Poison ivy is a perennial plant, also known as Toxicodendron radicans, that produces a toxic oily resin called urushiol. If you touch any part of the plant, the oil will cause a rash, or contact dermatitis, characterized by itching, redness and blistering. Herbs may counter the effects of the oil and help cure a poison ivy rash. Consult your health-care provider before starting herbal treatment, especially if you inhale smoke from burning poison ivy or get the oil in your eyes.
Jewelweed
Jewelweed, also known as Impatiens capensis and I. pallida, is a North American native plant with bright orange or yellow flowers. Traditional herbalists used the leaves to wash wounds and skin ulcers, and treat poison ivy, hemorrhoids, asthma, warts and edema. It's also a popular herb in traditional Chinese medicine for rheumatism, wounds, pain, microbial infections and inflammation. Contemporary herbalists rub the crushed fresh leaves and stems directly on the skin to counter the sting of nettles and the dermatitis caused by poison ivy, oak and sumac. Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster also advise applying a compress made from a tea using dried or fresh leaves. Consult your doctor before using it if you are pregnant or using blood-thinning medication.
Tea
The tea plant, or Camellia sinensis, is an evergreen shrub native to Asia but cultivated throughout the tropical world. The leaves and buds make a beverage that also has potent medicinal properties. Traditional healers use tea to treat a range of disorders, including skin disorders, asthma, heart disease, diarrhea and obesity. Tea is rich in phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids, and has potent antioxidant properties. The tannins are astringent chemicals, meaning they shrink tissues and mucus membranes, allowing a protective layer to form over the skin. This action is similar to that of calamine lotion, a conventional medicine for poison ivy. White and Foster recommend applying a moistened tea bag directly on your skin because the antioxidants and tannic acids will reduce the inflammation and relieve itching.
Gumweed
Gumweed, or Grindelia squarrosa, is a North American perennial plant with deep yellow flowers. Native Americans made a tea from the flowers to treat poison ivy and other skin rashes, kidney problems, stomach aches, coughs, postpartum pain, bronchitis, asthma and colds. Traditional herbalists used it to treat chronic skin diseases, malaria, enlarged spleen, poison ivy and poison oak. The plant contains a resin, volatile oil, phenolic acids, triterpene saponins and tannins, and has anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, expectorant and sedative properties. Clinical herbalist David Hoffmann states that it can be used as a lotion to treat poison ivy rash. White and Foster suggest mixing a tincture with water and applying it as a compress. You should not use gumweed internally if you have low blood pressure. This plant can also irritate your kidneys and cause allergic reaction to people with allergies to plants in the aster family.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
