Jewelweed
Scientific names: Impatiens pallida, Impatiens balsamina, Balsamina foemina, Impatiens giorgii, Impatiens capensis, Impatiens biflora
Family: Balsaminaceae
Alternate names: Alegria del Hogar, Balsam-Weed, Balsamine du Cap, Balsamine des Jardins, Balsamine Orangée, Feng Xian Hua, Garden Balsam, Herbal Impatiens Balsamihal, Impatiens, Impatiente, Impatiente Biflore, Impatiente du Cap, Impatiente Orangée, Jewel Balsam Weed, Jewel Weed, Quick-In-The-Hand, Silverweed, Slipper Weed, Speckled Jewels, Spotted Touch-Me-Not, Tou Gu Cao, Touch-Me-Not, Wild Balsam, Wild Celandine, Wild Lady's Slipper, Zhi Hin Nonxe Thionbaba
Actions: Dermatologic/anti-allergic
Background
Jewelweed is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse jewelweed with potentilla, since both are known as silverweed.
People take jewelweed by mouth to treat mild digestive disorders, as well as rashes caused by poison ivy. Some people also apply jewelweed directly to the skin for poison ivy.
People take jewelweed by mouth to treat mild digestive disorders, as well as rashes caused by poison ivy. Some people also apply jewelweed directly to the skin for poison ivy.
Safety Safety definitions
Jewelweed is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or applied directly to the skin. No significant side effects have been reported.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking jewelweed if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Poison oak and poison ivy dermatitis (rash). Some small studies shows that applying jewelweed extract or juice to the skin does not help treat or prevent rashes caused by poison ivy, but applying a jewelweed mash directly to the skin may help.
- Mild digestive disorders.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of jewelweed depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for jewelweed. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Jewelweed interacts with any medicines. Before taking Jewelweed, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Jewelweed contains a chemical that is said to help improve itching and rash after you touch poison ivy, but there is limited scientific information to back these claims.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/09/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 04/12/2014 19:21:12. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
