Orange Jewelweed . . .

Impatiens capensis Family: Balsaminaceae

If you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak, or stinging nettle use the jewelweed plant. Slice the stem. Rub the juice inside on exposed parts which usually prevents breakout for most people. Use also to ease the irritation.

Brew chopped jewelweed in boiling water until you get a dark orange liquid. (Yellow Jewelweed will not yield orange color and may not be effective.) Strain the liquid. Pour into ice cube trays. Rub the skin with a jewelweed cube when you have a skin rash. It will keep in freezer up to a year.



A quick way to make a salve -

Make infused oil:

• Put 2 ounces of dried jewelweed or 4 ounces fresh jewelweed and 2 cups of olive oil in a double-boiler on very low heat and let the herb "cook" for 1 to 2 hours. Strain into a sterilized jar.

Make a salve:

• Gently heat 1 oz. beeswax in the top of a double-broiler type pan until melted. Add 1 cup of the infused oil. Wax will solidify a bit. Heat gently only until wax melts again. Stir until mixed together. Pour into containers. Let cool and cover.

Mountain Rose has a wide selection of herbal supplies

Gardens galore!

In February 2005 I bought what use to be an Herb Farm. The property borders a drainage brook which in turn flows into a saltwater cove. The Conservation Commission gave its approval of a small addition to the existing one bedroom structure which now joins the old house to the greenhouse.

There is a certificate here awarding the owners for growing and protecting the native plants. It is my intent to continue that legacy.

The grounds of the Herb Farm have not been tended for many years. There are many trees so sunny locations are few. There are 3 terraced gardens that were over run with plants, one is complete shade and covered with ivy and euonymus. I have tried to be very careful to not disturb the local flowers and herbs. I am finding wild things popping up in several places: digitalis, lunaria, strawberries and trillium for example. In addition to the desired plantings the knotweed had over run the the yard on the West side. It was so dense the well was hidden in a jungle of stalks. By late spring the jewelweed was 3 feet tall covering much of ground not inhabited by the knotweed.