Poison Oak

Rhus tox is used in homeopathic preparations for contact dermatitis and rheumatism. It has also been used for genital herpes and herpes zoster, laryngitis, and mumps.

To treat poison oak or ivy rashes, try these recipes; apply several times daily on the affected areas, and take immune stimulants (echinacea), and blood purifiers (red clover, burdock root, yellow dock root, Oregon grape root) internally as a tea or tincture:

1. Mugwort vinegar–infuse 1 oz of mugwort herb in 10 oz of apple-cider vinegar.
2. Grindelia (gum-plant) tincture–rub 5-10 drops on the rash in the evening to prevent spreading and lower irritation.
3. Clay and Peppermint cream–blend 5-10 drops of peppermint oil in a creamy mixture of skin-colored cosmetic clay (available in most natural food stores) and a salt-water solution. Spread the cream on thickly and replace every 4 or 5 hours.
4. Apply the tincture of jewelweed (Impatiens spp.) externally and take the drops internally.
5. Apply the tincture or oil of St. John’s Wort liberally to the affected area several times a day as an anti-inflammatory.