The Front Porch Swing

[Triple Willow]

Anybody that doesn't get poison ivy should still be careful.  The more times you are exposed to it, the more likely you are to start getting the rash.  I was always the one in my family who worked in it whenever there was some to be dealt with.  However, I became allergic to it, starting about 5 years ago.  So I went nearly 50 years without a problem.  My allergy still isn't as severe as the rest of my family, thankfully.

Sure is strange how alergies to it work like that. Now I just get a mild case of it every few years. Poison ivy is some potent stuff too. You can get it from a shovel or what ever might get the juice on it from the plant and you can get it from burning the plant. It ought to be a weapon used by the military. lol

 

[BCMaraniac]

Sure is strange how alergies to it work like that. Now I just get a mild case of it every few years. Poison ivy is some potent stuff too. You can get it from a shovel or what ever might get the juice on it from the plant and you can get it from burning the plant. It ought to be a weapon used by the military. lol

Well, allergens can work in either directions. Allergy shots that are given are small amounts of the offending agent to desensitize the immune system. The body can also sensitize to an allergen by repeated exposure resulting the allergic reaction.

You can even get poison ivy from pet fur if they have rubbed against the plant. One of the most dangerous things about poison ivy is the burning of it....because it is inhaled and the reaction takes place inside the bronchial tubes and the lungs themselves......it can be fatal if not treated promptly. You should NEVER burn poison ivy.

 

[bruceha2000]

DH (now I know what that means I can use it in a sentence) is the cook in the family. I was a vegetarian when he married me 32 years ago, so if he wanted meat at dinner he learned to cook it himself. Now he makes the most tender steaks, perfectly breaded and fried fish, seared but still pink lamb chops, really spicy chicken curry, and I make salads! Needless to say I'm not a vegetarian anymore. And even I can roast a decent chicken (butter butter and more butter) and make a really good autumn root veg and beef stew with dumplings. Anybody can cook I think if they use what's local natural and seasonal and treat it with respect, not boil it to mush or fry it to leather!

Stop it, STOP IT!!!! (What is your address??

)

Does anybody have a good cure for those little ants that invade your kitchen? They found mine this morning.

My vegetarian, insect phobic, older daughter wants them taken outside. Same with spiders, she should be a Jain. Prior to my younger daughter heading off to college last fall, it was not unusual to hear "ANT PATROL!". I do not know why she was willing to be the shuttle bus for ants (and spiders). I figure they just make a round trip after telling all the other ants what a great place it is. Of course if she doesn't know I've seen one, they don't get the chance.

More helpful (I hope): http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/blogs/13-natural-remedies-for-the-ant-invasion

No poison ivy? That's un-American! lol

Some 30ish years ago I was sitting on the ground in the back yard working on a boat. Some friends came by and one asked if I was allergic to poison ivy. I said "I have no idea". He said "well, you are sitting in it". Fortunately didn't have a reaction. Being from So. Cal originally, I only knew about poison oak. Now I know what poison ivy looks like and avoid it. And, as of a couple of years ago when we bought the "farm", I have "discovered" stinging nettle. Barely brushed it with my little finger, thought nothing of it. Took nearly 24 hours before my finger stopped tingling. **** stuff roots deep and propagates with runners; b...h to get rid of. Presumably has medicinal purposes when prepared properly.

Anybody that doesn't get poison ivy should still be careful. The more times you are exposed to it, the more likely you are to start getting the rash.

Yep, and sometimes the "always been immune" get whacked REALLY hard when their immune system fails on this one.

Bruce

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Some 30ish years ago I was sitting on the ground in the back yard working on a boat. Some friends came by and one asked if I was allergic to poison ivy. I said "I have no idea". He said "well, you are sitting in it". Fortunately didn't have a reaction. Being from So. Cal originally, I only knew about poison oak. Now I know what poison ivy looks like and avoid it. And, as of a couple of years ago when we bought the "farm", I have "discovered" stinging nettle. Barely brushed it with my little finger, thought nothing of it. Took nearly 24 hours before my finger stopped tingling. **** stuff roots deep and propagates with runners; b...h to get rid of. Presumably has medicinal purposes when prepared properly.

Bruce

There are people who eat Nettles like salad, though I understand you have to do it right. We do have lots of nettles here. I don't eat them.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

The remedy for nettle sting is supposed to be the juice from a burdock plant. The two plants usually grow close to each other, which is handy.

I just read a book about Scottish crofters that describes how they always threw a handful of nettles in the stew or soup, for medicinal effects, and I guess boiling takes away the stinging properties. I'm not recommending it, just saying I read it.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Info page on nettles for food ... http://www.richsoil.com/nettles.jsp

 

[bruceha2000]

The remedy for nettle sting is supposed to be the juice from a burdock plant. The two plants usually grow close to each other, which is handy.

Indeed, I have lots of both! Neither pulls out easily. Nice to know I can rush to the burdock if I get "nettled" again.

Bruce

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Info page on nettles for food ... http://www.richsoil.com/nettles.jsp

Really neat videos! Thanks!

 

[Triple Willow]

Well, allergens can work in either directions.  Allergy shots that are given are small amounts of the offending agent to desensitize the immune system.  The body can also sensitize to an allergen by repeated exposure resulting the allergic reaction.

You can even get poison ivy from pet fur if they have rubbed against the plant.  One of the most dangerous things about poison ivy is the burning of it....because it is inhaled and the reaction takes place inside the bronchial tubes and the lungs themselves......it can be fatal if not treated promptly.  You should NEVER burn poison ivy.

The thought of inhaling it is scary!

 

[Triple Willow]

Stop it, STOP IT!!!! (What is your address?? )

My vegetarian, insect phobic, older daughter wants them taken outside. Same with spiders, she should be a Jain. Prior to my younger daughter heading off to college last fall, it was not unusual to hear "ANT PATROL!". I do not know why she was willing to be the shuttle bus for ants (and spiders). I figure they just make a round trip after telling all the other ants what a great place it is. Of course if she doesn't know I've seen one, they don't get the chance.
Reminds me of when I was in college. I blew an ant off a desk and somebody thought I was so cruel. Paleeze! LOL

More helpful (I hope): http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/blogs/13-natural-remedies-for-the-ant-invasion
Thanks!

Some 30ish years ago I was sitting on the ground in the back yard working on a boat. Some friends came by and one asked if I was allergic to poison ivy. I said "I have no idea". He said "well, you are sitting in it". Fortunately didn't have a reaction. Being from So. Cal originally, I only knew about poison oak. Now I know what poison ivy looks like and avoid it.
When I was a kid I "thought" Virginia Creeper wass Poison Ivy. I stayed away from the creeper and probably wallowed in the ivy - no wonder I had it all the time! LOL

And, as of a couple of years ago when we bought the "farm", I have "discovered" stinging nettle. Barely brushed it with my little finger, thought nothing of it. Took nearly 24 hours before my finger stopped tingling. **** stuff roots deep and propagates with runners; b...h to get rid of. Presumably has medicinal purposes when prepared properly.
I have been pulling up weeds and grabbed a handful of nettles. Ouch! lol But I must not be alergic to it because it didn't hurt long.

Yep, and sometimes the "always been immune" get whacked REALLY hard when their immune system fails on this one.

Bruce