Poison ivy is a plant that is well known for causing an itchy, irritating rash in most people who touch it. The rash results from contact with an oily resin called urushiol, which is found in all parts of the poison ivy plant. While contact with poison ivy should be avoided, the plant does have some beneficial uses.
Quick answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about poison ivy’s uses:
- Poison ivy has traditionally been used as a natural pesticide and insect repellent.
- Extracts from the plant have antifungal and antimicrobial properties that may help treat certain skin conditions.
- Urushiol from poison ivy can be used to make a natural black dye and also to produce protective lacquers.
- Poison ivy may have some minor medicinal benefits when used properly, including as an anti-itch treatment.
- The plant provides food and habitat for certain wildlife species.
Use as a natural pesticide
One of the most well-known beneficial uses of poison ivy is as a natural herbicide, pesticide, and insect repellent. Various parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and roots, contain urushiol. When applied to other plants, urushiol can deter or even kill some insect pests. Traditionally, boiled poison ivy leaves or roots were sprayed onto crops to protect them from insects and vermin. The resin has also been used to repel mosquitoes and other bugs when applied to the skin, in a similar way to citronella oil.
Today, commercially produced botanical pesticides may contain standardized extracts of poison ivy. The EPA has approved certain products containing poison ivy extracts for organic gardening uses. When used properly, poison ivy extracts can eliminate some common garden pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies without the risks of synthetic chemicals. However, protective gear should still be worn when applying poison ivy-based pesticides to avoid skin reactions.
Medicinal potential
While poison ivy should never be ingested or used internally, some minor external medicinal uses have been identified. Urushiol from poison ivy stems has traditionally been used to treat joint pain and arthritis when applied topically in limited amounts. It has also been used as a folk remedy for corns, calluses, and warts.
More recently, researchers have looked at poison ivy’s potential to treat certain skin conditions. Urushiol and other compounds in the plant have antifungal and antimicrobial activities. Extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of yeast, bacteria, and other microbes that can worsen skin ailments. One study found that a 5% poison ivy extract cream effectively treated athlete’s foot.
Ironically, very diluted urushiol may also relieve poison ivy rashes by “switching off” histamine production in the skin. However, severe reactions can occur with overuse, so extreme caution is needed when using poison ivy preparations on open rashes. OTC products like Ivy Dry and Zanfel contain low dose urushiol for treating poison ivy symptoms.
Conclusion on medicinal uses
While poison ivy shows some promise for minor external treatments, it should not be self-prescribed. Allergic reactions and skin injury can occur without proper medical guidance. There are much safer commercial products available to treat most skin conditions.
Making dye and lacquer
The urushiol oil found in poison ivy’s sap can be used to make a high quality black dye or ink. The lacquer-like resin was traditionally used by Native Americans to decorate bows and other objects. When exposed to oxygen over time, it cures into a shiny, durable black finish. The ink has also been used to tattoo skin in the past.
In addition to making dyes, poison ivy’s urushiol can be used to produce Asian-style lacquer finishes for wood or leather goods. The raw sap is processed similarly to the toxic lacquer extracted from the related Japanese lacquer tree. Multiple layers are built up to create a glossy, waterproof surface. The lacquer was historically used to coat boxes, baskets, and furniture.
Working with urushiol lacquer or dye requires substantial safety precautions due to the risk of extreme allergic rashes. Modern commercial lacquers are much safer alternatives in most cases.
| Product | Process |
|---|---|
| Black dye/ink | Extract and boil down poison ivy sap to concentrate urushiol |
| Lacquer finish | Process raw poison ivy sap similarly to techniques for toxic Japanese lacquer |
Wildlife food and habitat
While humans try to avoid poison ivy, a variety of wildlife species seek it out. Deer, goats, and birds like grouse and quail browse on poison ivy leaves and stems. The plant provides good habitat and cover for small mammals and ground-nesting birds.
Butterflies like spicebush swallowtails, white admirals, and red-spotted purples rely on poison ivy as a caterpillar host plant. Bees collect nectar from the plant’s small greenish-white flowers. Seeds are spread through bird’s droppings after they eat poison ivy berries.
By providing food and shelter, poison ivy fills an important ecological niche, especially in its native range. Keeping some stands of the plant can help support local wildlife diversity. Of course, poison ivy should still be managed carefully in areas frequented by humans.
Key points
- Deer, goats, grouse, quail and other wildlife eat poison ivy leaves and stems
- The plant provides habitat and cover for small mammals and ground-nesting birds
- Certain butterfly and moth caterpillars rely specifically on poison ivy as a host plant
- Bees gather nectar from poison ivy flowers
Risks of poison ivy uses
While poison ivy does have some beneficial uses, contacting and handling any part of the plant comes with significant risks. Urushiol can cause an itchy, blistering rash in the majority of people through direct contact, secondary contact, smoke inhalation, and other exposure pathways. The rash generally persists for 1-3 weeks and can become quite severe in sensitive individuals.
Beyond just rashes, poison ivy and products derived from it should never be ingested. Eating plants or plant extracts can potentially cause dangerous gastrointestinal effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain. Other risks like blurred vision, breathing issues, and mouth blistering are also possible with internal use.
Whenever handling or experimenting with poison ivy, extreme caution is warranted. Wear protective gloves, long sleeves, pants, and goggles or a face shield. THoroughly wash hands, clothes, and tools afterwards. Have an urushiol-removing product like Tecnu on hand in case of accidental exposure.
Safety Tips
- Wear full protective clothing and gear when handling any part of the poison ivy plant
- Take great care to avoid urushiol smoke inhalation if burning the plant
- Never ingest poison ivy or products made from it
- Have products with Tecnu, bentonite clay, isopropanol etc. available to remove urushiol and treat rashes
- Tell a doctor if rash covers a large area or causes severe symptoms
Alternative plants
With proper precautions, poison ivy can serve some useful purposes. However, a range of safer alternative plants are available that can provide similar benefits with much lower risks:
- Pest control: Neem, pyrethrins, essential oils, Diatomaceous earth
- Medicinal uses: Aloe vera, calendula, comfrey, tea tree oil
- Dyes: Beetroots, turmeric, blueberries, spinach
- Lacquer: Commercial lacquer, varnish
- Wildlife food/habitat: Blackberry, raspberry, honeysuckle, native grasses and shrubs
With a wealth of safer, effective options available, poison ivy should generally be avoided when possible.
Conclusion
While the common wisdom is to stay far away from poison ivy, the plant does have some beneficial uses for pest control, medicine, dyes, lacquer, and wildlife. However, poison ivy should always be handled with extreme caution due to the risk of painful, long-lasting rashes from urushiol exposure. Any medicinal use requires medical supervision. For most applications, safer alternative plants exist. But in some cases, poison ivy may serve a useful purpose when precautions are taken.
