How to Make a Natural Poison Ivy Soap

When most people physically touch poison ivy, they will develop a painful and irritating skin rash at the point of contact. This is because poison ivy contains an organic allergen called urushiol, which is also found in poison oak and poison sumac. Urushiol is an oily compound that penetrates the top layer of skin and then binds itself to the deeper layers. This bonding can take as little as three minutes or as long as 30, but once it does, a rash is inevitable. Using a natural poison ivy treatment soap as quickly as possible after touching poison ivy may lessen the severity of the rash. If a rash has already developed, the soap will help to soothe its debilitating irritation. A natural treatment soap can be made out of jewelweed, a plant that is very often found near poison ivy.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup blooming jewelweed leaves
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups glycerin soap base
• Double boiler or microwave
• Large spoon or other stirring utensil
• 7 drops sweet orange oil or other natural fragrance of your choice
• 2 drops orange food coloring
• Molds of desired shape for soap

Instructions

1. Boil the jewelweed and water together.

2. Melt the glycerin soap base in a double boiler or microwave.

3. Add the boiled jewelweed mixture to the glycerin soap base and stir until it is slightly cooled.

4. Add the sweet orange oil and coloring.

5. Pour the mixture into the molds and allow them to sit until completely cooled.

Tips & Warnings

• Jewelweed can be found near poison ivy and can be identified by its jewel-shaped orange flowers.

References

• Glycerin Soap Recipes: Jewelweed Soap
• Poison Ivy, Oak, & Sumac Information Center: How Soaps Work
• Altnature Herbal: Jewelweed