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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.



JEWELWEED
a.k.a. Touch-me-not
(Impatiens biflora)
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NOTE: Never mix with alcohol in tincture form.

Jewelweed is a common plant of roadsides and woodland borders. It is usually found growing in proximity to poison ivy. Its bright orange impatiens-type flowers are abundant in August. Also known as Touch-Me-Not due to the manner in which the seed pods explode when gently touched.

USES

MEDICINAL:
The juice of the plant is used to counteract poison ivy exposure.
The juice is also used for the itch of stinging nettles (yellow dock is the preferred antidote) and insect bites.
Is also considered a potent anti-fungal and has been used for eczema, athlete's foot, and scalp diseases.
POISON IVY REMEDY: Boil a potful of jewelweed till the liquid is about half of original volume; use the strained juice to neutralize the poison ivy oils on skin; to preserve, freeze in ice cube trays and keep cubes stored in plastic bags in freezer.

CULINARY:
The seeds are edible. Collect by putting a plastic bag over mature seed pods then 'bump' them with finger; separate out the hulls and use the seeds to flavor cookies, bread, ice cream and puddings as you would walnuts.

DYE:
The entire plant produces yellow.




©2001 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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