What happens when you realize you touched poison ivy – it itches like crazy. Jewel weed is a remedy to poison ivy itching according to folk lore and outdoor experience for more than a hundred years. A test was conducted at University of Cincinnati in 1991, reported in the Journal of Wilderness Medicine 2, whether Jewel weed prevents dermatitis from poison ivy. There were two prior tests reported over forty years before that supported beneficial results of Jewel weed for treating poison ivy, but they did not follow current standards of scientific testing procedures. The 1991 test concluded jewel weed was no more effective than saltwater or doing nothing in preventing poison ivy rash.
Our modern technological society has fostered expectations, such that you take a pill and your symptoms disappear or you get a shot and you’re immune to a disease. Today, we understand that urushiol is the active chemical in poison ivy toxin. Moreover, it is difficult to wash off and it penetrates the skin. Tecnu is a product claiming to wash off urushiol. Promptly washing with soap and water will lessen the effects of contact with poison ivy. There is no miracle cure to prevent urushiol from causing dermatitis or immediately healing it. I am not concerned with the unrealistic idea of a medicine to prevent poison ivy’s toxic effect, because clothing and/or gloves will do that. Itching is the immediate concern followed by various degrees of rash or blistering, often related to scratching.
The 1991 test applied 15 minutes of perforated poison ivy leaf contact (far more than necessary) followed immediately by application Jewel weed juice. In the study everyone got a rash, but five strokes of cotton tips with Jewel weed juice was inadequate application to remove or offset the urushiol toxin. None of the subjects tried jewel weed juice after they got dermatitis and there was no discussion of stopping the itch. The report did admit methods used could have impacted the negative conclusion.
I have a good stand of jewel weed on my property and recently inadvertently contacted poison ivy. I decided to test Jewel weed on my rash. I rubbed the crushed stems and leaves thoroughly over my dermatitis. It promptly stopped the itching and seemed to enhance recovery of blisters. It did not remove blisters like magic, nothing would do that, but it stopped the itching completely. In the woods I can recognize poison ivy very well, but accidents can happen and later when there is itching Jewel weed works well to stop the itching and promote healing of rash. Always check the fine print in scientific reports. Naturally, if you have a severe reaction see a doctor.
Addendum: After the Jewel weed treatment I did some really strenuous work with much sweating and the itch returned mildly. I reapplied it and it stopped immediately. Apparently, Jewel weed coats or binds to the dermatitis, but is removed by excessive sweating.
Discover more from The Conservative Christian Apologist
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
