Natural Therapies for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

It’s summer time! That means we get to spend a lot more time outside, playing in nature. That also means we can be more likely to bump into a poison ivy or poison oak plant. These plants are probably one of the most common allergenic plants in the USA. These plants grow in every state except for Alaska. They are common along roadsides, forests, pastures, streams, and even in some backyards. The first symptom of poison ivy is a burning and itching sensation.  This is followed by the development of a rash that is often accompanied by swelling, oozing, and blistering. Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few hours to seven days after contact and tend to be at their worst between the fourth and seventh days. Here are some natural therapies to help relieve the symptoms from poison ivy and poison oak.

• Aloe vera gel helps to relieve the burning and itching. Apply pure aloe vera gel as needed.
• A strong tea made of equal parts lime water and white oak bark is very good for poison ivy and poison oak. Apply a compress wet with this solution.
• Tree tree oil disinfects and heals skin conditions.
• Witch hazel helps to stop the itching and aids in healing.
• Stay cool. Sweating and heat can make the itching worse.
• Light weight fabrics do not provide adequate protection against poison ivy or poison oak because the sap can easily penetrate them.
• If you know you have come into contact with poison ivy, remove all clothing and shoes and immediately scrub your skin using brown or yellow laundry soap and water or alcohol to remove the irritating oil. Lather several times and rinse in running water after sudsing.
• For a severe case of poison ivy, consult a physician.

References

Balch, P. A. (2006). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. New York, NY: Penguin Books Ltd.

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