Itch All Over? Maybe It’s Poison Ivy
Posted by Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. on May 13th 2024
Virtually everyone is familiar with that scourge of gardeners and hikers alike—poison ivy. It grows just about anywhere, though it’s most commonly found on the edges of forests, lawns, and roadways. It can grow as a vine, creep along the ground, or grow as a bush, and it’s very durable root systems make it difficult to remove. Identifying it is easy— it always grows with three shiny leaves in a cluster.
What causes the itchy rash? A rash from poison ivy is caused by an oil found in the plant called urushiol (you-ROO-shee-all). When this oil touches your skin, it often causes an itchy, blistering rash, which can spread to cover large sections of the body.
Is there a homeopathic solution to the problem?
You bet.
Homeopathy is based on a law of nature that "like cures like.”
The most common remedy used to treat poison ivy rashes is the homeopathic remedy Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox). Made from the leaves of the poison ivy plant, this remedy is often the only remedy someone with poison ivy requires.
You can find the remedy in standalone formulations for poison ivy (like our very own WHP Poison Ivy™) or by purchasing it by name (Rhus tox), available from Washington Homeopathic Products in 30C and 200C potencies.
Dosing tips: When you first notice a rash and itchy skin, take a dose of Rhus tox and wait. If after 60 minutes there is no relief from the itching, take another dose and continue dosing every 30 minutes until you see improvement. At that point, stop and only redose if symptoms begin to worsen again.
About Dr. Lisa Samet:
Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.
Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Skype. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well.