Effect:
anti-inflammatory
Areas of application:
Skin rashes, acne, eczema, heat rash, ringworm, warts, wounds, skin irritations from poison ivy, poison oak, okra spines, nettle and others, athlete's foot, fungal infections, bruises, burns, insect bites, kidney, liver and urinary tract diseases, gastrointestinal -Complaints
Plant parts used:
the juice of the stems and leaves
Collection time:
at any time
To find:
Found in moist soil, in shady places, on streams, near rivers and on the edge of forests, but also as a garden plant.
Ingredients:
Saponins, calcium oxalate
Miscellaneous:
The Orange Jewelweed is named for its seeds and leaves. The ripe seed pods "burst" when touched, hence the name "don't touch me." Dew and rain roll off the leaves. The leaves are bluish-green, oval or lanceolate and coarsely toothed. The lower leaves are opposite while the upper leaves are alternate. The orange-red balsam blooms from May to October and produces two types of flowers. The showy orange trumpet-shaped flowers hang on thin stems. They are about 2 cm long and have mottled, reddish-brown spots on the inside of the trumpet neck. The second type of flower is tiny, has no petal and remains closed. This small flower produces the most seed pods and has five valves that open when ripe and eject its seeds. The plant branches heavily and forms smooth, round trunks. The entire plant grows to a height of approximately 90 - 150 cm and the leaves are up to 9 cm long.
🛑 Both orange Jewelweed and potentilla are popularly known in English by the same name “silverweed”. Be careful not to mix up the plants. Orange Jewelweed can be used topically or as a water extract, but not in alcoholic tinctures. Use the plant in small quantities and dilute water extracts before use. Concentrated solutions can cause redness and irritation to the skin.