Poison Ivy Infusion Relief - Jewelweed (Impatiens Capensis)
There is an interesting anecdote attached to this one. One summer, we found a mysterious and attractive wildflower out back of my bf's mom's house. Later the same summer, I contracted a horrific case of poison ivy. Close to three weeks of scratching, squirming, Calamine-encrusted misery ensued. During a heatwave, no less. I tried everything available over the counter to no avail. Reading up on wildflowers out of simple curiousity - I fortuitously discovered this plant I'd been curious about was called Jewelweed, or Spotted Touch- Me-Not. The field guide I was reading metioned that it's considred an excellent treatment for poison ivy. Right in our own backyard! After doing some research on how to prepare the stuff for use, I found the following instructions at www.altnature.com. It worked within a couple of days after everything else had failed. That it could be frozen as ice cubes had added benefits on a really hot day. Best of luck with this and please let me know if it works for you, too. : )
DIRECTIONS
- Gather the whole plant - with the orange - not yellow - flowers.
- Chop jewelweed (the whole plant, stems, leaves, flowers and all) and place in an enamel saucepan, or a slow-cooker with a non-metallic liner.
- Pour in water, just to cover. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer (or cover and turn the crock pot on high) for several hours until a dark orange liquid emerges.
- The Jewelweed will by then look and smell like a soggy heap of boiled spinach. Remove it, and strain off the lovely orange liquid. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth, or a coffee filter, and pour into ice cube trays. Freeze.
- The cubes can then be used to rub the affected areas as needed. Brings very rapid relief, and will clear the rash in a day or two. The remainder of the cubes can be wrapped in a double layer of labelled freezer bags and it will keep for up to a year.