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PLANT PROFILE LIST
NAME: Jewelweed
SPECIES / FAMILY: Impatiens Capensis / Balsaminaceae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S):
CONDITIONS: partial-full shade
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PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
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All |
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Shoots |
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COOK |
Spring |
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Leaves |
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COOK |
Spring |
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Stalk/Stem |
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COOK |
Spring |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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COOK |
Summer/Fall |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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PORTION: small
COMMENT: Leaves; Seed; Stem. The succulent stems, whilst still young and tender, can be cut up and cooked like green beans. Young leaves and shoots - cooked. (1) Flowers can be orange or yellow.
CAUTION: 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.(1)
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-533/jewelweed Antidote; Poultice; Stings; Warts. Jewelweed was commonly used as a medicinal herb by a number of native North American Indian tribes, and has been widely used in domestic medicine. Its main value lies in its external application for wounds and a range of skin complaints. However, it is little used in modern herbalism and is considered to be dangerous and 'wholly questionable' when used internally.(1) Plant juice great for stinging nettle, bee stings, poison ivy, etc..
LOOK-A-LIKES:
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES:
OTHER USES: Dye; Fungicide. The fresh juice obtained from the plant is a fungicide. This juice can be concentrated by boiling it. A yellow dye has been made from the flowers. It can be made from the whole plant.(1)
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):