Nurse Alley directly applies recommended plant material on the affected area. What is this procedure known as?

The procedure described involves directly applying recommended plant material to the affected area, which is best defined as a poultice. A poultice is a moist, soft mass of plant material that is typically applied externally to soothe or heal a wound or inflammation. This method allows the active compounds of the plant to penetrate the skin and provide therapeutic effects directly to the area of concern.

In contrast, decoction and infusion are methods used to prepare herbal remedies for oral consumption or for use as liquid applications. Decoction involves boiling plant materials to extract their medicinal properties, while infusion involves steeping them in hot water for a shorter period. A tincture is another form of herbal preparation that involves macerating plant material in alcohol or vinegar to extract active compounds but is not meant for direct application in the same way a poultice is.

Thus, the application of plant material directly to the skin for therapeutic effects aligns with the definition of a poultice, confirming it as the correct answer.