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It’s that time of year again - spring, when the poison ivy greens up again - there are lots of plants with leaves of three, but this one is POISON IVY (Toxicodendron) found in East Texas on our property. Note that poison ivy is toxic even while dormant. These plants are in the cashew family.
The irritating reaction that many have when exposed to this plant is due to urushiol. I’ve heard that jewelweed (see photo below with orange flowers - you can buy jewelweed seeds here) often grows by poison ivy/oak but I’ve never seen them together on our property. I do see a lot of Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia, see photo below with 5 leaves) on our property - many are sensitive to it also, while others cultivate it intentionally. I cannot say that I know anyone cultivating poison ivy on purpose....
I’m sensitive to poison ivy so this Grandma’s soap that I get at Atwood’s with jewelweed is used if I even think I was exposed. If you do not have an Atwood’s nearby & do not want to order online from them, there is always Amazon but the price is much higher than Atwood's. I don’t know why jewelweed isn’t listed as an active ingredient, but I keep a bar available at all of our sinks.
Before working in the yard outside, I make a water remedy of homeopathic Rhus Tox and have a sip before going out then again after I’m back inside. The tiny bottle in the images above with the soap is from my Washington Homeopathics kit. Just a pellet in a bottle of water. Shake it against my other hand hitting my palm before each use (this is called succussing). I have read that people have used this remedy to desensitize themselves to poison ivy. I have not personally tried to do this yet.
Hyland’s has a homeopathic blend for poison ivy/ oak reactions. Notice it also has Rhus Tox as an ingredient. I have it on hand just in case.
Disclaimer
This is not medical advice nor intended to be so.
This is what I do personally because we live on 25 acres with a LOT of poison ivy.
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