Written by Corinna Wood

For those of us who love green, growing things, it pays to know your neighbors. And in our area, one of the most important wild plants to recognize is Poison Ivy. Whether she’s moved in down the road or right in your own backyard, rest assured, she’s out there.

A nature-loving woman I know likes to tell the story of a romantic interlude from her past. She and her paramour had wandered off one night to the edge of her flowerbeds to enjoy some stargazing. It was a warm night in early spring and they settled down to appreciate the celestial display.

Two days later, however, she realized that she had taken away more than fond memories from her evening of contemplating the heavens. A constellation of itchy, burning bumps had appeared across her back, arms and legs.

Yes. Poison Ivy. What two words in the English language can elicit such an immediate, itchy response (except, perhaps, tax audit)? Anyone who plays in the outdoors, or tends a garden, will, sooner or later, encounter this unobtrusive, yet unforgettable vine. So in the case of Poison Ivy, forewarned is forearmed.

Poison Ivy (Rhus toxicodendron), and her cousin, Poison Oak (Rhus toxicarium) both secrete oils that contain urushiol, a toxin that produces contact dermatitis – in lay terms, a nasty, allergic rash.

So it’s best not to become intimate with this lady. In our region, Poison Ivy is the one to be on the lookout for. Identification is key. The first clue is the three-leafed structure. To further distinguish it from other three-leaved plants, look for an extended stem on the center leaf, while the two opposing lower leaves connect directly to the stem.

The leaves themselves have an undulating, scalloped edge that sometimes resembles a mitten.  But the edge of the leaf is not serrated, or saw-toothed, like the three-leaved plants in the Rubus genus (including wild raspberries and blackberries).

In early spring, Poison Ivy may have shiny leaves and a reddish hue. But although the stems may retain some color as the plant matures, the leaves will soon turn a rather pedestrian green shade that acts as camouflage among the surrounding vegetation. So look for the pattern and shape of the leaves – not its shininess or color.

The size of the leaves and growth patterns can also vary widely. She takes many forms – a spreading ground cover, a small bush or a hairy, snaking vine that climbs up trees.

The entire plant is toxic – leaves, stems and roots. In the case of my astronomer friend, it was too early in the season for the telltale leaves to give her warning. The bare stems were the culprits. Also, do not touch any hairy vines growing up trees – the hairy stems themselves carry the toxic oils as well.

Poison Ivy loves to intermingle with other plants and usually appears in areas that have been disturbed by human intervention, frequently at the edges of pathways, cleared fields and building sites.

In this way, she actually has a role in the ecosystem as an earth-healing plant, defending her little patch of ground from further human intrusion. She covers Mother Earth’s skin – the topsoil – allowing it to recover and renew itself.

Animals are generally immune to her irritating oils, although they can carry them on their fur and innocently share them with you. Intrepid children may wander into her midst unawares (until they start to scratch within a day or so).

So, if you live or play in an area where Poison Ivy is abundant, it’s important to know the “Poison Ivy status” of anyone or anything you may snuggle.  Always assume the worst and send them off to the showers!

Unfortunately, we often tangle with this nemesis in places where we are without the benefit of running water.

Fortunately, Mother Earth loves balance and often offers some Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis, I. pallida, and other similar species), a healing plant ally, near stands of Poison Ivy.

Jewelweed’ plump, juicy stems are bright green, and so watery-looking that the whole plant is somewhat translucent. Her leaves are oval, with a gently scalloped edge and in summer she exhibits an exquisite, tubular yellow-orange flower, which resembles a golden cornucopia.

Jewelweed is also known as “˜Touch-me-not” because at the slightest jostling her seed pods will spring open and spray seeds up to four feet in the air, an effect that delights children.

Jewelweed Ice Cubes The medicinal properties of Jewelweed extract best into a water-based solution, so the easiest way to preserve the benefits of this plant is by freezing the Jewelweed broth. Harvest Jewelweed plants in midsummer, when they are in their early to peak flowering stage. Use the whole top half of the plant, including leaves, stalks, and flowers. Fold the stalks with leaves and flowers into a pot, cover them with water and simmer for approximately 20 minutes, until the liquid turns dark orange. Strain the liquid, and apply the broth directly to the affected area Pour the remainder of the liquid into ice trays, and set them in the freezer. The next day, remove the ice cubes from the tray, place in a clearly marked bag.  Rest assured that you have a soothing, cooling Jewelweed preparation for topical use on hand year-round!

Splitting the succulent stem and rubbing the watery juice onto the skin is an old folk remedy to prevent or minimize an outbreak of Poison Ivy. Take a good supply home with you as well, since Jewelweed is also useful for treating and reducing the severity of the irritation and inflammation should a rash develop.

