Jewelweed

Jewelweed originated in North America, and its medicinal uses can be traced back to Native American history. There are many documented remedies with this herb, both for oral and topical use. Jewelweed is also considered an attractive flower - rather than a weed as the name implies - and can now be found around the world.

Health Benefits of Jewelweed

Some Native American tribes have used jewelweed, also known as touch-me-not plant, to treat an extensive list of ailments. While the plant is widely known for soothing the effects of poison ivy on skin, jewelweed's properties have been traditionally used for different medicinal purposes, such as:

• Soothing skin irritations. The juice extracted from jewelweed contains a substance that works as an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine, which can soothe sore and itchy skin areas.

• Treating fungal infections. The sap extracted from jewelweed contains an antifungal agent, making it somewhat effective for skin infections, such as athlete's foot.

Other traditional uses for jewelweed include treating constipation, fevers, hemorrhoids, jaundice, measles, rheumatism, and stomach cramps.

How It Works

A chemical compound called lawsone is responsible for most of jewelweed'a benefits. Lawsone has anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic properties, making it an effective treatment for rashes and irritations caused by insects, nettles, and poison ivy.¹

On the other hand, it has been found that the pericarp of jewelweed contains dinaphthofuran-7 and 12-dione derivatives, collectively known as balsaminones, all of which have anti-itching effects.^2,3

Additionally, the seeds of jewelweed contain saponins with antimicrobial properties, which have been shown effective for relieving contact dermatitis and topical fungal infections.⁴

Jewelweed extracts have been shown effective for preventing and treating contact dermatitis rashes.⁴

Other herbs with antimicrobial properties are calendula, garlic, echinacea, and nasturtium.

Jewelweed Side Effects

Jewelweed is generally deemed safe for external and internal use; however, it can irritate the digestive system and cause vomiting if consumed in high amounts. It is recommended to seek professional advice before introducing any supplement to a health regimen, particularly during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Jewelweed Cautions

Jewelweed has a high mineral content, particularly of calcium oxalate - which tends to accumulate in the body, and it is the most common component of kidney stones. It is safe to consume it in small doses, but ingestion of large quantities can be dangerous. The calcium oxalate can be destroyed by drying or thoroughly cooking the plant. Extra care should be taken by those who are taking calcium supplements or are prone to developing kidney stones.

The most well-known health benefit of jewelweed is treatment of poison ivy; therefore, it is commonly used in the form of a poultice made from the stem of the plant. Aside from this, jewelweed can be used in a variety of homemade and commercial medicinal preparations.

Natural Forms

• Cooked. Young shoots from the jewelweed plant can be prepared as cooked greens by boiling them for 10 - 15 minutes in two changes of water. This is necessary to reduce their calcium oxalate content. For healthy individuals, it is safe to eat the succulent shoots raw, but in moderation.

• Infusion. Jewelweed tea is most often made from the leaves, but the roots, stems, and flowers can also be used. It is said that regular consumption of this herb helps the body build resistance to poison ivy and nettle stings.

• Poultice. The mashed stem of the plant can be made into a simple paste to be applied directly to skin or on a gauze on rashes caused by poison ivy and nettle. It should not be rinsed for a few hours in order to see the optimal benefits.

An alternative method for treating skin irritations is to make an infusion of jewelweed and then freeze it to make ice cubes. These can then be applied directly to skin for soothing effects.

• Oil. It is possible to infuse jewelweed into an organic oil, like olive oil or similar. This will enable the properties to be preserved in a form that can be used when necessary.

• Salve. This type of ointment is recommended for the treatment of skin irritations and athlete's foot. Apply topically as required to soothe rashes and treat fungal infections.

• Soap. A popular way to use jewelweed is as a medicinal soap, meant for treating poison ivy, itching, and skin rashes.

Jewelweed is a hardy plant, tolerant to a variety of environments. It can compete with other resilient plants and thrive. Its pretty flowers attract hummingbirds, bumblebees, and butterflies to the garden.

Growing Guidelines

• Jewelweed prefers well-watered soil, in a shaded area.

• The jewelweed fruits shrink and split when they dry, scattering the seeds in all directions.

• The jewelweed plant blooms from July to October, continuing until the plant is killed by the frost.

• Jewelweed seeds should be sown in early fall.

• The ideal temperature for jewelweed seeds germination is 41°F (5°C).

• The jewelweed plant will grow best in soils with a pH ranging from 3.4 - 7.7.

Plant Biology

The jewelweed plant can vary in size, but it will usually grow between two and five feet (60 - 152 cm) high. Its flowers are yellow or orange with red spots and are up to 1.25 inches long (3 cm), appearing single or in clusters. The stems are weak, pale green, and translucent. The leaves are pale green, but when they are underwater, they look silver and shimmer.

• Classification

  Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is part of the Balsaminaceae family, commonly known as the touch-me-not family, which contains a single genus - Impatiens - with 13 species known to date. The name jewelweed is said to be due to the fact that when dew accumulates on the leaves, the droplets make the leaves become silver, shining like a jewel. The name touch-me-not comes from the fact that the seedpods are so sensitive that they will burst if touched.

• Related Species

  Out of the 13 species of Impatiens, the most commonly found are Impatiens noli-tangere, Impatiens capensis, Impatiens pallida, and Impatiens walleriana. These species can be found across Europe and the U.S., and are commonly grown in gardens. Jewelweed is a favorite among florists, as all the varieties are so colorful and attractive.

Historical Information

It is known that jewelweed was first used by Native Americans thousands of years ago to treat various medical conditions. When pioneers saw the plant being cultivated and valued for its health benefits, they too began to use it in the same way. The treatments, therefore, became known across the world. Jewelweed's genus name, Impatiens, is the Latin word for impatient, which alludes to its hypersensitive capsules, which burst at the slightest touch. Interestingly, one species name - capensis - is a misnomer; it comes from the word 'cape', as in Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, where the taxonomist had believed the plant originated.

Other Uses

• Dye. This plant can also be used as a natural food colorant or dye. The orange-red color can be extracted from the flowers and used in a range of ways, including on hair and skin - similar to henna. Using dyes from jewelweed has been a popular method of dyeing textiles in the past.

Many consider jewelweed to be an invaluable treatment for different medical conditions, particularly in soothing skin irritations and healing fungal infections. While jewelweed is easy to cultivate, it can also be found in public areas, which makes using it in medicinal ways very accessible.