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HomeSafeHome:  Poison Oak/Ivy....natural remedies  |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
 Posted - May 27 2010 : 07:56:52 AM
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I have a serious problem with poison oak. Next to impossible to work in my yard here in Tennessee without coming in contact with this itchy little weed. A friend of mine washes off with bleach water as soon as she comes in from the yard to remove the oil of this plant. I have tried this and it seems to help somewhat but I still manage to end up with a patch on me somewhere.
Does anyone have any natural ideas for soothing the itch or healing remedies? I try to protect myself from it when working out and try to rid our yard of it, (we live in a woodsy area). Trying to protect my grandkids who love to be outside is difficult too.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Itching in Tennessee,
Farmgirl Sister #61, Gail |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3329 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3329 Posts |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2010 : 08:28:06 AM
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I get both poison ivy and poison oak by simply looking at it! We've had great luck with Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. I wash off immediately when I come inside, put my clothes in the laundry and I seem to have had great luck this season...
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2010 : 7:22:44 PM
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Thanks Jonni and Melody for your suggestions! I will try to find Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. My grandkids would like peppermint better than bleach! lol
Melody,
I would LOVE to try your Tea Tree oil soap! I will send you my address. The site that you sent was very helpful too. Lots of ideas there too!
Can always count on Sister Farmgirls to help out with any condition that comes up. Thanks again
Farmgirl Sister #61, Gail |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3329 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3329 Posts |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2010 : 5:42:25 PM
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| Thanks Melody, will be watching the mail for my special soap!! |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2010 : 2:16:17 PM
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Hey Gail. I get a newsletter from Shoshanna at the www.bulkherbstore.com. They live in Tn. I don't know if you've ever heard of the Pearl's but she's the youngest Pearl. Anyway, she is an herbalist and has some of the best remedies from things right in your yard. And they are so easy to make. You can go to the web site and sign up for her newsletter free and she sends the most useful info.
She sent a piece of a video she has that is all about herbs and their uses. The one from yesterday is for poison ivy. All you need is platain, jewel weed and aloe gel and a blender or food processor. You put about a cup eack of both leaves in the processor and add aloe gel and process til it's a thin paste. Then apply to skin several times a day. It will dry and is very soothing. And she says you should be all better in a few days.
I am going to try this next time I get into poison ivy. Hope this helps you out.
She had an ad in MJF this last issue, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
Edited by - kristin sherrill on May 29 2010 2:17:42 PM |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2010 : 8:48:38 PM
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Thanks Kristin! Lots of helpful information here! Do you know anywhere to get platain or jewel weed? I honestly haven't heard of either of those. You live in my neck of the woods so I am sure that you have crossed the nasty poison ivy vine yourself. It can be a bugger.
Everyone has given me helpful information and I am looking into them all. Let me know about these herbs if you know where to get them.
Thanks again Kris,
Farmgirl Sister, Gail |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2010 : 06:34:10 AM
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Plantain grows wild right in your yard. It's the little plant that grows close to the ground that has oval shaped leaves with veins growing long ways. The jewel weed I have not seen but am sure there is some around here. If you go the the bulk herb site and click on the video she shows you what it all looks like. And she lives in middle Tn. Tes, I have some huge ivy growing up some cedar trees right in the middle of the yard. The goats love them and sometimes I forget they have eaten it and pet them and there it goes. I just get a few itchy bumps though. No horrible rashes like I hear about.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2010 : 07:48:50 AM
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Well, I am going on a plantain hunt! Growing right under my feet. Thanks for more info about a bulk herb site.
That ivy is growing completely around the fence, the woods, can't seem to get away from it. I want to spray but have 3 cats, a dog, and my grandkids. My 8 year old grandson loves to climb trees, stomp through the brush, basically go everywhere the ivy grows. So all of the remedies that have been suggested will give me lots of options to treat them too.
Just a little added note......I have a brother that lives in Chickamauga on Garrets Chapel Road. He has lots of goats and they just love them. Most are the pygmy goats. Cute as they can be! I would love to have one but don't have the place to put one.
Happy to be near a Farmgirl Sister!
