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Poison Ivy and Jewelweed...Yin and Yang?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC NC# 218097
 
When we still had our camping and backpacking store, Venture Out in Sylva, we used to have really interesting conversations with our customers.  I remember one time talking about poison ivy and the various cures for the horrible rashes.  Our customer, who grew up in this area, pointed out that wherever poison ivy grows...jewelweed grows close by.  Sure enough, over the years I've noticed that in our area starting in late July...jewelweed starts cropping up near the poison ivy.  Unfortunately, poison ivy starts growing earlier that  :-(
 
"Not a problem", she said.  She grew up with a mother who would harvest the plant and drain the fluid into ice cube trays (remember those!) and would freeze it.  Since the cure is a topical application of the jewelweed fluid, early in the year when the family ran into the wicked vine - her mother would just get the jewelweed ice cubes out.
 
There are a lot of good preventatives, soaps and other remedies on the market for poison ivy rashes but usually none are in the house when you've been outside and you know...you just know you've brushed up against the foe.  I don't take chances.  When I come in from weeding or walking through the woods, I pour rubbing alcohol on my exposed skin and the alcohol breaks down the oil left by the plant.  Of course, if you've also run into nettles or multi flora rose thorns there is a real character building stinging but hey, those wounds needed cleaning too!
 
Poison Ivy and Jewelweed copyright 2012 Mona Gersky
 
 
These two photos in the collage were taken this morning.  The jewelweed was less than six inches from the evil poison ivy.  Funny sometimes, how nature tries to take care of us.
 
 
 
 
And the video?   Since I was plagued with the tune the entire return trip of the walk, I just thought I'd share   ;-D
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MoonDancer Realty Team Photo Collage copyright 2012 Mona Gersky

 

 

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Tree Dude Border 1 copyright 2012 Mona Gersky

Tree Dude Border 2 copyright 2012 Mona Gersky

 

Comments (12)

Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Mona,

Thanks for pointing out the difference between the "Poison Ivy and the Jewelweed".

Now I have to remember this when I go camping where there is poison Ivy.

Have a great day in Sylva.

Best, Clint McKie

Aug 10, 2012 11:28 PM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Clint, where can you go camping where there ISN'T poison ivy?  lol

Aug 10, 2012 11:40 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Mona-I never heard of jewelweed. It is amazing that nature provides the remedy right next to the cause. That is pretty cool. Thankfully I have never run into any poison ivy.

Aug 11, 2012 12:05 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Hi Mona,  What an informative post.  I had no idea about the jewelweed remedy.  I can't say that I have seen any poison ivy in years, thankfully. 

Aug 11, 2012 12:08 AM
Leslie G. Rojohn
MoonDancer Realty - Sylva, NC
GRI, ABR ~ MoonDancer Realty

Yes, it's actually the stalk of the jewelweed that holds the thick somewhat slimy liquid that can combat the poison ivy. Slicing down the length of the stalk and rubbing the goo on can help a lot.  But personally, I'm thinking living where Belinda lives sounds good if she hasn't seen any poison ivy in years.

Aug 11, 2012 12:43 AM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Sharon, I hope you never run into poison ivy, some people have no reaction but unfortunately the majority of people end up with painful, itchy blisters.  Not attractive at all.

Belinda, you are lucky.  I wonder if it grows at all in Colorado...I would think some areas would have it.

Leslie, you'd probably like Colorado a lot.

Aug 11, 2012 01:43 AM
Pam Miller
Realty Associates - Conroe, TX
Broker Associate - Water Crest on Lake Conroe

Mona - Great lesson for everyone!  I have never heard of jewelweed.  Nature does try to watch out for us.

Aug 11, 2012 02:09 AM
Tammy Emineth
Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing - Frenchtown, MT
Content Marketer, SEO Teacher, Website Fixer

I'm glad to have gotten out of poison ivy country unscathed! Is Jewelweed the same as Nastrusims? Edible flowers?

Aug 11, 2012 02:43 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Mona, I remember as a kid my little brother chasing a dog through patches of PV and what a mess he made of himself. Guess we didn't know to look for the jewelplant then because he had to make an emergancy visit to hospital. I don't see much of the PV where I live but I have seen poison oak a lot along the coastal areas.
Aug 11, 2012 05:38 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

you know I just had a conversation the other day about some stuff I used to put on it as a kid where you had to scrap the bumps with a wooded stick first.  Now I just stay inside and avoid it.

Aug 11, 2012 10:03 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Mona,

Great post and some really good information. I did not know that jewelweed grew nearby. You are so right that mother nature tries to protect us somehow? I really liked the video and thanks as I will be singing the song all day.

Aug 13, 2012 02:39 AM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Pam,  seems like nature is always trying to either protect us from nature or nature from us.

William, I don't see much poison oak but the poison ivy more than makes up for it.

Tammy,  I don't stay inside I just try to be careful.

Kristin, glad you enjoyed the video.  It is a tune that's hard to dismiss.

Aug 13, 2012 01:18 PM