Jewelweed is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse jewelweed with potentilla, since both are known as silverweed.
People take jewelweed by mouth to treat mild digestive disorders, as well as rashes caused by poison ivy. Some people also apply jewelweed directly to the skin for poison ivy.
How does it work ?
Jewelweed contains a chemical that is said to help improve itching and rash after you touch poison ivy, but there is limited scientific information to back these claims.
Jewelweed contains a chemical that is said to help improve itching and rash after you touch poison ivy, but there is limited scientific information to back these claims.
Uses & Effectiveness
Insufficient Evidence for
Poison oak and poison ivy dermatitis (rash). Some small studies shows that applying jewelweed extract or juice to the skin does not help treat or prevent rashes caused by poison ivy, but applying a jewelweed mash directly to the skin may help.
Mild digestive disorders.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of jewelweed for these uses.
Side Effects
Jewelweed is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or applied directly to the skin. No significant side effects have been reported.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Jewelweed is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or applied directly to the skin. No significant side effects have been reported.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking jewelweed if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for JEWELWEED overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of jewelweed depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for jewelweed. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Firth D and Bentley JR. Belladonna poisoning from eating rabbit. Lancet 1921;2:901.
Guin, J. D. and Reynolds, R. Jewelweed treatment of poison ivy dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 1980;6(4):287-288. View abstract.
Long, D., Ballentine, N. H., and Marks, J. G., Jr. Treatment of poison ivy/oak allergic contact dermatitis with an extract of jewelweed. Am J Contact Dermat. 1997;8(3):150-153. View abstract.
Zink, B. J., Otten, E. J., Rosentha, M., and Singal, B. The effect of jewel week in preventing poison ivy. J Wilderness Medicine 1991;2:178-182.
Abrams Motz V, Bowers CP, Mull Young L, Kinder DH. The effectiveness of jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, the related cultivar I. balsamina and the component, lawsone in preventing post poison ivy exposure contact dermatitis. J Ethnopharmacol 2012;143(1):314-8. View abstract.
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.