JewelweedPlantNatural Remedies for Itchy Issues

Warm weather brings many people out into the great outdoors. Whether you are camping, hiking, or doing yard work, it can be difficult to avoid small mishaps or coming in contact with some nefarious plant. Thankfully, there are natural ways to patch up a simple wound or heal a bit of contact dermatitis. Once again the Earth has provided us with natural remedies and research has given us a way to apply these natural remedies. Our next mini-series will highlight some of these remedies. (Some of the same ingredients happen to also be key ingredients in our own products!)

Leaves of Three

I have always heard the little rhyme that teaches us to identify poison ivy, ‘leaves of three let it be’. However, for whatever reason this never seems to work for me. Thankfully, I’m not terribly allergic. However, I do know people that have horrible reactions to the oils these plants secrete and some people may even need serious medical attention. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are all very real annoyances where I live for gardeners, hikers, and campers alike. There are natural remedies to help relieve the pain and itching these plants can cause.

Immediate Natural Healing

Conveniently enough there is a plant that can help counteract the irritating symptoms of the poison ivy plant known as jewelweed! Jewelweed usually grows right along poison ivy so you do not have to search very hard for it. It grows in groups and has green leaves with “saw-toothed” edges. Crushing the leaves of this plant and using its juices can counteract the itch and sting of poison ivy! Good ‘ole soap and water is once again the best remedy if you are not able to get your hands on jewelweed. The idea is to wash away the oil. It is not so much the plant that you are reacting to but rather the oil the plant secretes. Oil repels water so simply rinsing will not wash away everything (much like pesticides) so you have to have something that can ‘cut through’ the oil. Wash everything that may have come in contact or you risk cross contamination!

After the Itch is a Pain

Many times we don’t even know we have come in contact with poison ivy, sumac, or oak until it is too late. By then we have found out how many times we touch our face, legs, and possibly that place on our back that we can’t ironically ever seem to scratch. Once the blisters have appeared you are not without hope! There is relief to dry it up and shorten your suffering:

  • Ocean Water (or a homemade salt water solution)
  • Witch Hazel
  • A Cool cucumber slice applied directly to blisters
  • Apple cider vinegar (and more!)

Whatever you choose the most important thing to remember is to wash your hands often and don’t scratch! And whatever you do – don’t let it hinder you from enjoying all that nature has to offer.

 Applications & Resources

iGOZEN is a philosophy and a way of life. We strive to bring life into everything we do and are proud to offer all-natural, chemical-free products that are safe for you and everyone in your family. Feel free to try our Fruit/Veg Wash, Meat/Fish Wash, or our Everyday Cleaner and see what going all-natural can do for you!