Gumweed Poison Ivy Salve

Try  this Gumweed Poison Ivy Salve if you have gotten tangled up with this three-leaved itch-causing plant.

Pictured: Gumweed

Gumweed Poison Ivy Salve Ingredients

• 2 ounces of fresh gumweed flower tops (Grindelia camporum)
• 1 cup of olive oil
• 1/4 cup of beeswax
• 1 Tbsp of sea salt
• 1/2 cup of dried oats, ground
• 10 drops of lavender (L. angustifolia) essential oil

​Gumweed Poison Ivy Salve Instructions

In a crockpot, cook the olive oil and gumweed on low for four hours.  Strain out the herb and add the beeswax and pink salt.  Once the beeswax has completely melted, stir in the ground oats.  Remove from heat and add the lavender essential oil.  Pour immediately into container(s) with sealing lid(s).  Apply salve topically to affected area.

Gumweed Poision Ivy Salve Research

• Poison oak was successfully treated with gumweed.  From:  Canavan, D., & Yarnell, E. (2005). Successful treatment of poison oak dermatitis treated with Grindelia spp.(Gumweed). Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 11(4), 709-710.
• Based on in vitro and animal studies, avenanthramides from oats were a potent skin anti-itch and anti-inflammatory. From:  Sur, R., Nigam, A., Grote, D., Liebel, F., & Southall, M. D. (2008). Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Archives of dermatological research, 300(10), 569.
• Colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) has been used for centuries as a topical treatment for various skin conditions and was used in a blind study on twenty-nine female subjects with mild to moderate itching on their dry lower legs. The oatmeal significantly improved skin dryness, texture, and itch intensity.  From:  Michelle Garay, M. S., Judith Nebus, M. B. A., & Menas Kizoulis, B. A. (2015). Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 14(1), 43-48.
• Active colloidal oatmeal moisturizer showed effectiveness in this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study. From:  Kalaaji, A. N., & Wallo, W. (2014). A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of an active moisturizing lotion with colloidal oatmeal skin protectant versus its vehicle for the relief of xerosis. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD, 13(10), 1265-1268.
• This overview of oatmeal (Avena sativa) shows research for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be useful in topically treating pruritus, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and viral and fungal infections. From:  Pazyar, N., Yaghoobi, R., Kazerouni, A., & Feily, A. (2012). Oatmeal in dermatology: a brief review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, 78(2), 142.
• Patients had reduced inflammation level, ulcer size, healing time, and pain from recurrent aphthous ulcerations.  From:  Altaei, D. T. (2012). Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration. American journal of dentistry, 25(1), 39-43.
• This study suggested using lavender essential oil instead of Povidone-iodine topically for episiotomy wound care. From:  Vakilian, K., Atarha, M., Bekhradi, R., & Chaman, R. (2011). Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: a clinical trial. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 17(1), 50-53.
• Bathing in magensium dead sea salt improved skin texture and inflammation in those with dry skin, compared to tap water.  From:  Proksch, E., Nissen, H. P., Bremgartner, M., & Urquhart, C. (2005). Bathing in a magnesium‐rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin. International journal of dermatology, 44(2), 151-157.

By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA (ARC), NAHA and AIA Professional Member, LMT

9/17/18

This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.