If you have had the misfortune of running into poison ivy, there is a natural remedy you can use to prevent the nasty rash poison ivy causes. Jewelweed is your go-to plant if you have been in contact with poison ivy. This is where nature really helps you out, not only is there a plant ready to help you stave off the rash, it sometimes actually grows alongside poison ivy!
Jewelweed grows along streams, ponds, creeks and any other body of water. It likes shady areas, much like poison ivy. Jewelweed is very common east of the Rocky Mountains. It is imperative you know how to identify poison ivy as well as jewelweed.
The following are characteristics of the jewelweed plant:
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Succulent, transparent, hollow stalk
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Leaves near the bottom grow almost directly across from one another, while the leaves near the top of the stalk are staggered.
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Long, oval-shaped green leaves that range anywhere from one to four inches
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Rounded teeth along the edges of the leaves
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Plants range anywhere from a foot to five feet tall
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In mid-summer, orange-yellow blooms that resemble a trumpet begin to bloom
To use the jewelweed plant, you need only mash it up in your hands to help release the juices. Rub the entire plant on the area that came into contact with the poison ivy. This is also a helpful solution to rashes caused by bug bites or minor burns. While rubbing the plant on your skin, it is a good idea to keep squeezing the juices out of the jewelweed.
You may not be entirely convinced about the magnificent properties of the jewelweed, but know this, scientists have actually synthesized a chemical found in the jewelweed and created one of the powerful ingredients that is in Preparation H.
Please note, jewelweed is strictly for medicinal purposes and should never be ingested. It will cause some nasty digestive issues.
Author Craig Caudill usually always has access to one of his survival first aid kits, he also knows that Nature has lots of answers too. He shares his knowledge of the outdoors freely at Dan’s Depot. He is also the chief instructor at his Nature Reliance School.
