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You may have a treatment for poison ivy rash or poison oak rash growing right in your own backyard.

The best treatment for poison ivy rash or poison oak rash is prevention. That advice, however, will do you little good when you accidentally come into contact with it in your backyard. Fortunately, you just might have another weed in the backyard whose juice acts as a treatment for poison ivy rash, relieving that awful itch. The weed is called, "jewelweed" (sometimes misspelled as "jewel weed"), or "touch-me-not". Its taxonomy, Impatiens capensis, classifies it as a wild version of the colorful impatiens plants sold so widely for shady annual beds. However, for jewelweed to be most effective as a treatment for poison ivy rash, you really need to derive an extract from it. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands, purchasing a jewelweed extract may be more feasible than making your own.

The first thing you should do for the treatment of poison ivy rash, regardless of whether you intend a natural or a medical treatment, is to take the following steps within 10-15 minutes of contact:

Apply rubbing alcohol to the infected area.
Rinse with water (any water).
Wash up with soap and warm water.

Different people find different degrees of relief in the treatment of poison ivy rash through over-the-counter remedies, such as hydrocortisones. But some people have such a severe reaction to the plant that they need to visit a physician. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks to get rid of the ivy rash.

Jewelweed naturally contains two methoxy-1, four napthoquinine—an anti-inflammatory and fungicide that’s the active ingredient of Preparation H.

If you accidentally touch poison ivy and apply jewelweed juice to the affected area before the rash appears, you probably won't get the rash.

The Indians treat already-developed poison ivy rash by rubbing jewelweed’s broken stem on the rash until it draws some blood. The rash then dries out, a scab forms, and healing occurs. If you don't feel like making yourself bleed just to get rid of your rash you could try the next suggestion....

There are many ways to capture jewelweed's medicinal properties: The fresh plant lasts a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator. 1960s foraging guru and author Ewell Gibbons reported the jewelweed tincture he extracted in alcohol went moldy, but if you soak fresh jewelweed in commercial witch hazel extract for a few weeks, the extract of the two herbs works well and doesn't perish.

You can also make jewelweed ointment by simmering a small amount of jewelweed in light vegetable oil (any vegetable oil except olive oil, which burns) 10-15 minutes. Use only a small handful of jewelweed stems per quart of oil, or bubbles of jewelweed juice will form in the ointment and go moldy. Strain out the herb, add a handful of beeswax to thicken it, and heat until melted. Take out a spoonful and let it cool to test the thickness, and add more oil or beeswax as needed. Add the contents of one oil-soluble vitamin E capsule, a natural preservative, and let it cool. Refrigerated, it lasts for months.

** It is also good for warts, bruises, fungal skin infections such as ring worm and athletes foot. Also may help excema, minor burns, acne, sores.

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With no greenery to be seen, gray skies and snow-covered roads all around, lack of sun light, reduced activity and the cold winter temperatures can all lead to what is known as the "Winter Blues." The Winter Blues involve feelings of sadness, depression and loss of energy. The below blends can help chase away the symptoms of the winter blues. Citrus oils are emphasized because they are energizing and uplifting oils. Orange, lemon and grapefruit oils are inexpensive (especially orange) and are also favored by many people, so your whole household may enjoy the aroma. When selecting and using oils, be sure to follow all safety precautions and remember that aromatherapy should not be used as a substitute for proper medical treatment.

Select one of the blends above and decide which method you wish to use the blend with.

Add about 15 drops of your chosen essential oil blend into about 2oz of bath oil. You can use a carrier oil of Grapeseed or Sweet Almond as your bath oil. Simply blend together and add a few table spoons into your bath for a luxurious feel.

Blend together about 1½ cup of Dead Sea Salts and 1½ cup of Epsom Salts. Mix in 15 drops of your desired essential oil blend and add about 2-3 table spoons of your mixed salt into your bath water or foot bath.

Use a carrier oil of Grapeseed or Sweet Almond oil as your base and add about 10 drops of your essential oil blend. Feel the winter blues being swept away!

Mix 3 oz of distilled water with your chosen essential oil blend in a clean fine spray bottle. Can be used around the house to freshen the air. You may want to try 20 drops at first especially if you live in a household with someone who is sensitive to strong aromas. Shake the bottle prior to each use, and let it sit for about a day before making a conclusion that the aroma is too weak; the aroma can change after the air freshener has had time to sit. Mist lightly in the room. Be especially careful not to allow the air freshener mist fall onto furniture or into open beverages.

