.
- Over 9 years old, teenagers and adults – 15 minutes.
For adults, the duration of the first session should be about 5 minutes, then the treatment time is gradually increased, reaching 15-20 minutes.
How many days should you apply mustard plasters for a cough?
In case of unproductive cough, treatment with mustard plasters is carried out for 5-6 days. In particularly severe cases, for example, with bronchitis or prolonged coughing fits, therapy can last up to 10 days.
Warming procedures are carried out once a day. The optimal time for a session is before going to bed. Treatment can be carried out every other day or daily.