Jewelweed, aka touch me not, aka witch weed and many other names. Crush the stalk and rub the liquid on the affected areas.
http://customers.hbci.com/~wenonah/hydro/jewelwed.htm It's also good for bug bites/stings and other skin irritants/rashes.
Plantains are good for bug bites/stings also.
Cinnamon rubbed into a cold sore will shorten the healing time.
Apple cider vinegar will take care of heartburn.
Sassafras roots seeped in boiling water will make a tea, add a little honey and it will reduce blood pressure.
Garlic crushed and "sandwiched" between two pieces of gauze and applied to a bacterial infection will kill the bacteria and reduce the swelling (this will work for MRSA also, but will take longer than some high dose antibiotics). Use organic garlic....the stuff sold in stores that was grown in China is irradiated and won't work very well.
Half a lemon can be used to draw infection out of a open/scabbed wound.
Chewing willow bark and leaves will reduce fevers and pain.
Just a few helpful holistic healing methods. My family prides themselves on knowing how to use the land to prevent/cure disease and inflictions. The jewelweed is by far one of the best methods for poison ivy. My father used to use gasoline to "dry" it out and remove the oils. I used to get a rash from poison ivy, but outgrew it around 20 years ago. Hope these methods help.