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An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark,

roots, or other elements of a plant. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word "oil" are not really oily-feeling at all.

Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are synthetic (artificially created) fragrances or contain artificial substances and do not offer the therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer.

The chemical composition and aroma of essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits.

These benefits are usually achieved through methods including inhalation and application of the diluted oil to the skin.

Essential oils are often used by diluting them with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil) and then

Careful inhalation of the oils can also provide therapeutic benefit as the oil molecules enter the lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Essential oils can very greatly in quality and price. Various factors that can affect the quality and price of the oil include the rarity of the plant,

country and conditions that the plant was grown, quality standards of the distiller, and how much oil is produced by the plant.

Essential oils can often be purchased as blends of several essential oils. The advantage if it is a blend of pure essential oils is that you can save from

having to buy every essential oil individually. The disadvantage is that you have no control over the blend by not mixing it yourself nor can you reliably

Disclaimer: Beacon Botanicals does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on BeaconBotanicals.com.

Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula,

you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or

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There are so many products on the market today that claim to be miracle workers. They claim to turn back the hands of time to make you look younger,

In reality almost all of the products on the shelves in your local stores contain harmful chemicals with

petrochemical bases that may harm you and the environment. These chemicals are common ingredients in baby shampoo,

Body lotion, Face cream, sunscreen, and a number of other body care products. For more information please visit the

1) Stay out of the sun. We all know it but yet we insist on sun bathing. If you must worship the sun protect yourself with an

all natural sun block of at least SPF 30. Be sure to reapply every 60-90 minutes. Try wearing a hat and protective clothing.

You will be surprised what a difference they make in the appearance of your skin. UV rays are a hazard all year, and sun damage is the

3) Moisturize daily with an all natural body lotion. Preferably a vegetable based lotion that won’t be heavy on your skin.

For the face try to find a moisturizer that contains vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant. It protects skin from free radicals

4) Exfoliate! Beacon Botanicals has an all natural Sugar and Salt Body Scrub that is to die for or just try a loofah.

Exfoliating will take away all of the dry, flakey skin and leave a smooth, soft after feel. In the winter months it is good to exfoliate

5) Drink plenty of water. Tap water is just as good as bottles water in most cases. It is recommended that we drink at least 10

6) Eat Right. A healthy diet can do wonders for your skin. Stimulate your complexion's collagen growth with foods rich in

antioxidants, including leafy green vegetables, blueberries, cantaloupe and other melons. Salmon and egg whites are excellent sources

of protein, which helps nourish skin and repair damage. Remember – everything in moderation!

7) Don’t smoke. Smoking causes fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Not only will it make your skin look bad but it can make you

9) Believe it or not Apple Cider Vinegar is an all natural way to keep skin and hair healthy. It is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids,

helping to dissolve fatty deposits on the skin’s surface and reducing scaly conditions, promoting a softer, smoother appearance.

10) Don’t forget to keep your lips moisturized. We some times forget that our lips are exposed to everything our skin is exposed to.

Dry and cold weather really takes it toll on lips. To keep them in tip top shape simply apply a drop of apricot kernel oil for perfectly

Disclaimer: Beacon Botanicals does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on BeaconBotanicals.com.

Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula,

you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or

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10/05/2007 Welcome to our very first Beacon Botanical's BLOG. If you would like to contribute or have any info or products you are interested in learning more about, please feel free to contact us at info@beaconbotanicals.com

For our very first BLOG we are going to focus on our up coming spot at the Annual Pumpkin Festival held at the River Front in Beacon, NY on October 14th. We have been participating in this festival for the last few years and it has grown in size, from the amount of vendors, to the large crowds it draws every year. There is great music, vendors, pumpkin pie and a kids area. What a fun event!

Beacon Botanicals will be out in full force offering our All Natural, Hand Made Soap, which is always the big seller for us, as well as Body Lotion, Floral Water, and of course our wonderful Bath Salts to mention a few. Customers just love our selection and value and not too many people walk away without a bar of soap or a bottle of lotion in their bag!

The Pumpkin Festival is sponsored by the Beacon Sloop Club. Please visit them at www.Beaconsloopclub.org This organization provides tireless time and energy in protecting the Hudson River and educating others about the river and the importance of clean water. Their goal is to make the Hudson River Valley a beautiful, healthful place to work and play and joining others to change the world a little at a time. Hope to see you there!