The herbal and health information provided in this Web Site is intended as historical information only. The historical uses are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nothing listed within this Web Site should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. Persons with serious medical conditions should always seek professional care.
Jewelweed (Impatiens aurea), also known as Wild Balsam, or Balsam Weed, has tall & branching, tender & delicate succulent annuals, with swollen joints, growing in low-lying, damp, rather rich soil, beside streams and in similar damp localities. They are smooth and somewhat glaucous, the stems somewhat translucent, the foliage showing a brilliant silvery surface when immersed in water, which will not adhere to the surface.
This herb has an acrid, burning taste and act strongly as an emetic, cathartic and diuretic, but is considered dangerous, and its use has been termed "wholly questionable".
The chemical constituents are not known, though the leaves apparently contain tannin, which causes them to be employed as an outward application for piles, proving an excellent remedy, the freshly gathered plants being boiled in lard and an ointment made of them. The fresh juice of the herb appears to relieve cutaneous irritation of various kinds, especially that due to Rheas poisoning.
(This herbal ingredient can be purchased from Viable Herbal Solutions in powdered and capsule form as part of our Single Herb sales program.)