Gail |
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KathyC
True Blue Farmgirl
583 Posts
Kathy
Gastonia
NC
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2010 : 8:35:54 PM
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We use homeopathy for lots of different things. I'm trying this
http://www.homeopathyworks.com/jshop/product.php?xProd=3095
Instructions to avoid an outbreak are included and I am trying it, you take 2 tablets morning and night for a week and then repeat in a month.
I will repeat next week and then clean off my back fence. I'll really hope it works, will let y'all know.
Kathy |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2010 : 07:06:42 AM
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Thanks Kathy,
Will look at the website! Good luck on your fence row. That is what I was doing so I could get the itches!! lol Be careful and please let me know if it prevented the ivy from breaking out.
Gail |
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justbe
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Kris
Garland
Texas
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 05:13:43 AM
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| You gals are fabulous!!! Thank you for all the great info. |
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antoinette
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Toni
East Freedom
PA
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2010 : 5:17:10 PM
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| Thanks Kathy for the website, I may just have to order those pills!! |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3329 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3329 Posts |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2010 : 5:50:05 PM
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Melody,
Thank you so much!!!!! I can hardly wait to try them!! My 2 little grandsons are just itching all of the time. No matter how much we try, the bugs just love to nip them and the ivy seem to jump out at them.........guess it is because they are so sweet! They are to me. From my Mama, grandkids and myself....
A big Farmgirl Thank you!! |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2010 : 03:51:31 AM
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OOOOooooohhhh - I'm one of those folks that the bugs, itchy plants and things love, too - always have been. If all else fails, as it did for my mom when she was trying to keep me itch-free growing up, take an oatmeal bath (a couple of handfuls of oatmeal in a little muslin bag) and rub the oatmeal bag on the itchy parts. Then, give the little one (or yourself!) a little dish of calamine lotion and a q-tip and let them dab it on the itchy parts. If nothing else - it takes the focus off of being itchy! I know that calamine lotion has zinc oxide and a type of iron oxide in it, so if you're sensitive to these ingredients (or just don't wanna use them), you could try dabbing on the homeopathic "Rescue Remedy Cream," too...
I can't wait to see how all of these rememdies work! I just know all this information will come in handy at our house, too...
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
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HealingTouch
True Blue Farmgirl
3448 Posts
Darlene
Kunkletown
Pa
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 6:43:24 PM
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New to you ladies. My first post. Burt's Bees has a soap that has oatmeal and mint. My husband just saw it on Pennsylvania Outdoor Life tonite. Also you can make a paste with baking soda and water which helps. I get it too and it sure isn't fun. Hope you find something that works for you.
Healing Touch |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2010 : 07:27:11 AM
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Thanks Darlene and Anne for the suggestions for the itchies!
Bug bites are awful around here with the high humidity and all.
They can make life miserable, especially for the little ones.
All suggestions are appreciated and I am sure that other Farmgirls are going to benefit from all of these tips too!
Farmgirl Blessings
Gail |
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Grammygail
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Gail
Chattanooga
Tennessee
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2010 : 5:55:04 PM
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Hi Melody,
I received your wonderfully smelling soaps!! I just can't decide which one to try first. So........I am going to open them all!
I use the same old soap all the time so this is going to be a treat.
I will definitely want to order some more for myself and for gifts.
Thanks again Melody,
Farmgirl Sister Gail #61 |
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patchworkpeace
True Blue Farmgirl
478 Posts
Judy
Jackson
Michigan
USA
478 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2010 : 04:04:20 AM
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I'm battling poison ivy right now. My dermatologist prescribes me a big tube of prescription cream every year. But I'd much rather use something natural. Since I have a bottle of tea tree oil in my cupboard, I'm going to start with that! Thanks for sharing the tips.
Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
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mayamade
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
maya
minneapolis
minnesota
30 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2010 : 2:36:51 PM
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jewelweed is a miracle fighter of poison ivy and oak. i love it, it grows right along side poison ivy/oak. i think because the little jewel battles the ivy and oaks.
