🌿 How to Make Jewelweed Salve
A Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy, Insect Bites & Skin Irritations
If you’ve ever had a run-in with poison ivy, mosquito bites, or any random itchy rash, then you know just how desperate you can get for relief. And while store-bought creams are fine, there’s something deeply satisfying—and effective—about turning to nature for healing.
Enter: jewelweed. This humble, shade-loving plant is a tried-and-true herbal remedy known for its soothing powers. Used for centuries by Indigenous communities and herbalists alike, jewelweed is often referred to as “nature’s anti-itch plant” for good reason.
In this guide, we’re walking you through everything you need to know about making your own jewelweed salve—from identifying and harvesting the plant, to infusing it into oil, and finally crafting a soothing, skin-friendly salve that you’ll want to keep on hand year-round.
🌼 What Is Jewelweed?
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis or Impatiens pallida) is a wild plant found in moist, shady areas like stream banks, forest edges, and damp meadows. It often grows near poison ivy—coincidence? We think not.
How to Recognize It:
- Stem: Translucent and succulent, often with a slight reddish tint
- Leaves: Oval, toothed, and water-repellent (water beads up like “jewels”)
- Flowers: Orange with dark spots (Impatiens capensis) or pale yellow (Impatiens pallida)
- Seed Pods: When touched, they burst open (hence the nickname “Touch-Me-Not”)
Jewelweed is a natural anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antihistamine, making it perfect for calming irritated skin.
🧪 Why Make Jewelweed Salve?
Sure, you can use jewelweed fresh, but turning it into a salve gives it shelf life and makes it easy to apply anytime.
What it helps with:
- Poison ivy/oak/sumac
- Bug bites (mosquitoes, spiders, gnats)
- Minor rashes and allergic skin reactions
- Eczema flare-ups
- Scratches or skin irritations
Benefits of a salve:
- Long-lasting (can keep for up to a year)
- Portable and mess-free
- Easy to apply and absorbs well
- Can be combined with other skin-healing herbs (like plantain, calendula, or comfrey)
🧾 Supplies & Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s start with a basic list. You’ll need some foraging time, a stovetop or slow cooker, and a little patience for the infusion process.
🌿 Ingredients:
- Fresh jewelweed leaves, stems, and flowers
- Carrier oil (olive oil, sunflower oil, or grapeseed oil are great options)
- Beeswax pastilles or grated beeswax (for thickening)
- Optional herbs: Plantain, calendula, lavender, comfrey (for extra skin-soothing power)
- Essential oils (optional): Tea tree, lavender, chamomile
- Vitamin E oil (optional, for preservation)
🧰 Equipment:
- Small pot or double boiler (or slow cooker)
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- Mason jar or heat-safe bowl
- Clean, dry salve tins or glass jars
- Stirring spoon or spatula
- Labels (so you don’t forget what’s inside)
🧑🍳 How to Make Jewelweed Salve: Step-by-Step
✅ Step 1: Harvest Jewelweed
Pick fresh jewelweed from a clean area, far from roads or pesticides. You’ll want the whole above-ground plant: leaves, stems, and flowers. Early to mid-summer is the best time to harvest, especially before flowering peaks.
🌿 Harvest Tip: Use scissors or snip with your hands, and be gentle—jewelweed has tender, juicy stems. Avoid uprooting so it can regrow.
✅ Step 2: Prepare the Infused Oil
You have two options: a quick stovetop method or a longer, cold infusion.
🔥 Method 1: Quick Stovetop Infusion
- Chop jewelweed into small pieces.
- Place in a saucepan or double boiler.
- Cover with oil (just enough to submerge the plant material).
- Simmer on very low heat for 1–2 hours. Don’t boil!
- Stir occasionally and keep a close eye to avoid burning.
🌞 Method 2: Solar (Cold) Infusion
- Fill a jar ¾ full with chopped jewelweed.
- Pour oil over it until completely covered.
- Seal and set in a sunny windowsill for 2–4 weeks.
- Shake the jar gently every day.
✅ Step 3: Strain the Oil
Once your oil is well-infused:
- Pour it through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a clean container.
- Squeeze out every last drop.
- Discard the plant material.
You now have jewelweed-infused oil, ready to be turned into a salve.
✅ Step 4: Make the Salve
Ratio:
- For every 1 cup of infused oil, use about ¼ cup (2 oz) beeswax.
Instructions:
- Combine your infused oil and beeswax in a clean saucepan or double boiler.
- Heat slowly until beeswax is fully melted, stirring frequently.
- Add optional extras:
- A few drops of essential oils
- Vitamin E oil (½ teaspoon) for preservation
- Pour into clean jars or tins while still liquid.
- Let cool undisturbed until solid.
✨ Label your jars with the date and ingredients. Store in a cool, dark place for best longevity.
🧊 Storage & Shelf Life
Your jewelweed salve should last 9–12 months, especially if stored properly:
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Store in a cool, dry cabinet
- Use clean fingers or a spatula to avoid contamination
If it ever smells “off” or grows mold, toss it and make a fresh batch.
🔄 Variations & Additions
Want to customize your salve? Here are a few great herbs and oils to blend with jewelweed for extra benefits:
| Add-In | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Plantain | Soothes bug bites, reduces itching |
| Calendula | Anti-inflammatory and skin-healing |
| Lavender EO | Calms skin and provides scent |
| Comfrey | Encourages cell regeneration |
| Tea Tree EO | Antiseptic and antifungal |
You can infuse multiple herbs together or make individual infusions and combine later for a truly personalized salve.
Table of Contents
❓ FAQ: All About Jewelweed Salve
Q: Can I use dried jewelweed?
Unfortunately, jewelweed loses most of its potency when dried. Always use fresh or freshly wilted plant material.
Q: Is jewelweed safe for kids?
Yes! Jewelweed is gentle and non-toxic. Just skip strong essential oils for children under 5.
Q: Can I use this salve on pets?
Yes—in small amounts and only externally. It can help with itchy paws or hot spots, but check with your vet first.
Q: Can I freeze jewelweed?
Yes! You can freeze chopped jewelweed or even jewelweed-infused ice cubes to use in future salves.
Q: What if I don’t have beeswax?
Try using candelilla wax (for a vegan option) or shea butter for a softer balm.
✅ Conclusion: A Salve That Connects You to Nature’s Healing
There’s something incredibly grounding about making your own herbal medicine. From the moment you harvest jewelweed along a shady path to the soothing relief you get from that first swipe of salve—it’s healing, inside and out.
This salve isn’t just a skin remedy; it’s a connection to the natural rhythms of the earth. It’s empowering, simple, and something our ancestors did without second thought.
So next time you’re faced with a patch of poison ivy, an itchy bite, or a mysterious rash, skip the chemical creams. Reach for your homemade jewelweed salve, and let nature do what it does best.
🧾 Quick Jewelweed Salve Recipe Summary
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time | Mid to late spring, before full bloom |
| Parts Used | Leaves, stems, flowers (fresh only) |
| Infusion Time | 2–4 weeks (cold) or 1–2 hrs (stovetop) |
| Oil Type | Olive, sunflower, grapeseed |
| Beeswax Ratio | ¼ cup beeswax per 1 cup oil |
| Shelf Life | 9–12 months |
| Use For | Poison ivy, bug bites, eczema, rashes |
| Storage | Cool, dark place in sealed container |