Sunday, August 31, 2008

Jewel Weed: The hiker's friend

This is a bloom from a tall and gangly weed that grows all around the hedgerows and borders of the woods here in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The excellent thing about Jewel Weed is that it's the best cure for stinging nettles, poison ivy and a host of other irritating plants. I know it works because I've used it often. The stems should be broken open and the gel applied to the affected area.
Jewel Weed usually always grows around sources of water, and can also be found growing around poison ivy and stinging nettles. A sure test to determine if it's really the plant you seek is to take a leaf and push it gently underwater. The underside of the leaf will turn a liquid silver. (Hence the name!)
Oh, and if you click the link, don't mind the author. I think he's just a horny guy.
Until tomorrow, my friends.

11 comments:

Hilary said...

I don't think I've ever heard of or seen Jewel weed, but that still really good to know.. and possibly plant somewhere. It sounds like quite the cure-all for skin irritations and bites. Lovely shots, Kate.

abb said...

When we were putting an addition on our house a hundred years ago, the Conservation Commissioner told us if we were trying to build a home for the first time on our lot, we wouldn't be allowed because the majority of it was obviously wetlands. I asked how he knew this. He replied, all the jewel weed growing everywhere.

I think the flower is one of the prettiest and your photos of it are great!

And THANK YOU for the poison ivy cure! I didn't know that! My daughter will be thrilled to know - she gets PI just looking at it.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

beautiful flower and interesting uses!

Debra (a/k/a Doris, Mimi) said...

I've never heard of jewel weed, nor have I have seen it. We have several wetland areas around here. I wonder why I haven't noticed it but I'll certainly look for it now that I know what it is. Lovely photos, Kate!

Anonymous said...

I have never seen or heard of this one. It's beautiful for a weed and useful!

Anonymous said...

Wow, never heard of this plant. I did get into sting nettles once. Ouch!

Leslie: said...

That's excellent info for those who like to hike in woodsy areas.
BTW, really loved the cat photos and how you did the photos of George. Daryl told me about that site and I joined up right away. But I haven't tried anything yet. Must give it a go. Hope you're having a great weekend! :D

Mary said...

Well, after what you said, I had to follow that link... and now I have this mental image that just won't leave my mind!!! LOL

Lovely pics!
xoxo,
Mary

Jo said...

I have never heard of Jewel Weed. It looks like a type of lily or even a snapdragon.

When I was a little girl I went for a hike along a river bank. I heard the call of nature and managed to sit in a bed of stinging nettles. Ouch ouch ouch. That's when I learned that calamine lotion was my friend. I wish I had known about Jewel Weed.

Catherine said...

Beautiful captures Country Girl! I've heard of Jewel weed, but wasn't sure what it looked like!
Congrats on the award!:)
Enjoy your day!
Cat

Train Wreck said...

What a strange little flower! I have never heard of it! Pretty though!