Homesteader Depot

Tag: poison ivy

  • Identifying and Understanding Poison Ivy

    Identifying and Understanding Poison Ivy

    The bane of every campers’ weekend getaway, poison ivy, interestingly enough is not actually in the ivy family.  It’s a relative of the almond family.  Who knew?

    Most of the time, you only have to worry about avoiding it when you are in the great outdoors and away from urban areas.  However, occasionally it will pop up in your yard.  If this happens, you’ll want to make sure you wear protective clothing and accessories like gloves and even a mask to avoid the worst itching you can ever imagine.

    Also, you’ll want to be very cautious about how you dispose of it, so no one else accidentally comes in contact with it either.  And, whatever you do, do NOT burn it!

    The smoke produced by burning poison ivy takes all of its poison airborne.

     

    Identifying Poison Ivy

    If you grew up in a more rural community, you might already know some of the rhymes used to recognize the plant and its different features.  If you didn’t learn any of these, take note, they could come in handy someday.

     

    1. If Butterflies Land There, Don’t Put Your Hand There

    Butterflies can safely land on poison ivy.  They do it to protect themselves from predators.

    1. Berries White – Run in Fright or Danger in Sight

    Describes the light gray to white colored berries seen in the fall.

    1. Hairy Vine – No Friend of Mine. Ragged Rope – Don’t be a Dope

    Refers to the shaggy appearance its vine exhibits.

    1. Leaves of Three Let It Be
    2. Longer Middle Stem – Stay Away from Them

    The middle leaf of a cluster of three is typically longer than the side leaves.

    1. Red Leaflets in the Spring, it’s a Dangerous Thing

    The leaf color changes with the seasons.  Red in spring, Green in summer, Reddish-orange in fall.

    1. Side Leaves like Mittens Will Itch Like the Dickens

    A few varieties have side leaves that resemble a mitten with a thumb sticking out.

    What to do if You are Exposed to Poison Ivy

    If you discover you’ve been exposed, there are actions you can take to reduce the severity.

    • First, carefully remove your clothing and put them directly into the washer so they can’t spread the oil to other surfaces.
    • If it has been less than 10 minutes since exposure, wash your hands with soap and water and any other areas that have come in contact with the plant.
    • If it has been over 10 minutes, you still want to wash up, but you’ll also be needing a remedy for the rash that is headed your way.

     

    Poison Ivy Remedies

    There are several effective over the counter treatments for Poison Ivy.  There are also a few home remedies that work.

     

    Apple Cider Vinegar

    ACV gets rid of the itch almost immediately and helps neutralize the poison.  Apply with cotton balls or with a spray bottle several times a day to relieve itching and help the skin start to heal.

    Just be prepared to smell like a salad for a while.

     

    Baking Soda and Oatmeal Paste

    1. You’ll have to do a little cooking for this one, but it’s worth it. This “recipe” can be made in bulk and stored to apply several times over the course of your recovery.
    2. Start by bringing 1 part rolled oats to 2 parts water to a boil.  Remove from the heat and cover until all the water is absorbed by the oats.
    3. Stir in 1 Tbsp Baking Soda for every ¼ Cup oats and mix well.
    4. If the paste is still very hot, you can add some cold water or an ice cube to bring it down to warm.
    5. Apply the paste thoroughly to the affected areas.  Relax while you let it dry out, then carefully brush off the dried paste.
    6. Repeat 2 times a day as needed.
    7. For an all over treatment, mix the paste into a lukewarm back and soak for a while.

    Conclusion

    If possible, just stay away from poison ivy.

  • Easy Poison Ivy Remedy

    Easy Poison Ivy Remedy

    Poison ivy is such a drag to get. It can debilitate you almost as much as an actual injury. Depending on where you get it on your body, it can make it difficult and even painful to move and get work done, and especially for little ones, can make life very uncomfortable. The uncontrollable itchiness makes it hard to heal, also, as resisting the urge to scratch can be very difficult.

    There are a number of good poison ivy remedies out there, but I love this one because it is super simple, very cheap to make and will last you a long time. It’s the kind of thing you can make a big batch of and leave in your medicine cabinet for years, always ready to use.

    It is a remedy that is best made ahead of time, but there’s also a quick shortcut if you need it on the spot, which I’ll include at the bottom. Let’s begin:

    Ingredients: 

    1 quart raw organic apple cider vinegar (you probably won’t use all of this)

    1-2 bunches fresh organic sage

    1-2 bunches fresh organic plantain herb

    1 quart mason jar with lid

    *A quick note on plantain: this herb (not to be confused with plantain fruit) is most commonly found growing in your yard rather than in your herb garden or grocery store, so to ensure you do have “organic”, pick some that you know has not been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. If you can’t find any plantain, it can easily be omitted or replaced with an equal amount of sage if desired. 

    Directions: 

    1. Wash and dry your herbs, the chop roughly. You want to make sure every leaf is cut at least once, but it doesn’t have to be diced. You can also put them in a blender with a little apple cider vinegar to make sure the essential oils in the herbs are properly released.
    2. Stuff your herbs into the mason jar.
    3. Cover the herbs with the apple cider vinegar, making sure there are no air bubbles in between the leaves. You can ensure this by pressing down on the herbs with a wooden spoon, releasing any air bubbles (here’s the cheat if you need this ready faster: heat up your apple cider vinegar and then steep the herbs in the hot vinegar as you would tea, then proceed to step 5)
    4. Cover and store in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks.
    5. After your waiting period (or when the mixture has cooled, if you are doing the quick version), strain out the herbs and return to the jar, or a smaller jar if needed, for storage.
    6. Dab the mixture gently onto the infected area as needed, using a cotton ball or soft cotton cloth. This will sting a bit when applied, but it is incredibly effective!

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