JEWELWEED IMPATIENS CAPENSIS MEERB

JEWELWEED (Impatiens capensis Meerb.) +

Synonyms: I. biflora Walter and I. pallida Nutt. are considered synonyms by yours truly. Regrettably, PH2 says, not too intelligently, Impatiens is common in the temperate regions and in South Africa, but grows mostly in the mountainous regions of Asia and Africa. That makes me think they are talking more of I. balsamina, but their monograph is labeled I. biflora, and refers to jewelweed, an American species. They cite only two German references, the same two they cite in their first edition PHR. Much of the confusion may hark back to EFS who rather lump I. aurea, I. balsamina, I. biflora, and I. nolitangere. I suspect they all contain lawsone, which makes them rather generic medicinally. For the moment I am reluctant to aggregate the data on the garden ornamental, I. balsamina, and my lovely wild flowers here in Maryland, the orange and the yellow jewelweed.

Activities (Jewelweed) :
- Analgesic (1; FNF); Antibacterial (1; FNF); Antihistaminic (1; CEB; FNF); Antiinflammatory (1; FNF); Antipyretic (1; FNF); Antiseptic (1; FNF); Antisarcomic (1; FNF); Antisickling (1; FNF); Antispasmodic (1; FNF); Antitumor (1; FNF); Aperitif (f; PH2); Digestive (f; PHR; PH2); Diuretic (f; APA; DEM; PHR; PH2); Emetic (f; CEB); Emmenagogue (1; FNF); Fungicide (1; APA; FNF); Laxative (f; CEB); Oxytocic (1; FNF); Uterotonic (1; FNF).

Indications (Jewelweed) :
- Anorexia (f; PH2); Asthma (f; CEB); Bacteria (1; FNF); Bruise (1; APA; CEB; DEM; FAD; FNF); Bug Bite (1; FAD; FNF); Burn (1; APA; DEM; FAD; FNF); Cancer (1; FNF; JLH); Childbirth (f; DEM); Cold (f; CEB); Constipation (f; APA; CEB); Corn (f; JLH); Cramp (f; DEM; FNF); Cut (1; FAD; FNF); Dermatosis (1; DEM; FNF); Dropsy (f; CEB; DEM); Dyspepsia (f; PHR; PH2); Dysuria (f; DEM); Eczema (1; DEM; FAD; FNF); Eyelid (f; DEM); Fever (1; FNF); Fungus (1; APA; CEB; FNF); Gastrosis (f; DEM); Headache
(f; DEM); Hemorrhoid (f; APA; CEB; PH2); Hepatosis (f; APA); Hive (1 DEM; FNF); Infection (1; APA; FNF); Inflammation (1; FNF); Itch (1; APA; FNF); Jaundice (f; CEB; DEM); Liver Spot (f; DEM); Mycosis (1; APA; FNF); Nephrosis (f; DEM); Pain (1; FNF); Poison Ivy (1; FNF); Rash (f; APA); Ringworm (1; APA; CEB; FAD; FNF); Sore (1; APA; DEM; FAD; FNF); Sprain (1; CEB; DEM; FAD; FNF); Swelling (f; APA); Tumor (1; FNF); Urticaria (1; DEM; FNF); Wart (f; APA; CEB; FAD; JLH; PH2); Water Retention (f; APA; DEM; PHR; PH2); Wound (f; DEM).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Jewelweed):
- Not covered (AHP). Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages (PH2) (but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD). The reported emmenagogue and oxytocic activities of lawsone dictate caution in pregnancy (JAD). Failing to dye my beard red with jewelweed extracts, I fear it was only my cosmetological ignorance. Much later (2000), I read in EFS (ca. 1957), speaking of impatiens, The juice of the plants is used in combination with alum by the natives of tropical countries to dye their nails.