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    • Shamanistic Healing
    • Bone Divination
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    • Jewelweed Treatments
    • What is a Shamanism
    • Animal Reiki

Modern Witchdoctor

Modern WitchdoctorModern WitchdoctorModern Witchdoctor
  • Home
  • Shamanistic Healing
  • Bone Divination
  • WitchDoctor Blog
  • Appointments & Events
  • Wounded Healer
  • Shop
  • About Jewelweed
  • Us and Jewelweed
  • Jewelweed Treatments
  • What is a Shamanism
  • Animal Reiki

Jewelweed

Orange Jewelweed

Native Americans and Jewelweed

Native to North American, jewelweed has a long history as a native American medicine and poison ivy treatment. Its long been known for its skin healing properties on many skin aliments, including itch and rash from all types of poison plant reactions, burns from stinging nettle, bugs bites, hives and even chiggers.

 Many tribes of the Appalachian area, including the Potawatomi and Powhatan tribe, used for all skin aliments. Some native tribes believed drinking a cup of jewelweed tea in early fall would protect them against poison rashes the following year. (This is not advised). Even the Cherokee, in upper North Carolina, were said to have used this amazing plant for burn dressings and for treating gastrointestinal disorders.  Widely used as a poison preventive, the natives would rub the juice of the stems on their skin before entering poison vine invaded areas, for prevention and protection. This was able to fight off the reaction naturally, from any poison plants. It was the answer to the age old question "how to get rid of poison ivy."  

The name is believed to have come  when the natives witnessed, in the moonlight or early morning sun, the silver color on the leaves, would sparkle and glisten like a jewel when wet.

 These people knew the importance of this great plant for it's amazing healing properties. Still today jewelweed is proving to be an amazing valuable plant!

Pale or Yellow Jewelweed

Variations and Specifics

Jewelweed comes from the plant family Balsaminaceae "Genus Impatiens". The most common variation in jewelweed is the spotted orange (Impatiens Capensis). This is the variety is the most commonly used by herbalist providing the most medical properties. This version prefers partially shaded and moist soil. Usually found near streams. 

The pale jewelweed, or yellow jewelweed (Impatiens Pallida) is less common than its orange cousin, and prefers limestone sites to grow its best. Both varieties grow between 2 and 5 ft tall, with course jagged edge leaves and thick stems. The underneath of the leaves have a silver color, making them shine with jewel-like color when, wet from rain or morning dew and hit by sunlight. Jewelweed is commonly grown in most of the USA with the exception of Wyoming, Montana and the southwest including California.

It's usually found growing near stinging nettle and poison ivy, as it is nature's remedy for these plants. It flowers between June and August, with orange or yellow small tube flowers. Because jewelweed is a self seeding annual, it forms a seed pod, and are often called touch-me-nots as the seed pod will explode when touched. 

Poison ivy jewelweed comparison

Medical Properties of Jewelweed


Jewelweed is most famous for being a natural poison ivy remedy, and healing rashes from poison ivy, oak and sumac.


 The leaves, roots and stems of this plant, contain a compound called lawsone, which is anti-inflammatory, antifungal and a strong antihistamine. With these components, it puts up a great defense to the urushiol, the compound in poison plants that causes inflammation. Jewelweed will stop the itch, and cut healing time from all poison plant reactions. The antihistamine properties of this plant, are able to stop the itch and burn from various other ailments as well including; bug bites, hives, bee stings, chiggers, and burns from stinging nettle. Since jewelweed has anti-fungal properties it has been used to treat athletes foot and dandruff. 

In recent studies, it has also shown great effects on treating psoriasis and eczema. The most recent study done by Wilkes University has found anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties in the Jewelweed. 

This is an amazing forgotten plant, that is just starting to get a spotlight in today's herbal medicine, through jewelweed products and more interest in plant healers. The more studies being done, the more it will prove that this is a valuable wonderful medicine that should now remain in the spotlight!

To view our list or jewelweed products visit here


We are happy to be serving all of Frederick MD and surrounding areas!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

I, Kayce Heister and or Modern WitchDoctor are not medical professionals. Products available, along with statements, opinions, views expressed, ideas, notes, procedures and suggestions on this blog, on my website, in my e-books, my Facebook, Pinterest and/or Twitter pages, on classes, and any follow up comments onsite or by email, are my opinions and are meant for informational purposes only.  They are not meant to be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, prevent or cure any disease or to administer in any manner to any physical ailments and are not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a trained health professional.  I cannot be held liable for the decisions and choices you make and/or the outcome of those decisions and choices.  You are encouraged to do your own research and consult your heath care professional before treating yourself or anyone else.

The information on this blog, on my website, in my e-books, my Facebook, Pinterest and/or Twitter pages, on farm classes, and any follow up comments onsite or by email, is general and not specific to individuals and their particular circumstances.  It is your responsibility to study herbs thoroughly and talk with a health care practitioner before you begin treating yourself or anyone else.  All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Consult your health care professional before adopting the statements, opinions, views expressed, ideas, notes, procedures and suggestions in this blog, on my website,, in my ebooks, on classes, on my Facebook, Pinterest and/or Twitter pages,and any follow up comments on-site or by email, as well as about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Herbs are very powerful and if they are misused, they can be harmful.  Herbs can also cause allergic reactions, interfere with traditional medications by blocking their effectiveness, increasing their effectiveness or reacting with them in a harmful way. Always check with your health care professional before using herbs or herbal products!

Do not use herbal products of any kind if you are nursing, pregnant, taking medications or undergoing treatment for any medical condition without first consulting your health care professional.

Any plant substance, whether used as food or medicine, externally or internally, can cause an allergic reaction in some people.  Neither I, nor Modern WitchDoctor can be held responsible for claims arising from the mistaken identity of any herbs or from the use of any remedy or healing regime or because you did not first seek the advice of a trained healthcare professional as recommended..  Do not try self-diagnosis or attempt self-treatment for serious or long-term problems without consulting a health care professional.  Do not undertake any self-treatment while undergoing a prescribed course of medical treatment without first seeking professional advice.  Always seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

In addition, the statements made by myself regarding any products and/or services represent my opinions alone, and do not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of any product or service by Modern WitchDoctor, I, and Modern witchDoctor disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this website, my blog, my e-books, a class, class notes, follow-up email contacts or of any products available or mentioned herein.

Additionally, the statements on this website, in my blog, in my ebooks, at classes, on my Facebook, Pinterest and/or Twitter pages and any follow up comments on these sites or by email, have not been evaluated by the FDA.  The information on this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.  Please do not ask me to diagnose, recommend herbs for specific problems, recommend a treatment program or in any other way prescribe treatment of any kind.  I will be more than happy to address the mechanics of making herbal preparations but I cannot speak to the specific health needs and problems of individuals.

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