Orange jewelweed is a native Maine plant that blooms mid-summer through early fall. This plant has vibrant, cornucopia-shaped flowers, and is also called “touch-me-not.” This moniker is not due to any contact allergy it produces — but rather for its pods that pop and scatter seeds when touched.
Often found in moist, shady environments, this plant can serve a valuable purpose other than being aesthetically pleasing.
Crushing the leaves from jewelweed and applying it to skin exposed to poison ivy may help you this season as it contains soap-like compounds called saponins, which can counteract the urushiol that causes a rash and itching.
To preserve jewelweed for topical use, it can be infused in apple cider vinegar. I learned this method back in 2019 from a wilderness first aid course. The process involves chopping or crushing fresh jewelweed, placing it in a jar and covering it with apple cider vinegar. After steeping for several weeks in a cool, dark location, the mixture is strained and the infused vinegar can be stored for later use.
When I made a remedy jar in 2019, I sealed it with a metal lid that eventually corroded, making it impossible to open. To avoid this problem, use a plastic lid instead or place a layer of wax paper between the jar rim and a metal lid before sealing.
