Evidence supporting the use of: Impatiens
For the health condition: Bites and Stings
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Impatiens (Impatiens spp.), particularly Impatiens capensis (jewelweed), has a longstanding tradition of use in North American folk medicine for soothing skin irritations, including bites and stings from insects and plants like poison ivy. Native American tribes and early settlers applied crushed jewelweed stems and leaves topically to affected areas, reporting relief from itching, redness, and inflammation. The rationale behind its use is partly based on the plant's natural sap, which is thought to contain compounds such as lawsone and saponins with potential anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects. However, despite these widespread traditional practices, modern scientific studies providing robust evidence for its efficacy are limited. Some laboratory research has demonstrated mild anti-inflammatory and antipruritic (anti-itch) activity in extracts of Impatiens species, but clinical trials in humans are either lacking or have produced inconclusive results. Overall, while impatiens continues to be included in some herbal remedies for bites and stings, its support is grounded primarily in tradition rather than rigorous scientific validation. Further research may clarify its potential benefits, but at present, the evidence supporting its use is considered modest.
Other ingredients used for Bites and Stings
Aloe verabasil
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black cumin
black walnut
bасора
chamomile
citrus oil
turmeric
curcumin
echinacea purpurea
goldenseal
green tea
hemp oil
horseradish
honeysuckle
lavender
mustard seed
oregano
phenolic compounds
plantain
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin E
Zinc
bentonite
chickweed
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
shen-chu
Mugwort
Neem tree
nut grass
Clerodendrum indicum
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
lemongrass
siler root
fern
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Menthol oil
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
melaleuca alternifolia
geranium
arnica
impatiens
ash
avens
Asclepias cordifolia
angel\'s trumpet
Ardisia
Angelica
Achyranthes
anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Aconite
Adrenergic amines
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Alstonia scholaris
Asteraceae
Abuta
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
bee propolis
babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
black-eyed Susan
balsam
bishop\'s weed
Barleria
bitter grass
Brazilian peppertree
bisabolene
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bee products
back nightshade
black root
borneol
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
colloidal silver
capillary artemisia
cinquefoil
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
curcumen
cedar
Centipeda
castile soap
cocklebur
copaiba oil
citronella
devil\'s club
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Eclipta
Echinacea
emu oil
essential oil blend
Eupatorium
Euphorbia
European five-finger grass
eugenol
Fomes fomentarius
fang-feng
Ficus religiosa
fleabane
fir
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
gallotannin
Guazuma ulmifolia
honey
heal-all
Homalomena
Hydrocolloid
hound\'s tongue
Helicteres isora
henna
hairy arnica
Herb Robert
Hyaluronidase
hemp
Horsemint
Huang hua
Ilex
Indian coraltree
isobutylamides
Jessica\'s sticktight
lime
Lesser speargrass
Litsea
Laggera pterodonta
lodhtree
labrador tea
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
Lysimachia
Lewis's monkey flower
Mountain horopito
Mustard
Melia
Monoterpenes
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Matapalo Tree
Mahonia
Milkweed
Morning glory
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Macaranga indica
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
Osha
Oxystelma
Propolis
Phyllanthus
purple Tephrosia
Pluchea
prepared aconite tuber
Pellitory
Peucedanum
Portulaca
Plumbago zeylanica
Papayotin
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
p-menthane-3,8-diol
Quisqualis
rue
resin
red spiderling
Rubia yunnanensis
Rhus glabra
Spilanthes
Sinapis arvensis
Sesbania
Spanish Needle
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Self-Heal
Smooth Alder
Sweet Annie
Spikenard
Sensitive Plant
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Southernwood
Soapberry
Stellaria dichotoma
Sapindus mukorossi
Stereospermum
Sweet Bay
Storax
Terpenoids
Trumpet Vine
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymus
Thymol
Tansy
Tea Tree Oil
Tagetes
Vervain
Witch Hazel
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Savory
Yerba Mansa
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by impatiens
AbrasionsBites and Stings
Bruises (healing)
Cuts
Insect Repellant
Scratches and Abrasions
Wounds and Sores