Home Remedies for Poison Ivy: Treating Poison Ivy Naturally

Poison Ivy

“Leaflets three, let it be.” This is an old saying to describe the poison ivy plant. It can be found in most parts of the U.S. and grows in the form either of climbing vines or of upright shrubs. Both have leaves that grow in clusters of three, one at the end of the stalk and the other two opposite one another. Poison ivy leaves are green during the summer and red in the fall.

Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

The best approach to treating poison ivy is to immediately run a lot of cold water over the affected area to completely wash off the plant’s oil. If you only use a little water, it may make it worse by spreading the oil on the skin if not done properly. Do not use hot water because this can open the pores, allowing more oil to enter. Do not use soap or a washcloth. If you can accomplish this within fifteen minutes after contact, your chances of developing a rash are slim.

Jewel-weed, a natural antidote for poison ivy, is an old folk remedy used for treatment. It neutralizes the oil so it can no longer spread. The good thing about this plant is, it normally grows around poison ivy so if you know what it looks like, you can crush the stems and rub its liquid into the exposed skin. Even after the oil is removed, jewel-weed will help promote healing. Boil chopped jewel-weed until you get a dark orange liquid, strain, pour in an ice tray, and freeze. Rub the jewel-weed cube on the affected area.

Goldenseal has anti-infection and anti-inflammatory properties. Add 1 teaspoon of powdered goldenseal root to 1 pint of hot water, let it cool, and dab on the skin.

More remedies include:

• Rub the inside part of a banana skin over the area every hour for one day. Use a fresh banana each time.

• Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 4 chopped cloves of garlic, let it cool, and apply it to the area with a clean cloth. Repeat often.

• Use a cold whole-milk compress. Afterwards, wash off the milk with cool water.

• Slice a lemon or orange and rub its juices on the skin to stop itching and heal the skin.

• Apply aloe vera to stop itching and blistering. You can apply as often as every 2 hours.

• Combine equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar and dab on the skin as often as needed to relieve itching.

• Dab some witch hazel on the skin several times a day to reduce itching and promote healing.

• Bathe the affected area in a warm solution of salt water or sassafras tea. Salt and sassafras are both wonderful home remedies for poison ivy.

• Dusting cornstarch over the area will help relieve itching.

• Make some plain oatmeal, a little thicker than usual, and when it is warm to the touch, apply it to the affected area. If your rash covers a large area, blend 1 cup of oatmeal in a blender until it becomes a fine powder, sprinkle it in a tub of lukewarm water, swish it around, and soak in it for 15-30 minutes. Oatmeal is a very effective remedy when treating poison ivy.

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