Poison Ivy, Homeopathy to the rescue!
Are you one of those people like me that starts to itch, just thinking about poison ivy? I am scratching already. One of the first things, those of us that are allergic to poison ivy learns is what the poison ivy, oak and sumac plants looks like.
The invisible urushiol oil from poison ivy, oak and sumac plants is what gets on our skin and causes the poison rash. Yes, the same oil is the culprit in all three of these plants. You do not even have to touch the poison ivy, oak or sumac plant to get the urushiol oil on the skin, just touching something (garden tools, pets, etc.) that has the urushiol oil on it is enough for you to get the poison eruptions
The best way to prevent getting poison ivy, oak and sumac is to wash the oil off the skin within 2-8 hours of coming in contact with the urushiol oil with a washcloth or loofah and any kind of soap. The friction is what removes the oil from your skin.
Selecting a Homeopathic Remedy for the Poison Rash
Do I have poison ivy, sumac or oak? In Homeopathy it does not really matter which poison rash you have in order to select the Homeopathic remedy. What does matter in finding a Homeopathic remedy are the symptoms that you are exhibiting from the poison eruption(s).
The criteria in selecting a Homeopathic remedy for poison ivy, oak and sumac are:
- Location of the rash (face, limbs, etc.),
- What eruption looks like (orange peel, eruptions in line, etc.),
- What makes the itching better or worse (hot/cold application, etc.),
- Kind of fluid in the eruption (watery, sticky, yellow, etc.)
Besides what the poison eruption looks like, I recommend using itching as an indicator to help in proper remedy selection. You will want to determine what makes the itching better or worse; hot or cold applications. To do this; alternate physically applying hot and cold water on the eruption(s) to see which soothes the itching and brings relief.
These are the common Homeopathic remedies that I have used over the years in my consulting. In most cases you will be using 30c or 200c potency of a Homeopathic remedy.
Rhus Toxicodendron (Poison Oak) Rhus Tox 200c or 1m – The eruptions are red swollen with intense itching and burning. Rhus Tox is for an itching poison rash that feels better from having hot water beating on the eruptions, which causes a burning, and yet it takes the place of you scratching. For a bad case of the poison rash I recommend using a 1m potency.
Anacardium Orientale (Marking Nut) Anac 30c – The blisters are the size of a pin head to a pea size that look like an orange peel with swelling. The intense itching is worse scratching, and applying hot water onto the rash. Itching better from rubbing and eating temporary relieves the symptoms.
Ledum Palustre (Marsh Tea) Led 30c – This is one of the few poison ivy remedies that is better from applying cold on the itchy skin. Eruptions are worse scratching and warmth of bed. The affected area may also be cold to touch with the surrounding area warm with a bluish color.
Graphites Naturalis (Black Lead) Graph 30c – The eruption(s) are vesicular and oozes a honey sticky serum from the dry skin. The eruptions are worse from heat. Graph is also used for chronic poison oak.
Clematis Erecta (Virgin’s Bower) Clem 30c – Clematis is used for poison eruptions that has gotten infected and secrets a yellow burning fluid. The poison rash is worse washing in cold water and the heat of bed.
Itching
Do you ever say? “If I could just stop scratching the poison eruption would go away.” This is when I recommend taking Fagopyrum Esculentum (Buckwheat) Fago 30c or 200c dry (placing 1-3 pellets on the tongue) a few times a day along with the Homeopathic remedy for the poison rash. Fago will help support the selected poison rash Homeopathic remedy, by just addressing the itching.
Swelling
Sometimes the area is swollen from the poison eruption (face, limbs, etc.). Apis Mellifica (Honey-Bee) Apis 200c is for skin that is red rosy color with burning and stinging pains. The swelling is secondary to the poison eruptions and the goal is to take the fluid out from the swelling; Apis 200c will do just that. Apis 200c will be taken several times a day, in conjunction with Homeopathic remedy for the poison eruptions.
Topical for Poison Ivy
You can also mix together Echinacea Angustifolia or Echinacea Purpurea Tincture and Aloe Vera juice in a spray bottle with water in it. Spray on the skin several times a day and then gently dry with a blow dryer. The Echinacea and Aloe Vera concoction soothes skin and keeps the poison rash from getting infected.
Homeopathic Remedy Potency and Managing the Remedy
Managing a poison rash case can be tricky. The first goal is to not have any more new eruptions the following day. Next the Homeopathic remedy needs to address those eruption(s) that are already there.
Taking a Homeopathic remedy dry (placing pellets directly on the tongue), over time will not be strong enough to stay ahead of the poison eruptions An effective way to use these remedies is to take the selected Homeopathic remedy in a Remedy Solution Bottle (RSB) with 10 succussions (tapping the bottom of RSB into the palm of hand) and taking several doses a day. For more information on how to take a Homeopathic remedy go to my blog Did You Know that there are 8 Ways to Take a Homeopathic Remedy?
Joyfully, by following this information our summer stories will be filled with fun and eventful activities, not about “The Dreaded Summer I had Poison Ivy.”
Be sure to have a healthy and energized summer
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