Jewelweed – a balm for itchy skin and poison ivy!

If you're allergic to poison ivy and you don't know about jewelweed, you need to discover this plant! Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) grows in many of the same habitats where poison ivy is found. It especially likes moist, shady sites and can be found along streamsides, in ditches and by ponds. It is an annual plant with delicate, succulent stems, orange flowers, and soft leaves. If you've had a brush with poison ivy, pick some jewelweed leaves and rub them on the unfortunate patch of skin. And if you've gotten into poison ivy and can't find any jewelweed, good news – our Itch Fix is made with jewelweed and is a key part of any first-aid kit! It's not just for poison ivy, it also soothes itchy bug bites!

You can also make a supply of jewelweed elixir to keep in the freezer. Here's how:

Before jewelweed dies back for the year, pick a bunch of the leaves and stems. Remember that other creatures also like this plant and might be living in the flowers and leaves. Harvest with respect, and shake out any spiders and other insects that you collect by mistake. Then cut the plant into pieces so it will fit in a big stew pot. Cover it with boiling water and cook it for a while. Euell Gibbons, in Stalking the Healthful Herbs, recommends cooking it down until the water is reduced by about half. Others simply recommend to boil the stew for a half hour or so. Either way, after cooking it, let it cool and squeeze the plant material so you don't lose too much liquid when you compost the plants. Then strain the liquid and bottle it for immediate use.

To preserve it for year-round use, freeze some of the liquid in ice cube trays. You can take a cube out of the freezer and rub it on affected skin when needed.

How does it work? The toxic organic compound in poison ivy is urushiol, which penetrates the skin and causes contact dermatitis. Although some websites suggest that the compound lawsone in jewelweed counteracts urushiol, some research suggests that it is saponins that prevent the rash. Even if you don't apply this remedy in time to prevent a rash, it can help relieve the itching that ensues. And poison ivy aside, a little dab on your itchy bugbites will take the itch away.

ITCH FIX, a go-to for poison ivy and bug bites. It's made with jewelweed, anti-inflammatory essential oils, calendula, organic oils and beeswax.