Jewelweed

iotsiehrokwa

(Impatiens capensis)

by Barbara Gray

The Creator filled Mother Earth with numerous species of plants. Each plant was given original instructions. Plants were instructed to retain balance within the Great Web of Life by reproducing, cleaning the air and providing beauty, a home, food, and medicines for others in the Natural World.

In Haudenosaunee society, many people have dedicated their lives to keeping our medicinal teachings alive and using this wisdom to heal our people. They are also working hard to pass on this traditional cultural knowledge to our next generation.

This article is about one of our native medicinal plants, Iotsiehrokwa, Jewelweed, which is also known as Spotted Touch-Me-Knot, Snapweed, or by its Latin name, Impatiens capensis.

Identifying the Plant:

Jewelweed grows in wet shady areas, damp woods, and especially along river banks throughout Haudenosaunee territory. The plant has light green steams. These steams are succulent (they are filled with juice).

Jewelweed has beautiful orange spotted tubular flowers. These flowers hang from a small stem off the plant’s main stem.

Some say Jewelweed flowers look like small goldfish dangling in midair.

Jewelweed flowers from July through September.

The plant grows between two to five feet in height. Jewelweed leaves are oval with rounded teeth. The leaves have purple steams. Interestingly, jewelweed leaves turn silver and sparkle like jewels when placed in water, hence its name jewelweed. This phenomenon is caused by microscopic hairs that trap air on the leaf’s surface. The hairs cause water to form small droplets on the leaf that resemble tiny diamonds in the sunlight.

Jewelweed seed pod are about ¾ of an inch long and resemble our center seamed moccasins. The seed pod is colored green and holds tightly inside a beautiful robin’s egg blue colored seed. Interestingly, the seed is edible and tastes nutty. When the seed pod is disturbed by the wind or touched it causes the seedpod to open and with an audible snap the seed is thrown up to four feet away, which explains the plant’s other common names of Touch-Me-Knot and Snap Weed. After the seed is thrown two green spirals remain on the stem.

Medicinal Uses:

Haudenosaunee healers have special methods for selecting, gathering, and preparing Jewelweed for numerous ailments. These methods and uses remain the cultural property of the Haudenosaunee healers; therefore, they will not be discussed in this article other than to say plants should be given thanks before being picked and conservation is of utmost importance. However, a common use of Jewelweed, as a preventative and medicine for the treatment of rashes caused by exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, and stinging nettle, will be discussed.

While walking in the woods or working outdoors, exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, and stinging nettle is a huge probability. If exposed to these irritants, one should immediately look for Jewelweed. The stem of the plant can be cut or mashed and the juice rubbed on the exposed areas. The Jewelweed juice should remove the Urushiol (you-ROO-shee-ol) oil from the skin and prevent the onset of a rash. Jewelweed juice can be used to help reduce inflammation and itching of a rash caused by poison ivy and insect bites.

Jewelweed can be infused or extracted and stored for later use. Many people say make a tea from the stems and leaves; however, the correct term is infusion when you are seeping anything but tea leaves. The leaves and stems should be cut up and placed inside a pot. Cover the Jewelweed with water and steep for approximately 30 minutes. The liquid should turn dark orange. Strain the liquid, pour into ice trays, and freeze for later use. Ice cubes should be placed inside a clearly marked plastic bag.

Many people do not realize that if one comes in contact with Urushiol oil, the irritant of poison ivy, in the winter, perhaps from firewood, one can get poison ivy. Having Jewelweed on hand when the plant is out of season would be quite beneficial.

For more about Poison Ivy see: http://poisonivy.aesir.com/

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please contact Kanatiiosh

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