What are the medicinal benefits of jewelweed?
Jewelweed has a long history of use in Native American medicine. When applied topically, sap from the stem and leaves is said to relieve itching and pain from a variety of ailments, including hives, poison ivy, stinging nettle, and other skin sores and irritations. Jewelweed is most effective used as a fresh plant poultice (rubbing the juice from the broken stem and leaves onto an affected area can cause immediate relief), but can also be an effective medicine as a fresh plant preparation, such as a salve, an infusion in witch hazel (external use only), or as a skin wash.Jewelweed has a long history of use in Native American medicine. When applied topically, sap from the stem and leaves is said to relieve itching and pain from a variety of ailments, including hives, poison ivy, stinging nettle, and other skin sores and irritations.Growing anywhere from two to five feet tall, jewelweed is a natural remedy to poison ivy—if you can catch it quickly enough. To use its medicinal properties to prevent a rash, you must apply jewelweed to the infected areas before your immune system can recognize the urushiol oil (what causes the poison ivy rash).Even fresh mosquito bites can be calmed through this method, and word has it that jewelweed is also a cure for bruises, eczema, warts; even athlete’s foot. But first you need to obtain it. Find it near a stream or pond in your neighborhood.A tea can be made with a few large handfuls or as much as you can cover with water. Use the whole above-ground part of the plant, including leaves, stems and flowers. Jewelweed is said to be especially potent when flowering. Chop the plant coarsely and pour boiling water over it.
Does jewelweed actually work?
Conclusion. Jewelweed is an efficacious plant for preventing development of dermatitis following poison ivy contact, but soap is more effective. Lawsone content does not correlate with PI rash prevention. Perhaps saponins, the soapy component of jewelweed are the effective agents. If you’re hiking through the woods and come into contact with nettles, poison ivy, or other irritating plants, look for a patch of Jewelweed. Mash or chew up Jewelweed leaves and stems and spread them on the areas of skin that came into contact with the plant. You can also harvest some for later use.Use this amazing jewelweed soap to treat irritated skin affected by poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, etc. SOOTHES AWAY ITCHING & IRRITATION: Immediately stops the itch, heals and soothes swelling and pain, while also preventing further rash and irritation.Remedies for this sting include a plant that often grows next to it called jewelweed. Applying the crushed stem of this plant to the affected area soothes the irritated skin.
Is jewelweed poisonous to humans?
Jewel weed is an annual in the Balsaminacae or Touch-Me-Not family. It got its family name from the seed pods bursting and spreading seeds over several square yards when touched. The seed are also toxic to humans if ingested. Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, is an annual plant in the balsam family (Balsaminaceae) native to northern and eastern North America that also goes by other common names including orange balsam, orange jewelweed, spotted jewelweed, and spotted touch-me-not.
Is jewelweed good for itching?
Natural jewelweed has been used for generations for itch relief from poison ivy, and for good reason! It has the ability to remove the urushiol, which causes that uncomfortable rash. Just wash with this soap to relieve existing rash or to prevent rash after contact. To care for the rash, it is important to make sure the sap is removed. This can be accomplished after exposure with commercial poison ivy products like Zanfel, but good old reliable Fels Naptha Soap (yep, the same thing your grandmother used to wash her clothes and still located in the “Laundry Aisle”) does well.Calamine lotion It also helps to dry out blisters and protect skin from further injury caused by scratching. Here’s how to use calamine lotion for quick poison ivy symptom relief: Wash your skin with warm water and gentle soap. Pat the rash dry — don’t scrub.A topical steroid, hydrocortisone cream stops the release of inflammatory substances that cause the itching, redness and swelling of poison ivy rash. Dab a thin layer onto the affected area and rub it in gently two to three times a day. Wash your hands afterward.Stay away from over-the-counter medicine that is not targeted for poison ivy treatment specifically as they may contain ingredients that will further irritate the rash or cause a separate allergic reaction.Applying topical OTC skin protectants, such as zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and calamine dry the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Protectants such as baking soda or colloidal oatmeal relieve minor irritation and itching. Aluminum acetate is an astringent that relieves rash.
What is the spiritual meaning of jewelweed?
The Historical and Cultural Significance of Jewelweed Traditionally, this plant has been associated with a sense of enchantment and magical protection. This is likely influenced by its historical use in folk medicine as a remedy against poison ivy and other skin irritants, contributing to its aura of mystical healing. The leaf, stem and flower of jewelweed are used medicinally.
Is jewelweed salve good for poison ivy?
Jewelweed Salve can be applied to skin that is suffering from poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, stinging nettle, hives, and other skin irritations. The sap from the stems of the jewelweed plant have been infused in olive oil and strained out, to create jewelweed infused oil. This acts as the base of our salve. All you need is some fresh jewelweed, beeswax, and a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Simply heat the ingredients together, strain, and voila! You’ve got a homemade salve that’s perfect for tackling skin woes. Lastly, jewelweed can also be used in a relaxing bath soak.