Table of Contents
Jewelweed is most commonly known for its antipruritic use in the treatment of poison ivy rash. It has also been used as an agent to promote blood flow, for postchildbirth and joint pain, bruises and swelling, and as an antidote to fish poisoning.
What are the benefits of jewelweed?
Jewelweed is anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, and anti-fungal, and has been used for centuries as a remedy for poison ivy. It is often found growing right next to poison ivy. It also been used successfully to treat other skin ailments, including eczema, bug bites, nettle rashes, and fungal infections.
Can you eat jewelweed?
Jewelweed (Impatiens spp.) is a tenacious annual that grows in swampy and shady areas. While jewelweed is edible, you need to cook most parts of it to remove the potentially harmful compounds it contains before eating it.
Why is jewelweed called Touch-Me-Not?
Description: Jewelweed grows to be a wild bush. The Jewelweed is also called a “Touch-Me-Not” because upon touching the ripe seed pods, they explode. The Spotted Touch-Me-Not is orange with spots. The flower has an opening at the top, and the flower hangs off of the stems.
What can you do with jewelweed?
People take jewelweed by mouth to treat mild digestive disorders, as well as rashes caused by poison ivy. Some people also apply jewelweed directly to the skin for poison ivy.
How do you make jewelweed tea?
Bring the water to boil and then cover the plant material with the water. The tea quickly begins to turn orange. Cover the pot with a lid and let it steep 6-8 hours or over night at room temperature. In the morning remove big pieces of the plant material with a pair of tongs.
Can I drink jewelweed tea?
Gather jewelweed leaves, not the flowers, and boil them to make a tea. Dab this over the area of the rash. You can freeze any remaining tea in an ice cube tray but label it so no one makes a mistake and adds it to a beverage.
What part of jewelweed is edible?
Foraging Jewelweed Seed Pods (Tastes like walnuts!) The leaves and stalks are of questionable edibility, but the seedpods are a particularly special treat. Eaten carefully right off the plant, they pop in your mouth (which the kids love) and taste just like English walnuts.
How do you make jewelweed salve?
Instructions Chop up the jewelweed and place it in a mason jar. Fill it with olive oil. Make a warm infusion by gently heating the jar in a bath of simmering water for a few hours. Strain the oil by using a coffee filter, napkin, or paper towel.
Can chickens eat jewelweed?
In the wild or in free range flocks, chickens forage all day long. Dandelions, chick weed, wild violets, jewel weed, plantain leaves and clover are some of the wild herbaceous plants chickens love to snack on.
Can you transplant jewelweed?
The scientific name for spotted jewelweed is Impatiens capensis. This plant has a taproot, making it difficult to transplant. The seeds may require treatment in a refrigerator for a couple of months (maybe even twice with a warm, moist period in between) prior to planting in fall in order to germinate.
What is another name for jewelweed?
Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, is an annual plant in the balsam family (Balsaminaceae) native to northern and eastern North America that also goes by other common names including orange balsam, orange jewelweed, spotted jewelweed, and spotted touch-me-not.
How do you harvest and use jewelweed?
Once jewelweed is dry, it loses most of its medicinal properties. Harvest the aerial parts of jewelweed (leaves, flower, and stems) once it has started blooming. Jewelweed likes water and the woods, so I encourage folks to do some woods walking if you don’t already know of a patch.
What does jewelweed do for poison ivy?
Above all, Jewelweed is great for combating poison ivy rash. The juice that comes from the stems and leaves helps to clear up the rash, speeding drying of the liquid-filled blisters and rash that follows. The juice can also be used to relieve itching.
Can jewelweed cure poison ivy?
Results: Jewelweed mash was effective in reducing poison ivy dermatitis, supporting ethnobotanical use. However, jewelweed extracts were not effective; and soaps made of these extracts were effective but no more so than jewelweed-free soaps.
Is jewelweed good for bug bites?
Jewelweed helps relieve itchy skin If you are a hiker, allergic to poison ivy or outdoorsy type of person like me, jewelweed is a great plant to know. They are a great remedy for poison ivy, insect bites or anything that’s causing itchy skin.
Can I freeze jewelweed?
Preserve Jewelweed by Freezing Fresh jewelweed can be frozen and used like fresh. I’ve had no problem with bringing it up to room temperature. It gets limp, but it also does shortly after being picked so it’s no big deal. You can freeze it whole, or chopped.
What is jewelweed soap?
Jewelweed soap is a soap made with Jewelweed infused water and oils. It is packed with Jewelweed! I also recommend using camphor essential oil in your soap. This will help to calm any irritated skin and soothes itching if you are already starting to break out.
