All natural itch treatment offered at farmers’ market

In 2016, Cambridge, Minnesota resident Trina Engle was suffering after coming into contact with poison ivy. Her significant other Clint VanLaanen did some research into naturally-based treatments and decided to make a salve. When it was done, though, its consistency was too thick to be applied like a lotion. “Not wanting to waste the almost $50 we had invested in making it, he purchased some empty lip balm tubes from Michaels. We filled them up and the ItchStick was born!” 

 

The couple gave some of their extra tubes to friends and family, who were immediately hooked and began asking for more. “We decided to start selling to the public, because not only did it do wonders on poison ivy, but we learned that our ItchStick helps relieve almost any itch or sting. It is safe for kids, babies, and dogs! Then, to help my son’s eczema, we developed the ItchStick chronic dry skin which also helps with eczema and psoriasis. We had to change the recipe twice in the past ten years, but we got it.”

 

Using all natural ingredients, it’s not for eating, but is safe enough that kids and dogs won’t get sick if they do, said Engle, “It doesn’t taste good either, so kids tend to stay away from that. I’ve hired my niece and nephews to help me when I go into the woods, and we pick truckloads of our own ingredients.” When asked about the specifics of those ingredients, “I can only disclose that we use beeswax, olive oil and plant extracts, the other ingredients are a secret.” She’s also been told by customers that infants with diaper rash who have used the ItchStick have seen their symptoms disappear. Said Engle, “Our product doesn’t even hurt on open sores, just offers instant relief.” Given the popularity of the ItchStick, Engle is now traveling all over the country talking about it.

 

 “We are selling it in a few stores in Florida and a few stores around Cambridge Minnesota, and at farmers markets all over central and southern Minnesota.” In Florida, Engle says, the product has been useful for treating ant bites. “They have a big problem with the fire ants down there.”  

 

Compared to After Bite and BiteMD, which are available on Amazon, people who have tried the ItchStick, are telling Engle and VanLaanen, “We won’t be getting that other stuff anymore, we love yours.” But when it comes to the big brands, Engle said, “I am selling in other states right now, I have plenty of other stuff to do, I don’t have time to worry about what the big brands are doing, if they want to talk, I’ll listen.”

 

For anyone interested in trying one of the ItchSticks, or just wanting to check them out, the ItchStick is sold at the Waseca Farmers Market stand “Cabbage Monster,” offering the ItchStick alongside its own products every Saturday morning at the county fairgrounds. More information is also available online at https://itchstick.com. Engle has no desire to slow down either, “When we make it, we make a few hundred sticks at a time and that’s worked for us so far.”