Botanical Index No. 573

Jewelweed

impatiens capensis

Medicinal Actions

Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antihistaminic, Antiinflammatory, Antipyretic, Antiseptic, Antisarcomic, Antisickling, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, Digestive, Diuretic, Emetic, Emmenagogue, Fungicide, Laxative, Oxytocic, Uterotonic, Hive

Primary Conditions Treated

Aperitif Anorexia Asthma Bacteria Bruise Bug Bite Burn Cancer Childbirth Cold Constipation Corn Cramp Cut Dermatosis Dropsy Dyspepsia Dysuria Eczema Eyelid Fever Fungus Gastrosis Headache Hemorrhoid Hepatosis Infection Inflammation Itch Jaundice Liver Spot Mycosis Nephrosis Pain Poison Ivy Rash Ringworm Sore Sprain Swelling Tumor Urticaria Wart Water Retention Wound

Safety & Contraindications

Not covered. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. The reported emmenagogue and oxytocic activities of lawsone dictate caution in pregnancy. Failing to dye my beard red with jewelweed extracts, I fear it was only my cosmetological ignorance. Much later, I read in EFS, speaking of impatiens, “The juice of the plants is used in combination with alum by the natives of tropical countries to dye their nails.”

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