Rebuild from Depression Blog

Just because you got poison oak doesn't mean you're not rugged. I remember when our neighbor, Mike was homebound for several days because of poison oak. He looked like an escapee from a burn unit. And...Mike is rugged, a road builder.

Anyway, use something drastic and then get on with a no-holds-barred life.

Hey Mom.

You're not recommending the bleach are you?

Didn't Mike have it in his mouth? Yikes.

There have to be better alternatives than bleach!

Here is a link to some home remedies:
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/poison_ivy.html

The first one listed is from a Native American recommending an infusion made from oak bark.

My thought had been that wherever you find an obnoxious problem in an environment, you usually also find the antidote.

Voila! You have both the poison oak and the oak trees.

If you try this, remember what he says, ask the tree for permission first.

Cool. Thanks Mom.

Do you know if we have any tar around? (He also says to cover the bark area with tar.)

Fine time for you to be galavanting around the state. LOL

Maybe I'll try the salt.

Hey, you know Mom, not to disgust everyone on the internet, but you know we have washing machine issues. What are the chances that less than adequate laundering facilities is causing me to be reinfected? That's a scary thought. The last batch did come out a bit less than clean.

I live in Asutralia and have never had poison oak, but I have a lot of allergies. I find a calendula cream effective - I use one by Jurlique.
I've also heard that bathing in rooibos tea can help rashes. Never tried it, but can't hurt, can it?

Amanda,
Tecnu soap after exposure for future reference. Fels Naptha soap and a baking soda paste can help. There is also a prophalactic product outdoor types use now, but I can't remember. Will check with Sean.

I had it so bad I had to have a cortisone shot. It is VERY contagious. You can spread it to everyone you love (or don't love if you wish).

Be careful when burning where there may be Poison Oak as you can get it in your lungs from the smoke.

From someone who has LOTS of sad experience with the stuff. Hugs.

When I was on a list for people living the 'rugged life' I believe they said the homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox

http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/homeopathic.html
was the best. And just intuition-wise, what's also coming to me is to dose up on activated charcoal as an overall detox. Best of luck to you!!!

Well, it is too late now for this remedy, though I have read that when you are first affected to rub some dirt on it. (right from the spot around the plant)Supposedly the roots of the offending plant put somthing into the dirt that is an antidote.... supporting the above theory posted above! I think that it is just as effective to wash the area though! LOL But you are a rugged woman , right?!!!)

In a herbal book I have on my lap here it suggests a bath with 4 drops each of peppermint and lavander essential oils( the peppermint oddly is supposed to take care of the itch)4 cups colloidal oatmeal ( is that like the aveeno stuff? I would just wrap a couple of handfuls in a washcloth and run the bath over it squeezing the milk out of it onto your skin)and a cup of epsom salts. Lukewarm or cool bathwater... or just do it as a spongebath with all of the goodies mixed into the water first. Good luck!

Love your site! Namaste

It may be hard to get right now, but if you can find Jewelweed (Google it!) that is the "antidote" for poison oak/ivy. I noticed it growing everywhere last summer, so I dried some for future use. Sometimes you can find a spray at the healthfood store. Also, homeopathic Rus Tox can really help (I've completely avoided an outbreak by taking that as soon as I notice the first blister, but it will also calm the itching and shorten the duration if taken after the rash is severe). Becareful to wash your clothes and everything you may have touched after coming in contact with the stuff, or you will continually re-expose yourself. Use a soap that will cut oil.

Oh, and it should run it's course in about two weeks (each rash) if you don't re-expose yourself.

You guys are awesome! I feel so loved!

Here's my plan:

1) Find some relief at the health food store tomorrow with some of your suggestions.

2) Stock up with a remedy for future workdays on the north side of the hill. Next time, I'll assume I've been exposed.

3) Do a general detox. This is on my list anyway. The problem is that I can't hit it too hard until Saturday when I'm back home. But I'll get started.

4) Wash absolutely everything at the laundromat tomorrow. Use some real detergent.

5) Call Dick to fix the washer.

6) Send out invitations to Veronica's shower *after* scrubbing up. (This is just a plug for Veronica who posted above who we've known forever. She is about to have her first baby.)

Amanda

I've never had poison oak, but I seem to remember a "cure" for poison ivy being to take an ocean dip. I had a few friends in high school do this and within a day their poison ivy cleared up. I wonder if the same holds true for poison oak...

Now we're talking!

Mom, can I come house sit with you? I hear there are a lot of warm beaches in the San Diego area.

Thanks Jennifer!

Mud.. It will help take the itch out and should be readily available... good luck

My mom had poison oak not long ago just working in her yard. She spent money going to the doctor to get a fancy perscription, he told her to get cortizone 10 cream from the drug store.

I'm on the road now and I've got the homeopathic remedy going and some calendula cream. We got a cortizone prescription just in case.

I washed all of the clothes and feel better already.

Thanks for the info everyone!

I have tried everything natural and non-natural for the oak (including bleach). Since I am allergic to prednisone, I had to find a solution that really works. Available online and at Humboldt Herbals in Eureka, CA you can find Poison Oak Antidote. It is formulated with natural minerals and essential oils to stop the itch, and spread of poison oak rash. If applied as soon as you notice it, most people don't even get blisters. There are many wonderful herbal applications on the market, but I can guarantee none are as effective as this. I have had several pleased customers already this season. No more worries you rugged men and women! Enjoy the season.

Thanks Brenda! It sounds like a great product to have on hand for the coming winter. The area of our property with the poison oak is now snake country, so I'll just keep out for now.

Amanda

We have the cure!!! Black tea...I use the really cheap Lipton stuff--nothing fancy. Make a brew of it and pour it into a tub...for acute issues go ahead and dip a bag in hot water and rub the area. Careful...it stains...

We have the cure!!! Black tea...I use the really cheap Lipton stuff--nothing fancy. Make a brew of it and pour it into a tub...for acute issues go ahead and dip a bag in hot water and rub the area. Careful...it stains...

One of the best treatments for poison oak is an Amazonian rainforest herb called Sangre de Grado (other names Sangre de Drago, and Dragon's blood). It really works wonders. One should rub it into the affected area and also take some internally. You can get it in tincture form at most healthfood stores now, or definitely online.
Good luck!