It’s good to keep some Jewelweed extraction (see sidebar) on hand even in winter when Poison Ivy is dormant, but one can still meet up with urushiol oil residue on firewood.

Given Poison Ivy’s ubiquitous presence, you may choose to deal with her by building up some immunity to her “charms”.  So many people have benefited from Rhus Tox, a commercial homeopathic preparation, that it is available not only in health food stores, but also most mainstream pharmacies today.  Homeopathic preparations are made by repeatedly diluting the physical properties, which is said to increase the energetic properties.

Some brave individuals, who have the mettle for a more daring approach, go to the lady herself – engaging the energy directly. Beginning with the tiny, first growth leaves in the early spring, they harvest and swallow a thumbnail sized piece of leaf (wearing gloves, of course).  They say that repeating this procedure every 3 weeks builds up their immunity to the misery of Poison Ivy.

Although I do know people who have found this method to be quite effective, I cannot recommend it  It must be utilized with great caution and at your own risk. Many say that this controversial method risks severe, even fatal, allergic reactions.

In the 1960′s and 1970′s, the late Eueull Gibbons, author of Stalking the Wild Asparagus, had an ongoing debate with Kingsbury, author of Poisonous Plants in the U.S. and Canada, over this very issue.  The debate began with Kingsbury criticizing Gibbons for sharing his own success story of eating poison ivy leaves, although Gibbons wrote clearly that “it was not a safe or settled scientific practice” (see Mother Earth News, issue # 15, May/June 1972).

It has also been suggested that ingesting the milk of animals who have grazed on Poison Ivy will have the same result. Goats are particularly fond of her. Of course this demands that you know your goat and where it dines.

Awareness is the key to co-existing with Miss Ivy. Bear her in mind whenever you commune with nature or don your gardening gloves and maintain a respectful distance. Deal with any close encounters as quickly as possible. As my friend learned: don’t be so caught up in what’s going on over your head that you forget what’s under your feet.

Red Moon Herbs is dedicated to:
* Using Local and Abundant plants
* Working with Fresh, Vibrant plants
* Making Small Batches, the Wise Woman Way.

For more good information “like” us on Facebook and visit us at www.RedMoonHerbs.com

Most women can feel it coming on – the dark time. Our partners may comment that we don’t seem to want their company or anyone else’s for that matter. We get caught up in our emotions  – we’re not usual selves. We’re hypersensitive. We weep, and we bleed.

Modern society tries to minimize this experience. Women attempt to suppress the wave of feelings that surge to the surface, to put on a happy face and push through. But stoic as we may be, we’re often forced to acknowledge the power of our bodies and our emotions. Cramps, headaches and fatigue drive us to our beds or into the bath, soaking away our woes.

You would think we could take a hint; our bodies and spirits are crying out for sanctuary and succor. Somehow, we’ve come to view menstruation as an aberration rather than a grace.

Yet the ancient wisdom, that many women today are rediscovering, is that the Moontime is when the veils between the worlds are at their thinnest, when we as women have a unique window into our own souls, our inner guidance, our divine wisdom. The physical and emotional intensity of this time is an opportunity for healing and release–when we nourish ourselves, body and soul, and allow all of who we are.

During menstruation when our emotions and perceptions are heightened, there is a primal urge to remove ourselves from the daily routine and allow these feelings to move through our bodies and our spirits. We crave the Moon Lodge.

In societies where the natural order of things is revered, the Moon Lodge offered a retreat – a cradle to receive us when we felt most vulnerable, when the veil between our inner and outer worlds was thin. Women would gather there during their menses, but not as an exile imposed upon the “unclean”. The Moon Lodge offered a sacred space to be immersed in reflection, to be still and truly be in our bodies.

These days, our busy lives don’t always afford us the option of leaving our responsibilities behind for a week, but we can honor this need by taking a Moon Day (or even an hour!), either just before our bleeding begins or at its height (usually the second day). Many women find taking a Moon Day does wonders to prevent menstrual woes & pains -when we’re already in the Moon Lodge, our bodies don’t need to yell so loudly to call us back there!

The key to creating a healthy, embracing approach to our life-long, lunar dance is to treat it, and ourselves, with the respect and nurturing that we extend to all those we care for. Nourish your body, nourish your soul, and you will be well prepared to nourish others.

Portions reprinted from:
Nourishing Body & Soul: Wise Women Ways for Moontime & Menopause by Corinna Wood
First printed in New Life Journal, August 2007

For more good information “like” us on Facebook and visit us at www.RedMoonHerbs.com

by Nancy & Michael Phillips

Some herbalists will request that a particular herb be harvested according to the waxing or waning moon. Folklore holds that above ground vitality is enhanced by an increasing moon-drawn up by the tidal pull, if you will-but root energy centers best when the moon is on the wane.

