Homeopathy to treat Poison Ivy
Are You Like Me, And Get Poison Ivy Just Looking at it?
When I was a little girl, I loved going fishing with my Dad. When I became bored, waiting for the fish to bite, I would climb along the river bank and swing from the vines. Usually the next day, I would wake up with poison ivy somewhere on my body. My Mom, would wash me with Fels-Naptha soap and dab Calamine Lotion on my poison ivy. One year, I got poison ivy so bad, the Doctor prescribe cortisone pills. My Mom dissolved the cortisone pills in water and applied the solution as a compress on my poison ivy.
What Causes the Poison Rash?
The poison rash, whether it is ivy, oak or sumac comes from the invisible urushiol oil that gets on the skin causing the rash. 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.
Over the years, I learned what to look for when romping through the woods. You may know the sayings “Leaves of three, let it be; Hairy vine, no friend of mine; “Longer Middle Stem, Don’t Touch Them.”
The #1 Homeopathic Remedy for Poison Rashes
When I started studying Homeopathy, Homeopathic remedies for poison ivy was one of the first health topics I studied. I quickly learned that, yes, Rhus Toxicodendron (Rhus Tox) is the #1 Homeopathic remedy for poison ivy. This is the case when the itchy rash is better from hot application. I would turn the shower on to the hottest temperature that I could stand on my skin. The hot water soothed my itching skin, by desensitizing the rash; so, I did not have to scratch it.
There are many other Homeopathic remedies for poison rashes, besides Rhus Tox. Not all poison rashes are better from heat. Some poison rashes are better from cold water applied to the itching skin. This is an indication that a different Homeopathic remedy may work better.
Key Symptoms of Other Homeopathic Remedies for Poison Rashes:
- Worse warmth of bed;
- Rash oozes sticky honey serum;
- Eruptions infected with pus;
- Rash is painful from scratching;
- Swelling (i.e. limbs, face).
Taking the Correct Homeopathic Remedy
Another lessen I learned the hard way, is that Rhus Tox 30c rarely addresses the poison rashes. I recommend using Rhus Tox 200c or 1m (bad case of poison) in a Remedy Solution Bottle (RSB) with 10 succussions (tapping the bottom of RSB into the palm of hand 10 times) and taking several doses a day. For all other Homeopathic remedies selected for poison rashes, use a 30c or 200c potency in a RSB.
Managing a poison rash case can be tricky. The first goal is to not have any new eruptions the following day. Next, the Homeopathic remedy needs to address and heal those eruption(s) that were already there.
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 this solution on the skin several times a day and then gently dry with a hair dryer on the coolest setting. The Echinacea and Aloe Vera concoction soothes the skin and keeps the poison rash from getting infected.
Having experienced poison rashes first hand, I know what a problem they can be. My understanding of the key symptom differences between the possible Homeopathic remedies has benefited my clients and students. They have easily learned what to look for when selecting a Homeopathic remedy to quickly help their poison rashes. If you are not getting the results you want with the first Homeopathic remedy, don’t be afraid to try another remedy that best matches your symptoms.
