We are franker towards others than towards ourselves.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Poison Ivy Wash
Desiree
Posts: 211 ✭✭✭
For the third time in less than 7 days I have managed to bump into poison ivy. My go to has been a commercial Ivy Wash from Technu that contains chemicals I cannot pronounce. I know soap and water works but I carry the wash with me when I am out and about so that I can get the oils off fast. Is there an herbal wash that is stable that I could use instead? What does anyone else do?
Comments
Have you tried rubbing alcohol? It is supposed to neutralize the oil. My mother used to put bleach on her skin to kill poison ivy... but I think that's not such a good idea. =:-O I'd try the rubbing alcohol, or maybe apple cider vinegar.
@Desiree A mash of jewelweed applied to the area is considered a go-to remedy for poison ivy by many. I have no experience with it as jewelweed doesn't grow in my area. I would use plantain cause it grows abundantly in my area.
Susun Weed has other suggestions at: http://www.wisewomanmentor.com/wise-woman-ezine/4073704 For her jewlweed spray, if jewelweed doesn't grow in your area, you could substitute something that does such as plantain, yarrow, grindelia or kinnikinnick (this plant is known by many names including uva ursi, bearberry, manzanita. Latin Arctostaphylos uva ursi), based on what you have growing in your area.
You could also try taking the homeopathic remedy Rhus-tox. It is a fairly common remedy and should be available at most health food stores.
A friend of mine recently got a bad case of poison ivy and he used dawn dishwashing soap and it worked really well. So if you make your own or buy an organic dishwashing soap that is a good degreaser that may be a good portable option to try.
torey her idea for the poison ivy spray was great! I may have to try that!
@torey Is there a major difference by using dried jewelweed if fresh is not available? I do have plantain and yarrow, but not the others.
@Desiree I'm not sure about that as I don't know the plant myself. From what I understand it is the fresh plant used to make a mash in the field. The spray is made by simmering the fresh jewelweed in witch hazel but maybe you could use it dried. Really not sure. Says to use all parts of the plant including the root for the spray, so your dried jewelweed would have to contain all parts of the plant.
Maybe there is someone out there who has used jewelweed and could help out with this?
I would try yarrow and/or plantain see how that works. As herbalists, we sometimes have to use what we have been given; what is at hand.
How do I eradicate poison ivy from my garden? Seems the birds drop seeds here and there. I do not want to touch it at all.
I have also heard Dawn, the detergent in it cuts the oil, and if they use it on wildlife, while not natural is better than ingredients you cannot pronounce.
@MissPatricia I gave up on the concept of total eradication of poison ivy. I don't think it is possible. I have learned to make peace with it in a way. I will remove it when it is in a place that I don't want it to be in when I find it. There are safe ways to kill or remove it carefully. I have seen people kill trees and other good plants trying to kill it with poisons, and I just don't want that. I did have to use a hazmat suit once when it got carried away growing in one of my pines, but that was to protect me from the pine needles too. It was a pit comical.
@Desiree
I feel your pain. I am so sensitive to the PI. This is what works for me. :)
I dig up the ivy where I see it around the garden. I use plastic bags (grocery store), double bag it and toss into trash.
Washing with dawn dish soap immediately afterwards helps.
Tecnu, works and it works even after washing 8 hours after exposure.
Jewelweed is best used fresh. I generally use just the aerial portion of the plants. I like to leave the roots of medicinal plants to grow more plants.
Rubbing alcohol and vinegar, burn. If the rash has begun, it's too late for me to use these products.
If I feel the need to spray the PI, then I use vinegar/dash of soap and spray it on sunny non-windy days.
I've heard charcoal soap helps. Next time I make bar soap, I'm making to make a bunch. Give it to friends for experimenting.
Great suggestions. Love the spray idea. I am totally making this and keeping it with me in the field. I love the summer, but not the ivy or skeeters.
I am extremely sensitive to Poison ivy and I swear by this essential oil spray. It stings at first but it takes the itch away and heals it up pretty quick.
1 T. Warm water
1/2 tsp. Sea salt
1 T. Apple cider vinegar with the mother
1 drop tea tree essential oil
1 drop lavender eo
1 drop Roman chamomile eo
1 drop eucalyptus eo
1 drop peppermint eo
Mix the water and apple cider vinegar; add the sea salt until dissolved. Add essential oils and mix well. Store in glass spray bottle. Spray the infected area as needed.
I usually double this recipe. Works like a charm every time.
I did order some Tecnu Medicated Anti-Itch Spray to use after the fact, and I chose it because it's ingredients are Grindelia robusta (gum weed) and Calendula. I am pleased with how it works so far.