Q. When researching my master’s thesis for the preservation of a historic road, I hiked the old road with a local man. We walked through a field of shoulder-high plants for about 50 yards when he turned to me and said, “I hope you're not allergic to poison ivy, cause this is a field of it.”
When I noticed a small spot on one hand starting to itch, the man pulled a weed along a hedgerow where he said it usually grows. He crushed the weed to produce a small amount of liquid and rubbed it on the spot. Within thirty minutes, the spot was completely gone. Any ideas what the plant may be?
A. Many woodsmen and old-timers use jewelweed to treat poison ivy. It is said to work if the juice is applied within 15 minutes or so of exposure. Another plant that has traditionally been used against poison ivy is plantain.
Of course, the best defense is to avoid the three-leaved plant in the first place. If that’s not possible, applying a barrier cream ahead of time can be helpful. IvyBlock, Ivy Shield and Tecnu are designed to keep irritating poison ivy resin away from the skin. Washing with soap and water shortly after exposure can also help prevent a rash. Another product for washing the skin after exposure is Zanfel.
