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What are the Best Natural Remedies for Poison Ivy?
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Poison ivy is a plant that can cause an itching, oozing rash on the skin of most people who touch it or who come in contact with another person or animal that has touched it. Luckily, there are many natural remedies for poison ivy. These remedies include common household items, such as potatoes, oatmeal, aloe vera, and rhubarb. Other natural remedies nclude leaf, stem and root extracts; oils and teas. These include tea tree oil, jewelweed extract, goldenseal root, burdock root, and honeysuckle extract./p>
The starchy paste that is created when raw potatoes are pureed is one of the natural remedies for poison ivy. Once the raw potatoes are pureed, the paste can be smeared across the rash area. It is believed that the potato paste will decrease the itching associated with the rash.
Oatmeal, rhubarb, and aloe vera are other items that are found in many people’s kitchens and medicine cabinets. Although these products will not treat poison ivy, they can be used to soothe the rash, and may also help reduce inflammation and the itching symptoms of the condition.
Tea tree oil is believed by many people to be one of the best natural remedies for poison ivy. It is thought to stop the rash from itching and reduce swelling in the affected area. For the best results, the tea tree oil should be dabbed on the skin every few hours for several days.
Another highly regarded remedy for poison ivy is jewelweed, often referred to as the touch-me-not flower. It is believed to stop the poison ivy rash from spreading. An extract that is made from the sticky liquid of the jewelweed stem can be purchased online or from a homeopathic remedy store. In the alternative, if a person is familiar enough with the brightly colored flowers of the jewelweed to find them in the wild, the stem of the flower can be cut and the sap can be rubbed directly on the affected area.
The root from the goldenseal plant also is thought to draw the toxins from the poison ivy plant away from the skin, while the root from burdock is believed to stop the affected area from itching. When the roots of the plants are boiled, a concentrated tea can be created. The tea can then be swabbed on the skin.
Honeysuckle leaves are another of the natural remedies for poison ivy that may be boiled in water. The mixture is then pureed and drained. The liquid that remains is then dabbed on the affected area. As one of the natural remedies for poison ivy, the liquid is thought to stop the skin from itching and dry up any oozing that may occur as a result of the poison ivy.
Dee Saale
Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.
Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.
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![Using an oatmeal based lotion can soothe a poison ivy rash.]()
By: Melanie DeFazioUsing an oatmeal based lotion can soothe a poison ivy rash. -
![Poison ivy.]()
By: epanthaPoison ivy. -
![A man with poison ivy blisters on his hand.]()
By: Wild GeeseA man with poison ivy blisters on his hand. -
![Burdock root is a natural remedy to treat poison ivy.]()
By: suppakij1017Burdock root is a natural remedy to treat poison ivy. -
![Poison ivy can cause severe itching.]()
By: Adam GregorPoison ivy can cause severe itching. -
![Pureed raw potatoes is a natural remedy for poison ivy.]()
By: James MartinPureed raw potatoes is a natural remedy for poison ivy. -
![A poison ivy rash may appear as a red, itchy rash marked by bumps.]()
By: librakvA poison ivy rash may appear as a red, itchy rash marked by bumps.
Discussion Comments
There are some very strange remedies mentioned online for poison ivy. I've heard everything from bleach and water to tabasco sauce. Please don't believe everything you hear. These things will not make your poison ivy rash better, they will make it worse. Some remedies recommended by random people on forums and blogs are not safe and could put your health in danger.
It's a good idea to see a doctor and follow his or her recommendation. Some basic natural remedies like potatoes and oatmeal are okay, but beware of remedies involving strange and harsh ingredients.
@literally45-- Yes, tea tree oil helps. It makes the blisters smaller, it prevents infection and helps with the itching too. You should dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like olive oil before applying. That will prevent irritation. Of course, make sure that you are not allergic to tea tree oil first, if you have never used it before.
If you don't want to try tea tree oil, try some other home remedies. One remedy that works is baking soda and water. Mix them to make a paste and apply it on the area. It relieves itching.
Does tea tree oil really work for poison ivy? I know that tea tree oil has anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties but it can also be irritating. Won't tea tree oil make poison ivy blisters worse?
In a pinch, used tea bags work wonders to soothe an itchy poison ivy rash. I had an outbreak of poison ivy last year, and I didn't have any medications to use on it. I had heard that tea helps, so I brewed some bags, squeezed out the excess water, and dabbed them onto the rash. I continued using tea bags several times a day until the rash began to heal. This home remedy really worked well for me.
If you look in the natural section of your local department or variety store, you will find a variety of lotions that contain honey. I have found that this type of natural lotion is very soothing as a poison ivy rash treatment.
If you prefer to make home remedies for poison ivy, try mixing honey with aloe vera gel. Though it is a bit sticky, it is worth it for the way that it soothes the skin and calms the urge to scratch. You can dust the area with a little cornstarch to keep it from rubbing off and to cut down on the stickiness.
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