How to Treat Poison Oak or Ivy With Herbs

Those who brush against a poison oak or poison ivy plant will experience severe itching and blistering, weeping sores on the skin. Poison oak grows up and down the west coast of the United States and Canada, while poison ivy is more widespread and is found in all states except California, Alaska and Hawaii. The plants are potient any time of year; even in winter, the bare branches are filled with more toxin than the leaves and can cause a very nasty rash. The roots of these plants are also filled with a toxic oil, which can cause a severe rash if you touch them. Treatment options include creams and lotions and herbal remedies such as peppermint oil and mugwort.

Things You'll Need

• Protective clothing
• Soap and water
• Calamine lotion
• Oatmeal
• Vinegar (white or apple cider)
• Aloe vera gel, either fresh or bottled
• Peppermint oil
• Salt
• Mugwort leaf tea or cream

Instructions

1. Prevention is the best medicine. If you know that you will be walking through any area where poison oak or poison ivy grows, always wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and socks with your shoes. Familiarize yourself with the appearance of these plants and avoid touching them when you are in the wild.

2. Once you touch poison oak or poison ivy, a rash will develop within about 24 hours of contact. You’ll know you have one because it is extremely itchy, turns red and worsens in the days that follow.

3. Take a shower immediately after returning from a walk in infested areas.

4. Apply calamine lotion to the affected area as soon as a rash develops.

5. Cook up a batch of regular oatmeal, let it cool a bit, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda and then spread this mixture thickly on the rash areas. Leave it on until it dries and then wash it off with a gentle soap and plenty of water. Don't scrub your inflamed skin.

6. If you don’t mind smelling like a salad, you can apply vinegar to your rash. Both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar work equally well.

7. An easy homemade lotion you can make includes an entire bottle of calamine lotion into which you mix 1 teaspoon of regular table salt and 1 teaspoon of peppermint essential oil. Shake well and apply to your rash once or twice per day.

8. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is helpful in treating this type of rash. Use either fresh or dried leaves and brew a tea containing about 1 cup of leaves for each quart of water. Steep for 20 minutes and then bathe the area with this concoction. Creams containing mugwort are available at natural food stores and can be helpful as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Try your best not to scratch inflamed areas, as this can make the rash worse and can cause it to become infected.

• Commercially available products exist that contain an extract of poison oak or poison ivy. These types of products can help you to build an immunity to the toxin in these plants. Follow label instructions carefully if you choose to take such remedies.

• Never burn poison oak or poison ivy leaves, branches or roots in an open fire as the smoke will contain the same toxin found in the plant. This can cause breathing problems and can lead to very serious health issues.

• Beware if you hike with your dog because if he brushes against poison oak or ivy and you pet him later, the toxic oil from these plants can remain on his fur and spread to your bare skin. It’s best to put on a pair of rubber gloves after your hike in oak- or ivy-infested woods and then bathe your companion well.