Poison ivy
Scientific names: Toxicodendron radicans, Rhus radicans
Family: Anacardiaceae
Alternate names: Bois de Chien, Caquistle, Caxuistle, Herbe à la Puce, Herbe à Puce, Hiedra Venenosa, Markweed, Poison Vine, Rhus Tox, Sumac Grimpant, Sumac Vénéneux, Three-Leafed Ivy
Actions: Allergenic
Background
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a shrub and vine. It contains a chemical that causes skin irritation and allergic reactions for many people.
Poison ivy is part of the cashew family, not the ivy family. It's used in homeopathic medicine, meaning it's given in extremely dilute doses, often so dilute that they contain little or no poison ivy. But it's not clear how it might work.
Homeopathic preparations of poison ivy are used to treat pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, and itchy skin disorders, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Poison ivy is part of the cashew family, not the ivy family. It's used in homeopathic medicine, meaning it's given in extremely dilute doses, often so dilute that they contain little or no poison ivy. But it's not clear how it might work.
Homeopathic preparations of poison ivy are used to treat pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, and itchy skin disorders, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Poison ivy is likely unsafe. Chemicals in poison ivy can cause allergic reactions with widespread symptoms, including severe irritation of the mouth and throat, vomiting, fever, and coma.
When applied to the skin: Poison ivy is likely unsafe. Skin contact with poison ivy can cause redness, swelling, and other reactions. Wash exposed areas with soap and water within 5-10 minutes of contact to limit skin irritation.
Allergies: People with allergies to other substances, such as cashew, mango, and ginkgo, might also be allergic to poison ivy.
When applied to the skin: Poison ivy is likely unsafe. Skin contact with poison ivy can cause redness, swelling, and other reactions. Wash exposed areas with soap and water within 5-10 minutes of contact to limit skin irritation.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Poison ivy is likely unsafe to take by mouth or apply to the skin while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Allergies: People with allergies to other substances, such as cashew, mango, and ginkgo, might also be allergic to poison ivy.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using poison ivy for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Poison ivy is used in homeopathic products. This means that the poison ivy in these products is often so dilute that there's little or no active ingredient remaining. Taking products containing larger, detectable amounts of poison ivy by mouth or applying them to the skin is unsafe and should be avoided. Consult a healthcare provider before use.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Poison Ivy interacts with any medicines. Before taking Poison Ivy, 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.
Products
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Practitioner product
Per 0.52 ml:
- Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy)
- Bryonia alba
- Chamomilla
- Histaminum muriaticum
- Natrum muriaticum (Nat mur)
- Urtica urens
- Antimonium tartaricum
- Argentum nitricum
- Calcium carbonate
- Nux vomica
- Pulsatilla
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Practitioner product
Per serve:
- Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy)
- Ranunculus bulbosus
- Nitricum acidum (Nitric acid)
- Thuja occidentalis
- Cantharis
- Arsenicum album (Ars alb)
- Croton tiglium
- Aciclovirin
- Mezereum
- Hepar sulphuricum
- Mercurius solubilis (Merc sol)
Practitioner product
RRP: $19.10$14.89Save: 22%
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Per 1 mL:
- Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy)
- Euphrasia
- Pulsatilla pratensis
- Echinacea purpurea ext. 13.34 mg
- Sambucus nigra ext. 22.22 mg
- Zinc glycinate 670 μg equiv. zinc 200 μg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 24.33 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 20 mg
- Gelsemium sempervirens
- Mentha x piperita ext. 13.33 mg
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 0.25 μg equiv. vitamin D 10 IU
- Allium cepa (Onion)
RRP: $20.99$16.79Save: 20%
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Per serve:
- Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy)
- Mezereum
- Croton tiglium
- Antimonium crudum
- Echinacea angustifolia
- Kalium muriaticum (Kali mur)
- Natrum muriaticum (Nat mur)
Discontinued by BioResearch
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/05/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 29/07/2022 06:44:01. 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.
