What's a safe, effective remedy for poison ivy?

Answer 1

Certain plant poisons may be absorbed through the skin, setting up intense irritation, i.e. Nettles, poison oak and poison ivy.
Symptoms include rash with blisters and intense itching, face swollen, eyes closed. Many pesticides and herbicides have the same effect, for which the following are appropriate.
Internal; Echinacea, Valerian, Black Cohosh, Kava Kava.
Topical. Cold poultices; Slippery Elm powder.
Comfrey, Marshmallow, Mugwort, Witch Hazel, Plantain, Elecampane, Spinach or any green vegetable leaves crushed with a rolling pin and applied.
Dr. F. Ellingwood; "Liquid Extract Echinacea applied to the skin relieves."
Aloe Vera. Good responses observed.

The above information is from 'Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine' by Thomas Bartram. This is one of the herbal books that I use and find it informative and an excellent source of useful methods, applications and specific treatments for ailments and diseases using medicinal herbs.

Personally if I was affected by Poison Ivy I would go out in my yard or local area and find Plantain (Plantago major, or Plantago lanceolata). Choose only plants that are free of chemical residues such as fertilizers, herbicides or other contaminants that may cause you to have a serious reaction if you were to use them for medicine. Pick some of the leaves, wash them in clean water, pat dry with a clothe or paper towel, and dab the area with the crushed plant on the affected area getting as much juice from the leaves as possible on the area, continuing this treatment until you have relief which you may find is rather quick.

The Herb Book by John Lust provides the following list of medicinal herbs for topical application; Gum plant, jewelweed, lobelia, mugwort, Solomon's seal, sumac, sweet fern and witch hazel.

Answer 2

Jewelweed which usually grows near poison ivy is the natural remedy. But in a very severe case such as I incountered several years ago where my "patient" was not getting relief from anything the docors prescribed .I used burdock. I made a ticture for her to use to work from inside out. And made a salve for her to use on exterior areas of rash and sores. She immediately got relief from itching and everyday the pain was reduced from effected areas. Both legs had been badly inffected and were very painful with open sores when we started. It took about two weeks until it was completely healed.

Answer 3

I am one of those people who need only walk by it to get it! NOTHING I have ever tried gets rid of it, other than going to the doctor and getting steroids such are prednisone and some really high concentrate cortisone creme. It's easier to prevent getting it than to cure it. You can get it from roots that are no where near the plants, the dog who just ran through it and if it's in the air right after someone cut the lawn. There are some good cremes that I put on before I go out in the yard and work and then I always wash skin and get rid of all clothes when I come in.

Answer 4

There is a plant called jewelweed. This plant is a natural remedy for the rash of poison ivy. I found it while researching for home remedies for the itch of a poison ivy rash. If you have this plant near you, you can break the stem & rub the liquid on the rash site & it will stop the itch for awhile & it does help to dry it up quicker.
Go to this link to read more: http://altnature.com/jewelweed.htm

Answer 5

It gets inside your blood. It is not just a topical rash as many think. The doctors gave me a shot of steroids and it cleared a terrible case I had up. (Actually, I needed two shots.)

Oatmeal, creams, baths, etc did not work at all. I have to agree with the guy before me on all counts.

Answer 6

Get in the shower and turn the water as hot as you can stand it.shower the affected area until its as hot as you can stand then blot (do not rub) it dry with a towel. Nobody knows why but the itching will stop for a few hours. It also works with poison oak, or most itching insect bites.

Answer 7

I've had it before. Scrub with diluted bleach and dab on some wet oatmeal & let it dry on the area. Leave the oatmeal on for 24 hrs & repeat. Or, try Calamine lotion.

Answer 8

You should try Ivy-dry. In my store we keep it in the pharmacy. Usually around $10 but it works, this is what the pharmacist always recommends to our customers.

Answer 9

Try the homeopathic remedy rhus toxidendrum. Millions of people use this form of vibrational medicine worldwide.

Answer 10

Try 'Nui' pure 100% unadulterated coconut oil. It will stop the itching, is non chemical and IT WORKS!!!