Best Essential Oils for Poison Ivy: Plus Three Natural Poison Ivy Remedies

Wondering what are the best essential oils for poison ivy? This post covers the best essential oils for poison ivy to use in natural poison ivy remedies to soothe poison ivy rashes and itching. Discover ten essential oils that help to reduce swelling, itching and pain caused by poison ivy rashes. Plus three easy poison ivy home remedies for making a homemade poison ivy gel, a poison ivy relief spray and a DIY poison ivy compress.

Leaves of three, let them be. Your parents or grandparents probably told you this when you were a child. Poison ivy is found all over the United States, but it’s more common east of the Rocky Mountains. Chances are that you’ve had some contact with poison ivy and have already experienced this bothersome plant and it’s oily residue.

A poison ivy rash is caused by an oil that the plant produces canned urushiol. It’s found in all parts of the plant, including the leaves. If it comes into contact with your skin, expect to have redness, itching, swelling, and maybe even blisters for a few weeks.

The itching can make you miserable. Thankfully, you can get poison ivy relief with natural poison ivy remedies, including from essential oils for poison ivy. Keep reading to learn more about the best essential oils for poison ivy, how to use them and get a recipe for a soothing poison ivy gel, a poison ivy relief spray and learn how to make poison ivy compress.

The Best Essential Oils for Poison Ivy

The urushiol in poison ivy is an oil. As soon as you notice that you’ve been exposed to poison ivy, it’s important to wash with soapy water to dissolve the oil. It’s best to wash your skin right away, but as soon as possible is best.

You should also wash your clothes, shoes and any tools that may have touched the poison ivy. If your pet was with you, he or she needs a bath too.

Poison ivy rashes can take 12 to 72 hours to develop. Some people have a rash for up to two weeks. If the rash gets bigger, that’s likely due to a delayed reaction and not from the rash spreading. Contrary to popular belief, poison ivy can not spread from skin exposure. You need to be exposed directly to the plant to get a rash.

Most cases of poison ivy can be treated at home. However, if you have a rash on your face, eye area or a sensitive area, seek medical help immediately. Some people can have problems breathing, especially if they were near burning poison ivy. Again, call your doctor right away.

Following are the best essential oils for poison ivy relief. For skin safety, it’s important to always dilute your essential oils. Carrier oils are a common way to dilute essential oils. However you can also use aloe vera jelly or a lotion base. Typically, you should not use more than 12 drops of essential oil per ounce, although this can vary depending on usage as well as the essential oil.

(To learn more about essential oils, as well as how to essential oils safely, be sure to check out the Simply Earth’s Essential Oil Hero Course here. Or learn more about Simply Earth essential oils here.)

Copaiba Essential Oil

Copaiba essential oil isn’t a common oil, but it’s one of my favorite oils. Copaiba contains beta-caryophyllene, which is a substance that interacts with the cannabinoid receptors on the surface of your skin. Copaiba is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it can help reduce the rash and relieve pain.

In addition, copaiba is a very gentle oil, so it’s safe to use on sensitive skin. It promotes healing and soothes irritation.

Lavender Essential Oil

There’s a reason that lavender essential oil is so popular. Not only is it calming, but it’s also a natural anti-inflammatory. Using it topically can help reduce swelling, and lavender acts like a natural analgesic to reduce pain.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil has natural menthol, which acts like an analgesic to reduce pain temporarily. It is also said to reduce itching thanks to the menthol.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is most well known as a natural antiseptic oil. It can help prevent a secondary infection from scratching the rash.

Juniper Berry Essential Oil

Although not as popular as tea tree oil, juniper berry essential oil is also naturally antimicrobial. It also soothes the skin and relieves itching. It also smells amazing! (I personally love this oil for other uses as well.)

German Chamomile and Roman Chamomile Essential Oils

Although slightly different, both German chamomile essential oil and Roman chamomile essential oil are both excellent for the skin. They are gentle, which is important for irritated skin. Both help reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is used for hydrating the skin. It’s recommended that you use eucalyptus when the poison ivy rash is going away and your skin is healing.

Pine Essential Oil

Pine essential oil is often used in soaps and other skin care recipes, and it’s a great essential oil to use on poison ivy. It’s said to promote skin healing, so use it when your skin starts to heal.

Myrrh Essential Oil

Myrrh Essential Oil isn’t a common oil, but it’s one of the best essential oils for poison ivy. It’s naturally anti-inflammatory. It’s also an analgesic to reduce pain and itching.

Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil can help reduce itching. When you use it topically, it can stop your body from producing histamines that cause itching.

Natural Poison Ivy Remedies with Essential Oils for Poison Ivy

Homemade Poison Ivy Gel with Essential Oils for Poison Ivy

Now that you know about the best essential oils for poison ivy, you can use them to make homemade remedies like this poison ivy gel. I used lavender to promote healing, copaiba for topical pain relief and peppermint because it is cooling and reduces itching.

Note that this is a two step process, so there is no amount for the apple cider vinegar. You will use the apple cider vinegar separately, so do not add it with the aloe and essential oils.

Ingredients:

2 ounces aloe vera gel
18 drops peppermint essential oil
18 drops copaiba essential oil
18 drops lavender essential oil
Apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Combine the aloe vera gel and essential oils. Stir well.

Dab apple cider vinegar on poison ivy rash. Use a cotton ball and discard after each use. Let dry completely.

Apply the poison ivy gel to affected areas.

You can use this homemade poison ivy gel several times a day for quick poison ivy relief.

Poison Ivy Relief Spray Recipe with Essential Oils for Poison Ivy

This poison ivy relief spray recipe has a shelf life of about two weeks when kept in the refrigerator. So make this when you need it and don’t store it for long periods of time. The coolness from the fridge will feel great on your skin.

Ingredients:

3 ounces distilled water
1 ounce raw apple cider vinegar
1 ounce apricot kernel oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops copaiba essential oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops pine essential oil

Directions:

Combine the apricot kernel oil and essential oils in an 8 ounce spray bottle. Shake to combine. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake well.

Since this doesn’t have an emulsifier, the oil and water will separate. Shake before using. Spray on poison ivy rashes as needed.

DIY Poison Ivy Compress with Essential Oils for Poison Ivy

Use this compress to apply directly to poison ivy. Cut old towels or even an old t-shirt to make smaller compresses if desired.

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon apricot kernel oil
5 drops essential oils for poison ivy

Directions:

Combine the apricot kernel oil and essential oils in a bowl. Add a cup of warm water. Stir well. Soak a towel or washcloth in the water and apply directly to your poison ivy rash. Repeat several times a day.

More Natural Poison Ivy Remedies

There are other natural poison ivy remedies you can try in addition to the homemade essential oil remedies above. Here are a few you can purchase online for fast poison ivy relief of itching and inflammation.

• Jewelweed Soap for Poison Ivy
• Poison Ivy Soap with Jewelweed
• Jewelweed & Myrrh Salve for Poison Ivy
• Poison Ivy Itch Relief Spray
• Leaves of Three Poison Ivy Essential Oil Blend
• Jewelweed Itch Ease Spray
• Anti-Itch Remedy for Poison Ivy

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