Treating Poison Ivy Naturally
The above poison ivy picture freaks me out because not only does it look similar to just about every other plant growing around our woods, it also shows so many variations for how poison ivy can look, and that's all in just one plant! “Leaves of three, let them be” is how the saying goes.
But what if you're careful and still get it?
The other day a friend called and asked what they could try for their son who had poison ivy. I couldn't remember what I'd heard about that before, so I did what I always do when I don't know something: I put it up on Facebook!
As you'll see at that link, there were LOADS of great responses!
I'm asking everyone there to re-post their comments here, otherwise they'll get lost in the Facebook abyss, where information gets buried, never to be seen again.
Please tell us in the comments what has worked well for you for treating poison ivy naturally, and see the comments below for what has worked for others!
- More natural remedies are here! Information on low libido, ringworm, lice, psoriasis, sore throats, cellulite, plantar warts, and a LOT of other topics, too.
J in VA says
These are really not natural but…my dh swears by painting the weepy areas with clear nail polish (keeping the air out is supposed to reduce the itching) and also blasting the area with a hot hairdryer will also eliminate itching for a period of time.
Katherine says
Hey Kelly, would you please share this post with my Wildcrafting Wednesday blog carnival? I’m sure my readers would love this! 🙂
Thanks!
~ Kathy
Jodi says
We use Joy therapeutic grade essential oil and it does the trick!!!!! This is where I get it from. My husband was skeptical, but he no longer doubts! I have had friends asking for it. Pretty cool. Thanks, Kelly! https://www.youngliving.org/granolamom4god
Commenter via Facebook says
Anne, the natural remedies can’t hurt to try for the itching, I’d try apple cider vinegar first. Let us know how it goes!
Laura says
The herbal cure for toxins in the skin (and it’s a POWERFUL one!) is plantain! You can use it on anything like snake bites, bee stings, mosquito bites, wasp stings, etc. Plantain draws toxins from the skin like nobody’s business. You can smash the fresh herb and mush it on the skin (if you have it fresh). You can make a salve with some beeswax and coconut oil or olive oil (check bulkherbstore.com for instructions on making a salve). You can make a tincture with dried herb and grain alcohol (again, check bulkherbstore.com). There are several ways you could apply this to the skin. I’ve heard some amazing stories about the healing powers of this little plant. Bulkherbstore.com also has lots of Youtube videos full of instructions on making your own herbal remedies, tea blends, and cosmetics. It’s a great thing. You should check it out!
Commenter via Facebook says
My son got stung 3X across his knuckles (wasps). Today his hand is swollen from wrist and into fingers, and very itchy. Just wondering if these remidies work for stings as well, or if anyone has other tips to help? Thanks
Katherine says
Redmond clay made into a paste, placed on the sting and then covered with plastic wrap to keep moist will dray the poison out.
Robert Shay says
When I get Poison Ivy, the first thing I do is scrub the affected areas with dish soap. Organic or regular. Some natural shampoos will work, as long as they are not maid from oil. I scrub really well with warm water. For the most part this cleras up 90% of it. My body reacts differently than some and I get it in my blood and it pops out in areas all over my body. Small splotches. I clean them with soap as well and it usually clears up in a few days. I work outside in heavy brush all the time and I get it without knowing most of the time.
Keep well Robert.
Commenter via Facebook says
I’m sure some would argue the naturalness of this, but when I got into a batch of poison ivy, I bought a Burt’s Bees Poison Ivy soap and it dried it up in no time. In fact, if you shower with it right after exposure, it will actually prevent the ivy juice from absorbing into your skin and ward off a rash. I keep a bar at all times now.
Commenter via Facebook says
I haven’t tried this, but in several places I’ve seen it recommended to mix cider vinegar and baking soda and then dab it on the rash while it’s still foamy… If I get poison ivy, I’m sure I will give that a try…
Commenter via Facebook says
Yes, rhus tox is essential! Take if from two experienced poison ivy sufferers! Herbal itch spray is nice for topical relief, but there is no substitute for the rhus tox. Keep a tube in your left pocket and take 1-3 pellets 3-5x day or every time you itch! (Easy reminder to take it!) We have also discovered a clear link between eating sugar/junk food and increased itching. So eating healthy helps. Good luck!
Commenter via Facebook says
We used tea tree oil on my son’s leg and it cleared up w/in 2 days.
Jen says
CHARCOAL! I got it really bad last September. It was all over my body before I realized what it was it had spread everywhere. The doctor tried to put me on prednisone and I was having a bad reaction to it (breathing issues). So my husband who is Filipino recommended what they use in the Philippines: charcoal tablets.
He mixed the tablets with warm water and made a paste. He then smeared the black charcoal all over my body and told me to let it dry! It was messy, but it immediately removed the toxins from my skin. I was still “slightly” itchy as it healed but it significantly got better over the next couple of days. Prior to that, I had it for about 4 weeks and nothing was touching it. I highly recommend CHARCOAL for poison ivy!
Commenter via Facebook says
Homeopathic Rhus Tox from Boiron or the like
Commenter via Facebook says
Colloidal oatmeal and warm water bath. Just throw some old fashioned oats (NOT the instant or quick oats) in a blender or food processor, grind it up a bit till it turns into a fine powder and mix it in with some warm water. Works like a charm. How thick you want it, like whether you want a lotion consistency or a paste or simply a full body bathing solution depends on how much water you add. Same principal and works the same as Aveeno but without the added chemicals that they add. It’s also much less expensive than Aveeno.
Roseann @ The Wholesome Life says
Colloidal oatmeal and warm water bath. Just throw some old fashioned oats (NOT the instant or quick oats) in a blender or food processor, grind it up a bit till it turns into a fine powder and mix it in with some warm water. Works like a charm. How thick you want it, like whether you want a lotion consistency or a paste or simply a full body bathing solution depends on how much water you add. Same principal and works the same as Aveeno but without the added chemicals that they add. It’s also much less expensive than Aveeno.
Commenter via Facebook says
Bentonite Clay