Since my early 20s, I became HIGHLY allergic to poison ivy. It would usually cost me a trip to Urgent Care for a steroid shot, tapered steroid, or sometimes when I had a really special case – both!
We moved out to the country 7 years ago where poison ivy plants, vines, and shrubs grow prolifically. It is literally everywhere the eye can see. This affected me so much. It affected how I pet my dogs as they were constantly giving me rashes as poison ivy oils are clear. If I am being honest, I would say 85% of all of the poison ivy rashes I have received have been from pets.
It even affected how I would dress to mow the yard in case wind would blow bits of chopped up leaf at me. It affected my overall sense of safety when going into the woods to work on our trails, going camping, etc. I LOVE THE OUTDOORS. This was quite depressing.
Last year, serendipitously, I was talking to a lady who works at the local tire repair as I was waiting on my lawn mower tire. I had mentioned how much I love to mow, but hate the poison ivy rashes that can happen.
What she told me next has shaped my future. She asked me if I had ever heard of broadleaf plantain. Thinking I’m so smart, I say, “Like bananas?” She laughed and said, “No, it is considered a weed and is everywhere.” She then pulled up a picture on her phone to show me.
She continued, “Broadleaf plantain is literally the remedy to poison ivy and grows next to each other. It’s almost like nature is giving you the poison and the antidote just a few inches to a few feet from each other.” She then gave me a sample of her coconut oil infused broadleaf plantain to take home with me.
Well, it worked. And, I mean, it WORKED. It worked for me, it worked for my friends and family. It has changed how I can enjoy nature now. I’m back out in it while gratuitously petting my dogs, knowing if I happen to get a poison ivy rash- I can knock it out. No more itching until I lose my mind, trips to Urgent Care, and long lasting rashes for a month or more. What I love so much about it is knocking out that itch from seemingly hell. I can handle a lot of stuff, but that is my kryptonite.
I started making it myself in salve form. From there, my world opened up. I learned much more about plants I had overlooked growing on my property that also have amazing medical benefits. If you are curious, check out my Bruise Salve, which contains mullein and elderberry leaf- all grown on my land.
Don’t just take my word for it, here is an article to information on WHY Angry Skin Salve works so well for Poison Ivy rashes.