A Friend and a Foe -- Antidote to Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy -- The Foe

Poison ivy in its reddish form

Many of us have seen poison-ivy in the wild, but did you ever see it in its red stage.  This usually happens in the fall, when leaves change.  But, our unpredictable weather has advanced the colour change in many plants.  Here it is with red leaves, and still an irritant to those sensitive to it.  Here is another photo of poison oak with serrated leaf edges.  In all cases, the leaves will irritate your skin if you are one of the 85% who are sensitive to it.

Poison oak is actually a shrub

Many of us think that there is no antidote to poison ivy and that we must suffer until the effects of the irritating poison ivy oils wear off.  But, fear not, forest friend!  The next time you are in the forest and fear that you have touched poison-ivy, look for the antidote nearby; 'Jewel weed', a.k.a. 'Touch-me-not'. 

Touch-me-not -- The Friend

Pale touch-me-not

Flowering  this time of year if the very pretty “Spotted Jewelweed” a.k.a Touch-me-not (it gets its name from the seed pods that appear in late summer which can explode open upon the slightest touch).  Not only should you freely touch ‘Touch-me-not’, you should grab as much of it as possible, crush it in your hands until it is almost to a pulp.  Then, rub it all over the affected area on your skin.  The key to the antidote is to apply the crushed stems directly to your skin soon after being exposed to poison ivy (do not wait until you see the rash the next day).  This should prevent the burning rash from appearing or from becoming too severe to handle. 

Spotted touch-me-not

Crush the leaves of the Touch-me-not into your hands
and rub directly onto the affected area

Touch-me-nots have also been known to be used for other skin irritations like eczema, burns, and cuts.  Take a look if it on your next forest walk.

This information was intended as a tip, and not as medical advice.   See your physician or naturopath for professional advice on poison ivy antidotes.

Leaves of Three, Let it Be?

With the weather warming up, many hikers, especially parent hikers, might be wary of poison ivy along the trails.  But, what does it look like?  Can we safely identify it amongst the other "leaves of three; let it be"? 

Here some three-leaved plants that might be confused with poison ivy:

1.  Wild  Strawberry 

Wild Strawberry



Leaves:

long hairy stalks with toothed teeth

Edible? Toxicity?

Edible fruit and edible fresh or dried leaves.  Partially wilted leaves have been known to contain toxins.  Many people are allergic to the strawberry fruit, so be aware of your child's allergies to common foods.

2.   Trillium  

Leaves of White Trillium (Trillium Grandiflorum)



Leaves:

in a whorl of 3; almost stalkless; broadly diamond-shaped, slim, or mottled green with white; smooth edges 

Edible? Toxicity?

No known allergens

Purple Trillium or Purple Wake Robin

Mottled Leaves of Toad Trillium

 

3.  Jack-in-the-Pulpit 

Leaves and Flower of Jack-in-the-Pulpit



Leaves: 

usually appear with 2 leaves per plant , each with 3 leaflets; dullish green; each leaflet with a middle vein with many branches; each leaflet is usually rounder at base with a narrow point

Edible? Toxicity?

This plant is poisonous only if ingested.  Touching the plant does not seem to cause any known allergic reaction.

 

4.  Beech (young emerging leaves) 

Young, glossy beech leaves not leaves of three

Leaves:

The leaf at the very tip of a branch on many trees, including beech, are single leaves.  Because they do not have an opposite or alternate pair, the first three leaves a the tip of many branches might look like a trio of sorts.  Fear not!  If it grows on a tree with a trunk and is way above ground, it is not poison ivy.

5.  Poison Ivy



Poison Ivy leaves close to the ground

Leaves:

bright, glossy green (newest leaflets can be reddish brown); 3 oval leaflets; each leaflet entirely or partly teethed coarsely.  Trailing like a vine or in a small shrub.

Edible? Toxicity?

Do not eat this plant.  It contains an oily resin that causes a nasty skin reaction when touvhed.  Many people are very sensitive to poison ivy resin.  The resin is not airborne, but it can be carried on clothing, pet fur, tools, and even smoke particles from burning plants. REMOVAL of resin by washing with a strong soap.  The liquid that oozes from the skin does not contain the allergen. 

Red or Meadow Clover

6.  Clover

Leaves: 

on a low-lying bush, alternate leaves with 3 leaflets; sometimes stalked leaves; some leaves green while some have a white V-pattern 

Edible?  Toxicity? 

can be eaten raw or cooked; high in protein.  Known to cause bloating or to contain toxic alkaloids.





Note:  This information on plants with "Leaves of Three"  is not to be considered a professional opinion on plant toxicity.  Please consult your doctor when seeking to understand your child's allergies.  Consult a professional for more information on which plants might pose a danger to your child while on the trail.