Ayurveda, Yoga & Self-Care for Poison Ivy: From Rash to Remedy

Discover Ayurvedic and holistic ways to prevent and treat poison ivy. Includes my NYC yoga teacher story, DIY yard remedies, essential oil blends, jewelweed tips, and soothing care for skin.

Ugh - poison ivy…

To be honest, I thought I was somehow immune to it. I’d been hiking and camping for most of my life and I was also one of those kids who didn’t care about getting dirty. I assumed I had been exposed to it multiple times and just never had a reaction. I was wrong!

My First (and Worst) Experience with Poison Ivy

I came back from a dreamy weekend of camping, thinking I was sun-kissed and spiritually refreshed… only to realize I had poison ivy. And not just a little. My entire chest and upper back were covered in a pretty gross-looking rash. At the time, I had a packed week teaching yoga at boutique studios and luxury gyms in NYC. I was demoing poses, sweating under lights, twisting, cueing, all while trying to cover up the rash, and also take care of it.

What Even Is Poison Ivy?

Poison ivy contains an oil called urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction in most people. You can get it from touching the plant directly or coming into contact with contaminated gear, pets, or clothing.

It usually shows up as:

  • Itchy red rash or bumps

  • Blisters or swelling

  • Heat and inflammation in the area

How Ayurveda Approaches Poison Ivy

From what I understand, in Ayurvedic terms, poison ivy can possibly be viewed as a Pitta-aggravated condition—hot, inflamed, red, and angry. The goal is to cool, soothe, and calm the skin and nervous system.

Self-Care Tips That Actually Help

These are what helped me once I figured it out:

  • Cool oatmeal baths – Add 1 cup of colloidal oats to a lukewarm bath and soak

  • Aloe vera – Fresh from the plant if possible

  • Neem – Try neem powder paste or a neem-based lotion

  • Coriander seed tea – Internally cooling

  • Coconut oil with a drop of chamomile or lavender – Soothes and supports the skin barrier

Essential Oils (Use With Care)

Some essential oils can aggravate the rash if used incorrectly—but when used properly, they can help.

Best Essential Oils for Poison Ivy (Always dilute)

  • Lavender – Calms irritation and supports healing

  • German chamomile – Anti-inflammatory

  • Frankincense – Calming and skin-supportive

  • Helichrysum – Regenerative

  • Calendula-infused oil – Gentle and healing

Mix 1–2 drops in a tablespoon of carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) and apply gently. Always test on a small area first.

Jewelweed: Nature’s Built-In Antidote

Jewelweed often grows right next to poison ivy, which feels like a small miracle. It’s been used for generations to relieve itching and prevent rash development.

You can:

  • Crush fresh jewelweed and apply directly to the skin

  • Use jewelweed salve or spray

  • Add jewelweed tincture to your DIY oil blends

  • Just keep this stuff in your medicine cabinet if you know you’re going to be outdoors - it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

DIY Poison Ivy Yard Spray

Want to keep poison ivy out of your yard? Try this pet-safe, earth-friendly option.

Vinegar-Based Ivy Killer

  • 1 gallon white vinegar

  • 1 cup salt

  • 1 tablespoon dish soap

Mix and pour into a spray bottle. Spray directly onto the leaves of poison ivy plants on a hot, sunny day. Repeat as needed.

Note: This will kill other plants too—apply carefully.

What to Look For: Poison Ivy 101

“Leaves of three, let it be.”

Keep an eye out for:

  • Three shiny green leaflets per stem

  • Reddish stems or edges in spring

  • Red or orange coloring in the fall

  • Can grow as a vine, bush, or groundcover

If you touch it, wash immediately with cold water and soap or use a poison ivy cleanser like Technu. I have also used any dish soap that’s made for getting out grease (if it can take out grease, it can remove oil).

Yoga & Nervous System Support

Poison ivy affects more than just your skin—it taxes your whole nervous system. The itch, the heat, the frustration—it’s a lot.

What helped me:

  • Cooling breathwork (choose the one that works best for you)

  • Gentle Yin yoga and forward folds - if the itch is finally at bay and not distracting you…

  • Restorative practices and Yoga Nidra

  • Meditation and grounding mantras (listening to them while doing chores or cooking dinner can help get the mind off the itch)

The Fine Print

This post is for educational purposes only. I’m not a doctor or a dermatologist. I’m sharing what’s worked for me—after a very real, frustrating, itchy journey. Always consult your practitioner before trying new remedies, especially if you’re using essential oils, herbs, or anything on children or pets.

From NYC Studios to Forest Trails

I’ll never forget demoing upward dog while silently wishing I could crawl out of my skin. Now that I live in the woods full-time, I’m way more prepared. I’ve got my jewelweed salve, my Ayurvedic toolkit, and a healthy respect for nature’s power.

Whether you’re hiking trails, camping for the weekend, or just weeding the garden—may your skin stay cool, your nervous system calm, and your poison ivy experience short-lived.

Want to explore essential oils?

Let’s keep you (and all oved ones!) protected, grounded, and glowing—naturally.

Lisa Bermudez