We always wait to harvest echinacea roots until just before the new moons of September and October. Similarly, above ground crops planted in the first and second quarters of the moon are said to do better, while seeds of all plants that bear food or medicine below ground planted in the third and fourth quarters of the moon are said to do better.

Increasing our awareness of plant energies from a planetary perspective makes intuitive sense to us. Still, aerial plants reach an optimal point of harvest that may not wait for the seemingly apt advice of a waxing moon. The biodynamic planting calendar, Stella Natura, put out by the Kimberton Hills community in Pennsylvania, clearly shows which days are best for working with leaf, fruit, flower, and root from a slightly broader perspective. Zodiac influences are cross-referenced with the position of the moon. We try to choose a leaf day in harvesting lemon balm, a flower day for adding to a St. John’s wort oil infusion, a root day for planting elecampane. The weather-and our own busy lives-needs to be in accord with these intentions as well.

Conscious harvesting uses the moon and seasons as guidelines, but the overriding rule of thumb is to use our intuition and connection to the plants to determine when each plant is at its prime-when it is full of life force and vibrancy. This moon chat would not be complete without mention of nighttime magic: Don’t forego spending time in your gardens or walking in the woods at night. All of us-plant, human, animal, fairy-feel the pull of the moon and the aura of the stars. Lunar constituents will really give the rational medicos something to think about!

It is all part of the Wise Woman Way.

 

For more information, please visit Nancy and Michael Phillips, publishers of The Village Herbalist, at HerbsandApples.com.

Red Moon Herbs is dedicated to:
* Using Local and Abundant plants
* Working with Fresh, Vibrant plants
* Making Small Batches, the Wise Woman Way.

For more information or to order herbal products visit www.RedMoonHerbs.com

To help feed the hungry bellies at the Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference, we have called in some of Asheville’s best known and most loved food vendors to serve up some of their specialties! We are so excited about the variety of their offerings and can’t wait to try a little of everything.

The food vendors will be offering meals for sale Friday lunch to Sunday lunch, and all the meals and snack times in between. We’re excited to have so many food choices at this year’s Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference

THIS YEAR’S FOOD VENDORS INCLUDE . . .

The Sweet Monkey Bakery:

The Sweet Monkey has been filling the bellies of the Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference participants for the past 7 years! Their treats, coffee, and chocolate bring smiles to many faces, while the options for hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners keep women coming back again and again. They have an assortment of vegan, vegetarian, and meat lovers soups, as well as an India Night dinner with homemade coconut curry and pumpkin pancakes. They make their food by hand and with love. If there are people to feed and fun to be had, count The Sweet Monkey in!

 

Veggie Love:

Veggie Love serves a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free dishes, in addition to a special selection of raw entrees and snacks. Using local and organic ingredients whenever possible, they have a 90% Organic Policy and seek to serve high-quality and delicious vegetarian food throughout the weekend. Veggie Love can accommodate any diet, so don’t be bashful ~ tell them what you need!

 

 

Gypsy Queen Cuisine:

Your weekend source for delicious Lebanese Food is at the Gypsy Queen Cuisine. They use local and organic meats and produce, and everything is made fresh with no additives. Items you will find on the menu: Falafels (their specialty), Chicken and Lamb Shawarmas (their version of gyro), Hommus, Baba Ghanouj, Tabouli, and whatever is in season that they get inspired to cook. For drinks, enjoy lavender infused lemonade, date and carob juice, or mint tea.

 

 

The Roadrunner:

Say hello to The Roadrunner, aka the Pink Taco Truck, when you’re in the mood for some Southwestern cuisine with a Native American twist. She’ll be serving breakfast burritos and tacos in the morning, and a more diverse menu for lunch and dinners, including traditional Navajo tacos, tamales, traditional tacos, a few appetizers, and a Jamaica (hibiscus flower) spritzer or tea. Enjoy delicious meals made with local hormone-free meats and as much local produce as available.

 

 

We hope the variety helps meet your food needs and preferences. With great gratitude for all the earth provides as nourishment – Bon Appetit!

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We do have a limited number of Nourishing Traditions Meal Tickets for sale: a farm-fresh, local, seasonal menu with a focus on meat, dairy, and veggies. The cost for 6 meals (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch) is $58 for adults and $28 for children (ages 2-10). Click here for the menu (subject to change). You will have the option to add the meal ticket to your online registration, while supplies last.  (Supplies are limited!)