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Some of you may already be familiar with this almost miraculous plant, but for those of you who are not, there is nothing better to soothe a skin rash or irritation. If you are going to head out into the forest you should know how to spot poison ivy, poison oak, and jewelweed. A handy little fact is that they usually grow in the same viscinity, if not right next to one another.
I led a small edible and medicinal plant walk yesterday morning. Our group came upon a very large patch of jewelweed. They had all heard of, and most had suffered at the leaf of, poison ivy, but not one of them knew about the best cure available bar none. I showed them how you can mash the leaves and stem and apply the juice directly to your skin to instantly soothe irritation. As many witnessed forst hand, it soothes insect bites almost immediately.
I told them how you can preserve and keep it for use throughout the year by making Jewelweed vinegar. I typically fill a quart mason jar with finely chopped leaves and stems. I then fill the jar with apple cider vinegar, and put it in the cupboard for a month, making sure to shake it once a day for the first week or so. After the month, pour the contents of the jar through a strainer lined with cheesecloth and into a large bowl. Clean out the mason jar, and pour the vinegar back into the jar. Seal the jar, and it will keep in a cupboard for about a year. This vinegar is amazing at soothing insect stings and bites. You can also make a pretty effective natural insecticide by mixing the vinegar with water and some lavendar, catnip, or sage oil, and put this mixture into a little spray bottle. I can post the recipe for anyone who might be interested.
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