How to Use Jewel Weed to Fight Poison Ivy

Rubbing against Poison Ivy can ruin a perfectly wonderful vacation hike and even the most cautious of us can somehow manage to "catch" it. Poison Ivy contains an oily antigen called Urushiol that attaches itself to the skin within 15 minutes of contact. This antigen can be carried on your clothing, on shoes, tools and other objects and then transferred to the skin of a person handling it.

There are several immediate things you can do if you notice that you've brushed against some poison ivy out in the wild.

First of all, if you have extra bottled water with you, wash off the affected area of your skin with water. Removing the plant irritant as quickly as possible is the most effective way to decrease your chances of getting a poison ivy rash. If there is a stream nearby, you can use stream water for that purpose.

If water isn't available, try looking for a plant called jewel weed growing nearby. Jewel weed can completely neutralize the Urushiol antigen when applied to the affected area. This plant has small orange flowers on it and is extremely effective against poison ivy and other skin rashes. To use the plant, slice the stem open, rub the cut ends on the exposed skin area. Let dry on the skin.

This weed or wildflower is a prolific grower and invasive plant, so don't try to cultivate it at home, unless you have a spot near a woods where it won't get into your other garden beds. The season for jewel weed is May through October and during this time, it can be cut and gathered, dried or made into salves, tinctures and soaps.

Wild Man Steve's website has great pictures that show the plant at all stages of growth and offers good advice on how to locate and use Jewelweed.

Why does jewelweed work so well? According to Wild Man Steve, it's because it contain anti-inflammatory and fungicide properties that are in many over the counter medications for skin rashes and irritations, including Preparation H.

Most herbalists have their own secret "spots" to gather their favorite wild herbs and mark them to return to each year during harvest time. I gather jewel weed several times a year to use in homemade salve and homemade soap.

On long hikes, this hiker's salve can provide immediate poison ivy fighting ability.

Jewel Weed Salve

Cut fresh jewel weed, dice it in small sections and pieces, flowers and all and pour one cup of olive oil over it. Cover and sit in a warm sunny window for 3 or 4 days. As the oil is absorbed by the plant, add more oil to cover. After 3 or 4 days, strain the plant particles out of your oil. You should have approximately one cup of the infused oil.

Mix is with 1 oz. of beeswax that has been melted in microwave. Warm the infused oil in a pot, (don't boil) and add the melted beeswax. I like to add an essential oil like tea tree oil (about 2 drops is enough for this salve) after the beeswax and jewel weed infused oil is combined.

Pour into salve container, a short squat glass jar with lid works best. This salve can be used for any skin irritation, including eczema, poison ivy rash, and chiggers. We even have used this on acne with some good results!

Jewel Weed Soap

I found this recipe and have been making this for a couple of years http://www.eaudrey.com/glycerin.htm

2 cups glycerin soap
1/2 cup jewel weed maceration (gather blooming jewelweed and boil in 1/2 cup water)
7 drops sweet orange oil
2 drops of orange coloring

And if you just don't want to go to the work to make your own jewel weed soap, you can purchase a very inexpensive organic bar of poison ivy soap at Mount of Olives Soap Company.

Jewel Weed Icies

I was experimenting with various herbal infusions and concoctions a few years ago and came up with these Herbal Ice Cube "icies", which is what we call them at our house.

Take a portion of chopped jewel weed and boil it in water to cover. Boil them about 15 minutes. Then strain the mixture, pour it into plastic ice cube trays. Freeze until solid, then pop out and place in large Ziploc bag. Label it clearly!

When needed for medicinal purposes, take out a cube and apply to the afflicted area of skin. The combination of healing jewel weed juice and cool ice makes all ouchies feel better immediately!

We don't need a modern apothecary of over the counter drugs and prescription ointments for most skin irritations. Nature has provided.

If however a skin irritation prevails or is of unusual proportions, do consult your physician. While herbal treatments are generally just right for most minor ailments, there are those that require professional medical treatment.

Resources

Wild Man Steve

Mount of Olives Soap

Jewel Weed Facts

All Nature