Pure-n-Simple Soap

Did you know that one of the best cures for Poison Ivy comes from a plant that most likely grows wild not too far from your home; if you live in any Eastern part of North America?  This plant is Jewelweed, and has become very popular among homemade soap makers as an ingredient in making homemade soaps for treating poison ivy.

Jewelweed is not just for soap makers, but for anyone who has encountered Poison Ivy, Stinging Nettles, Poison Oak, and or any other rash inducing plants.  The plant is found in moist wooded areas, and along creek beds.  It grows 3 to 5 feet tall, has a bamboo like stalk, and blooms both yellow and orange.  The yellow Jewel weed is called Pale Jewelweed and the orange is called Spotted Jewelweed.  Jewelweed is also referred to as “touch me not’s”  for if you so slightly touch the seed pods they pop!

The orange Jewelweed is known to have more medicinal value than the yellow, however the yellow is also know to effectively treat Poison Ivy.  In the field to treat Poison Ivy, simply take the stalk and slice it open, or mash it up until the oils inside the stalk comes out.  Now take that and rub it on the infected area.  You can also harvest the stalk and leaves and boil them in water for about 20 minutes until the water has turned an orange-like color. Note this will only work with the orange Jewelweed.  After boiling strain the water out into ice cube trays.  You can store these cubes in your freezer for up to one year to effectively treat Poison Ivy or relieve the burn of Stinging Nettles.  To view more photos on Jewelweed and read an article my son has just recently written on Jewelweed click on this link.