Beware the Poisonous Plant Cousins


It was bound to happen, my three year old grandson stumbled upon a poisonous plant while exploring in the bush around the cottage. His skin was red and swollen, as the intense profound and painful itching sensation made him particularly cantankerous. As an avid hiker, I recognized the signs and have experienced the symptoms first hand.

The most common culprits of such as rash could be one of what I like to call the "Three Poisonous Cousins of the bush"; poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. An oily resin called urushiol (u-ROO-she-ol), is saturated within the leaves, stem, and roots of these plants. At least 50% of the population are sensitive and can develop mild rash which requires no medical treatment to severe or widespread rashes that require urgent medical treatment for as long as 3 weeks following contact. Often, the rash resembles a straight line since this is how contact of the plant bushes against the skin but when someone handles a pet or clothing laced with urushiol, the rash exaggerates to all areas of contact and spreads exponentially. The severity of the rash is dependent on the amount of urushiol the individual is exposed to and it can be transferred to other parts of the body indiscreetly by fingertips. The most dangerous type of exposure is when inhalation of smoke into the lungs while burning the plant as part of your eradiation plan.
Leaves of Three - Let Them Be
The first step in avoiding contact with these three cousins is to identify them.
• Poison Ivy generally climbs trees and mimics tree branches as a vine with short rootlets and dark fibres south of the Great Lakes or close to the ground as a small shrub-up to a foot tall, north of the Great Lakes. It is legendary for it's cluster of three almond-shaped leaves that are highly variable; some are hairless while others are slightly hairy amid glossy or dull lustre, some are toothed, smooth-edged or lobed. Distinctively look for an end leaflet that is pointed with a longer stalk than the other two leaflets. This plant grows just about anywhere; open woods, rocky areas, fields, or it may also be in your garden or along your patio walkway. Beware the small, white, and hard drooping clusters of berries. Resilient and tough, winter months merely camouflage its virulent oils leaving an innocent small stem exposed from the ground. The Spring is best time to spot Poison Ivy when the leaves are reddish in colour but take caution its the time when they are at the most potent as well.
• Poison oak is universally found as a shrub with thick and sturdy stems, although it can also emerge as a vine in some areas. The leaves resemble oak leaves, arise in clusters of threes and are usually shiny and green. In the Spring, the leaves are light bright green with white green flowers clustered on the stems. During the Summer months leaves often contain yellow-green, pink, or reddish hues with clusters of small white or tan berries and transform again during the Fall season where the leaves turn russet brown or bright red while the fruit becomes darker.
• Poison Sumac is found in wet areas or marshes and partly-wooded swamps usually on wet ground or standing water as a shrub or small tree, 6-20 feet tall with compound leaves that have 7-13 pointed, smoothed-edged leaflets that distinctively angle slightly upwards from the leaf stem. The stems, twigs and buds are hairless with a dark smooth bark and speckled with dark spots. It's berries are similar to Poison Ivy - small, white, and hard drooping clusters. In the fall the leaves are ecstatically pleasing to the eye with their brilliant red hues but don't be tempted to add them to your Thanksgiving bouquets.
First Aid Homemade Mixtures
If you do happen to come into contact with anyone of these Three Cousins, there are some natural remedies to fight the intense profound and painful itching sensation symptoms. In cases where there is major swelling and sores like blisters; seek medical attention immediately.
There are 4 solutions you can mix together to make a paste and spread it over the affected area(s);
• Vinegar and Baking Soda;
• Cornstarch and Water;
• Salt and Water - this will sting but will relieve the itch;
• Apple cider vinegar and water.
Herbalists and Naturopaths recommend different variety of plants and herbs to help deal with poison ivy or any urushiol exposure.
• Aloe reduces blistering and also accelerates healing of rashes;
• Catnip juice, that can be taken from its leaves, has anti-inflammatory properties;
• Plantain reduces itch and stops the spread of the rash.
• Mix a teaspoon of Goldenseal, in a powdered form, with a pint of water and spread it over the affected area. Other ways to use Goldenseal, drink it in a tea or take it by a capsule.
• Try Jewelweed. Rub it on the affected areas to reduce the itch and dry blisters.
• Spread Oatmeal on affected skin - mixed with boiling water - cooled down to luke warm temperatures is a handy remedy. Soaking in a hot tub of Oatmeal can also be used if most of the body was exposed. To keep the mess to a minimum try putting the Oatmeal in a sock and swirl it around in the tub of water. Leave the coating of Oatmeal on your skin after the bath will ease the symptoms dramatically.
Eradicate Naturally
Poison Ivy is the most common of the three cousins and can be found near or on residential areas on North America. A homemade poison vegetation killer spray that I've used that is safe and effective:
You will need:
• 1 cup salt
• 8 drops liquid detergent
• 1 gallon (4 liters) vinegar
• Large spray bottle
Mix the salt and vinegar in a pot and heat to dissolve the salt. Cool the vinegar, add the detergent, and pour some of the liquid into a large spray bottle. Spray or pour the mixture directly onto the plants. Refill the spray bottle as necessary.
Note: This formula will kill all vegetation, only spray the plants you want to kill. Avoid using near wells -- the salt can leach into your water supply.


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