Botanical Index No. 807

Poison Ivy

toxicodendron pubescens

Medicinal Actions

Allergenic, Antiprostaglandin, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Immunostimulant, Laxative, Narcotic, Neurosedative, Neurostimulant, Rejuvenative, Sedative, Stimulant, Tonic

Primary Conditions Treated

Poison Vulnerary Adenopathy Ague Amaurosis Anasarca Anxiety Arthrosis Asthma Boil Bronchosis Cancer Carbuncle Carcinoma Cataract Catarrh Chickenpox Cholera Conjunctivosis Constipation Corneosis Cough Cystosis Depression Dermatosis Diarrhea Dropsy Dysentery Dyslactea Dysmenorrhea Eczema Edema Enterosis Epistaxis Eruption Erysipelas Exanthema Fever Flu Furuncle Gastrosis Giddiness Gout Headache Heart Hemiplegia Herpes Immunodepression Infection Inflammation Insomnia Itch Ischiosis Lumbago Malaria Milk Crust Myalgia Nervousness Neuralgia Ophthalmia Pain Palsy Paralysis Paraplegia Parotosis Pemphigus Phthisis Pleurisy Proctosis Purpura Respirosis Rheumatism Ringworm Sciatica Scrofula Sore Stress Strain Swelling Toothache Typhoid Typhus Ulcer Vaginosis Vulvosis Wart Wound

General Dosage

Do not take it. Largest single dose 50 mg; largest daily dose 150 mg; standard single dose 30 mg.

Safety & Contraindications

I do not recommend using this herb. Most of the indications were originally homeopathic but have leaked out into the general folklore. But note the quote from the PDR on the dangers of the homeopathic preparations in overdose. Still, I have heard many unsolicited testimonials to the virtues of homeopathic “Rhus tox” to alleviate or diminish Rhus sensitivities. Not covered. “Overdoses of homeopathic preparations lead to severe mucous membrane irritation” with colic, diarrhea, hematuria, nephrosis, queasiness, stupor, vertigo, and vomiting, according to the Herbal PDR.

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