The Uses and Effects of Poison Ivy Tea

The History and Uses of Poison Ivy Tea

Poison ivy, scientifically known as Toxicodendron radicans, is a plant that is infamous for causing an itchy, irritating rash upon contact with human skin. This rash, known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, is caused by the oily resin urushiol found within the leaves, stems and roots of poison ivy. While contact with poison ivy is something most people try to avoid, the plant has actually been used for various medicinal and culinary purposes throughout history.

Perhaps the most surprising use of poison ivy is as an herbal tea. Historical accounts show that certain Native American tribes brewed a tea from poison ivy leaves to treat a variety of ailments. The tea was used as a diuretic, as well as to treat symptoms of arthritis, rheumatism, and swelling. Some tribes also used the tea as a stimulant or energizer. While poison ivy tea may seem counterintuitive given the plant's reputation for causing rashes, the urushiol oil is not soluble in water, so it does not contaminate the tea when the leaves are brewed.

How Poison Ivy Tea is Brewed

To brew poison ivy tea, the leaves are first dried, which removes the urushiol oil from the surface of the leaves. The dried leaves can then be brewed into a tea, much like regular loose leaf tea. The tea has a green or brown color and an earthy, somewhat bitter taste. Fresh, undried poison ivy leaves should never be used to make tea, as the urushiol oil can still cause irritation.

While poison ivy has historically been used in herbal medicine, ingesting the tea or any poison ivy derivative can be very dangerous. The plant contains the toxic compounds quercitrin, quercitin and urushiol, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, and other side effects when ingested. Any medicinal use of poison ivy should only be done under the supervision of a trained herbalist or healthcare provider.

Poison Ivy Tea in Folklore and Tradition

In addition to its medicinal history, poison ivy tea surprisingly makes appearances in American folklore and tradition. In the early American South, folk tales tell of suitors testing a woman's worthiness to be a good wife by having her weed a patch of poison ivy. If she was unaffected by the plant after finishing the task, she was judged to be compatible for marriage.

Another folk belief held that drinking poison ivy tea would provide immunity against the rash caused by the plant. This folk remedy continues to be practiced in Appalachian and rural communities. Some individuals will deliberately expose themselves to poison ivy to try and become immune, while others believe drinking the tea regularly will protect them from contact irritation.

While there is no scientific evidence that poison ivy tea boosts immunity against the rash, the folklore surrounding the plant highlights just how firmly entrenched poison ivy is in America's cultural consciousness. Given how notoriously itchy and irritating the rash can be, it is no wonder that legends and home remedies abound for trying to avoid or cure it.

How to Identify Poison Ivy Plants

Before learning how to identify poison ivy, it helps to understand a bit about why exactly the plant causes such irritation and rashes in humans. Poison ivy secretes an oily chemical called urushiol, which is found in all parts of the plant. Urushiol is designed to protect the plant, but it has the unfortunate effect of causing allergic reactions in most people who come into contact with it.

When urushiol gets on the skin, the body's immune system sees it as a threat and releases histamines as part of an allergic reaction. This causes inflammation, itching, swelling, and the trademark rash. Urushiol can stick to skin, clothing, gardening tools, and even pet fur, allowing the rash to spread easily through contact.

Leaves of Three

The most distinguishing feature of poison ivy plants are the compound leaves consisting of three leaflets. The edges of the leaves may be smooth, toothed, or lobed, but they will always be found in groups of three leaflets radiating from the same stems.

The leaflets can take on various shapes such as oval, pointed, or rounded. Young poison ivy leaves first emerge with a reddish color before turning green as they mature. In the fall, the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Identifying Poison Ivy Vines

Poison ivy can present itself not only as a bushy shrub but also as a climbing vine. The vines attach themselves to trees, walls, rocks, fences, and more as they grow vertically. The vines contain the same urushiol oil and compound leaves of three as the shrub varieties.

As a vine, poison ivy has brown stems that become thick and woody with age. Small hair-like aerial rootlets sprout from the stems to grip onto surfaces. Vines may have a fuzzy appearance from small brown hairs along the stems.

Berries

Poison ivy plants produce waxy white or yellow-green berries in clusters of two to five. The berries appear after flowering between May and July. While birds and some animals can eat the berries without irritation, they are toxic for humans to ingest and can still contain urushiol.

Being able to positively identify poison ivy is critical for avoiding painful rashes. Look for clusters of three almond-shaped leaves, vines with aerial rootlets, and possible white berries to steer clear of this hazardous plant.

Avoiding and Treating Poison Ivy Rashes

Coming into contact with poison ivy triggers an allergic reaction in most people that leads to an irritating rash developing within 24 to 48 hours. The rash results from the body releasing histamines in response to the urushiol oil found in poison ivy plants. The oil is impossible to wash off and remains active on skin and surfaces for weeks.

While the rash will eventually fade on its own, there are steps you can take to help avoid contracting poison ivy in the first place or to minimize and treat irritation after exposure.

Prevention

When enjoying the outdoors where poison ivy may grow, the most effective way to prevent rashes is to cover exposed skin with long pants and long sleeve shirts. Wearing closed toe shoes and gloves can also protect your extremities. Avoid directly touching any unknown plants.

After you return from an area where poison ivy may have been present, immediately wash clothing separately with hot water and detergent. Take a hot shower with soap and thoroughly scrub all body parts that may have been exposed. These steps can remove lingering oil before it bonds to skin.

Treatment

If a poison ivy rash does develop, there are measures you can take to treat the itching and discomfort:

• Wash affected areas with soap and cool water to help remove any remaining urushiol.
• Apply a cold compress or calamine lotion to soothe itching.
• Take an oral antihistamine like diphenhydramine to reduce swelling and itching.
• Apply a low strength hydrocortisone cream to lessen inflammation.
• Resist the urge to scratch, which can spread the rash and cause infection.

See a doctor if the rash covers large areas of the body, causes severe swelling, or shows signs of infection. While irritating, most poison ivy rashes will clear up within 1-3 weeks without causing any lasting damage.

Other Plants That Can Cause Skin Irritation

While poison ivy, oak, and sumac are the most notorious causes of plant-induced rashes, there are many other plants that can irritate skin through chemical compounds or physical irritation.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is an herbaceous plant covered in tiny needle-like hairs. When these hairs come into contact with skin, they release chemicals like histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin that cause stinging, itching, and irritation.

Bull Nettle

Similar to stinging nettle, bull nettle has sharp hairs on its leaves and stems that release chemicals leading to painful stings and rashes when touched.

Spurge Nettle

Spurge nettle is a flowering plant that can cause rashes through thin leaves that break easily when touched, exposing irritants on the leaf surface.

Wood Nettle

Wood nettle is a rare plant with sharp stinging hairs on leaf undersides and stems that cause temporary stinging and rashes when contacted.

Cow Parsnip

Cow parsnip has sap that reacts with UV rays from the sun and can cause blistering rashes and discoloration of exposed skin.

Giant Hogweed

Giant hogweed has phototoxic sap which leads to painful burns, blisters, and scarring when skin is exposed to the sap and sunlight.

Angel's Trumpet

Ingesting or coming into contact with angel's trumpet can cause skin irritation, rashes, and welts.

Being able to identify regional plants that may cause skin irritation allows you to take precautions to prevent painful rashes when enjoying the outdoors. Wearing protective clothing and avoiding contact are the best defenses.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.