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9441 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9441 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2010 : 08:44:05 AM
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Thanks for all the great info gals! My son has poison oak or ivy or something and this is the first time he has ever broken out with it. Never used to. Anyway he has it on his forearms and in between fingers and near his eye. His eye looks a bit swollen.
We've been using calamine but he has to keep it covered when he goes into work as he handles money and they don't want it spreading. It hasn't spread as much as i thought so I am hoping it is a mild case. I have to go do his laundry. I am wearing gloves though as I don't want to get it myself from his clothes.
"All you need is faith, trust and......a little bit of pixie dust" ~Peter Pan |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9441 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9441 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2010 : 11:31:16 AM
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Just an update and something we found has worked VERY well.
My son did some research and found that if you rub dirt, yes DIRT, on the parts that have broken out or on your hands and arms right after contact it stops the itching. It also removes the poison when you have just come into contact. Of course washing it off will wash the oil away as the dirt scrubs the oils off and they wash away with the dirt. I was just amazed when I found this worked for him. I always thought it was contagious when it was broken open on the skin and maybe touched by someone else. That is not true. Putting the clothes you were wearing in the wash right away is also something that should be done. If you don't know you have come into contact with it as some people don't, then scrubbing the itchy and broken out parts with dirt will work and it takes away the itch and heals quicker.
farmgirl sister#43
"All you need is faith, trust and......a little bit of pixie dust" ~Peter Pan |
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Sourceress
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Elisabeth
Thurmont
MD
76 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2010 : 12:43:49 PM
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For those looking for the jewel weed - if you Google "jewel weed" you'll find lots of sites with info and pictures, which will help you identify it in the wild. Like Maya said, it tends to grow near poison ivy and oak - isn't that convenient! It's not flowering yet in our area (northern Maryland, up in the mountains) which makes it a little more difficult to find, but once it flowers, there's no mistaking it - those pretty little orange flowers stick right out and shout "Here I am!"
My husband has been battling poison ivy for several weeks - he got exposed while he was trimming the hedge, which turned out to have a fairly large and quite mature poison ivy vine growing all through it. We're going to have to get some major protective gear and go in and try to chop it down/dig it out. Until then, we're just trying to avoid it. I second the recommendation to wash the clothes you were wearing when you encountered the poison ivy right away, and without trying to wear them again. When you do, you want to wash them in warm or hot water, not cold. Also, if you didn't realize you had poison ivy right away, and slept in your bed, you need to change your sheets and pillowcases as well (and wash them in warm/hot water, etc.) My husband reinfected himself off the sheets several times before he figured out what was happening and asked me to help him strip the bed and get new sheets. We did that, but didn't realize it was in the pillowcases until a couple of days later, so then I washed those too. Hopefully our experience will save some of you from having to discover the same thing through trial and error!
My husband looked up home remedies for poison ivy on the internet, and he's been scrubbing the affected area with sea salt and apple cider vinegar, and applying some jewel weed lotion we bought at the co-op (which he says isn't very potent, so we're looking for some jewel weed to make our own stuff with - probably going to need to pay a visit to the in-laws; most of their property is wooded, so much more likelihood of finding jewel weed there.) He says the salt and vinegar thing seems to be helping a bit. He got the first round cleared up and then went out to finish trimming the hedge, and, you guessed it, got exposed again. So now we're back to square one again.
To the soapmakers who posted at the beginning of this thread - I'd love to get a bar of your soaps for my husband to try. Would you be willing to barter a bar for a handknit dishcloth or something? I am the Dishcloth Queen! Anyway, I will go back through the messages and backchannel you about that. Thanks!
Good luck to everybody who is battling poison ivy!
Lis
*the Sourceress*
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mayamade
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
maya
minneapolis
minnesota
30 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2010 : 6:20:54 PM
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| also jewel weed is easy to recognize because the flowers "explode" when you touch them. thats the reason that one of jewelweeds names is "touch me not"it isnt growing up here yet either. maybe someone is a different zone would be willing to barter some dried or fresh it should make a difference (you can use the dried for a salve or soap, or you can dry the fresh for a salve or soap.) |
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HomeSafeHome: Poison Oak/Ivy....natural remedies |
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Poison Oak/Ivy....natural remedies
