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Common Name: Jewelweed

General Information

Impatiens capensis is an annual plant that can grow up to 1.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

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[].

Botanical References

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Range

N. America - Newfoundland to Saskatchewan. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitat

Along the banks of rivers and canals[], also in low-lying moist woodlands, avoiding acid soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.20 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist well-drained humus rich soil in a cool shady site[, ].
Plants self-sow in areas where minimum winter temperatures go no lower than -15°c[].
This plant has seed capsules that spring open forcibly as the seed ripens to eject the seed a considerable distance. The capsules are sensitive to touch even before the seed is ripe, making seed collection difficult but fun[].

Edible Uses

The succulent stems, whilst still young and tender, can be cut up and cooked like green beans[].
Young leaves and shoots - cooked. They contain calcium oxalate crystals[]. Calcium oxalate is usually destroyed by thorough cooking[]. Large quantities of the leaves are purgative[]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

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[].
The herb is antidote, cathartic, diuretic and emetic[, , , ]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers, difficult urination, measles, stomach cramps, jaundice etc[].
The juice of the leaves is used externally in the treatment of piles, fungal dermatitis, nettle stings, poison ivy rash, burns etc[, , , , ].
The sap is used to remove warts[].
A poultice of the leaves is applied to bruises, burns, cuts etc[].

Other Uses

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[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.