Found in forests and damp woods this accessible plant is also a great helper. It can be used for many purposes but its claim to fame is as a treatment for poison ivy, stinging nettles, and other skin irritations.
When you come across a patch of stinging nettles you'll almost always find a jewelweed plant. If you're out in nature and find you've been exposed to poison ivy, oak, or stinging nettle you can find a jewelweed plant, slice the stem, then rub its juicy inside on exposed parts. This will promptly ease irritation and can prevent breakout. You can also make an infusion by boiling the leaves, freezing the serum, and use them at a later date. To do this, brew chopped jewelweed stem and leaves in boiling water until you get a dark orange liquid (yellow jewelweed will not yield an orange colour and may not be effective), strain the liquid, pour into ice cube trays. These will keep in the freezer for up to a year.
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AboutSince 2015 we have been exploring and sharing all the amazing things we’ve found in nature. AuthorEmily is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist who is most often found out in the woods. Archives
January 2021
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