Medicinal plant

Jewelweed

Impatiens capensis

A traditional topical remedy for itchy, irritated skin. Also called Orange Jewelweed, Spotted Touch-Me-Not.

An antipruritic and vulnerary plant, traditionally applied topically to soothe itchy, irritated skin — often found growing near poison ivy and used as a traditional folk remedy for its rash.

Properties

Antipruritic — Helps soothe itching

Vulnerary — Supports healing of wounds or damaged tissue

Energetics
Cooling Moistening
Note Used primarily as a topical preparation rather than taken internally.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), historical botanical illustration

Growing and using it

Life cycle

Annual that readily self-seeds.

What to buy

Straight-species orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) seed if it is not already naturally established.

Best way to start

Allow an existing patch to self-seed, or sow seed outdoors.

Seed starting

Fresh seed needs a cold period; fall sowing outdoors is the simplest method.