Herb: Pale Jewelweed


Latin name: Impatiens pallida


Family: Balsaminaceae (Touch-me-not Family)



Medicinal use of Pale Jewelweed:

The whole plant is diuretic, emetic and purgative. It is only used externally, the soothing and medicinal sap is a proven remedy for nettle stings and poison ivy rash and is also used in the treatment of warts, corns, ringworm and haemorrhoids.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
150 cm
(5 feet)

Habitat of the herb:

Moist woodland and wet meadows, usually on calcareous soils.

Edible parts of Pale Jewelweed:

Young leaves and shoots - cooked. Added to sukiyaki, chow mein and other oriental dishes. When used as a vegetable on their own the cooking water should be changed once or twice during the cooking. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the record. Seed. No more details are given but the seeds are difficult to harvest in quantity, mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch.

Other uses of the herb:

A fungicide is obtained from the plant. It is used to treat skin diseases. There are no more details but it is probably obtained from the fresh juice of the plant and can be concentrated by boiling up the juice.

Propagation of Pale Jewelweed:

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

Moist woodland and wet meadows, usually on calcareous soils.

Known hazards of Impatiens pallida:

Regular ingestion of large quantities of these plants can be dangerous due to their high mineral content. This report, which seems nonsensical, might refer to calcium oxalate. This mineral is found in I. capensis and so is probably also in other members of the genus. It can be harmful raw but is destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.