Some folks in the area spray every year, but it still comes back. I’ve heard digging it completely, roots and all, is the only way to get rid of it. Since there are a couple acres of it, it’s not something I’ll get around to doing anytime soon. Even spraying would be too much work, not that I ever spray anything! I don’t mind it really; not that I like it, but it does offer some protection on the borders of our property. I respect it and I do stay out of it!

 The botanical name for Poison Ivy is Toxicodendron radicans, also known as Rhus toxicodendron and Rhus radicans. 

 Poison Ivy displays three leaves, in an alternate leaf arrangement. The leaves are generally a glossy green and smooth and some leaves show a notch on one side giving the appearance of a mitten. The stems are sometimes red and the leaves will turn red in the fall. Sometimes poison ivy will vine up into the trees. There are a number of other plants that fit this description so avoid them if you are unsure.

Poison Ivy produces Urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash (urushiol-induced contact dermatitis). Urushiol oil binds to the skin on contact, where it causes severe itching that develops into reddish colored rash and blistering.

The fluids released by itching blisters do not spread the poison.  If a rash appears to be spreading, more than likely some areas received more of the poison and reacted sooner than others.   The oozing blisters result from our own immune system releasing fluid through the skin. If the skin is cooled, such as washing in cold water, the vessels constrict.

Urushiol can remain active for several years, so handling dead leaves or vines can still cause a reaction. The oils can also be transmitted on an animal’s fur and can cause the rash if it comes into contact with the skin.  Clothing, tools, and other objects that have been exposed to the oil should be washed to prevent further transmission..and be sure to give your dog a bath too!

One thing you should NEVER do is burn poison ivy because the oils go into the smoke and a rash can occur on the lining of the lungs, causing extreme pain and possibly fatal respiratory difficulty.  If poison ivy is eaten, the digestive tract, airway, kidneys or other organs can be damaged.  A poison ivy rash can last anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on severity and treatment. In rare cases, poison ivy reactions may require hospitalization.

If you think you’ve had contact with poison ivy, immediately wash those areas of the skin. Most of the oil is absorbed into the skin in the first 30 minutes. Sometimes the rash can be completely avoided by washing with plenty of cold water within the first 10 or 15 minutes. Washing with Fels Naptha soap and leaving the lather on to dry was my Grandma’s poison ivy treatment. Try not to scratch the rash, which is easier said than done. Also keep your fingernails short to keep from breaking open the blisters and spreading bacteria.

Apply wet compresses to soak the area, use Calamine lotion or antihistamines to help relieve symptoms.

Natural remedies such as the juice from Jewelweed and Chickweed can be applied to the blisters or made into a poultice or salve to alleviate itching and symptoms. Also simply mixing oatmeal, baking soda, with a little water and applying as a paste and left to dry is recommended by dermatologists for the treatment of poison ivy.

If you are unsure whether you have poison ivy nearby, check out the video below. If you are still not sure, remember, ‘Leaves of three, let it be.’

A night-blooming garden, referred to as a Moon garden, brings a magical concept in garden design. In the past, many gardens were created to be enjoyed by the light of the moon. These gardens were planted with flowers and foliage that reflect the moonlight, were usually scented, and perfect for evening walks or meditation.

In planting a Moon Garden, consider the lighting of the location so that trees or buildings don’t block the moonlight from your garden. Plant your garden in an area that’s easy and convenient to enjoy, and be sure to provide chairs or benches. A pond or a fountain adds the element of water for an even more relaxing experience.

You can add large quartz crystals, other white or silver stones, shells, coral, mirrors, statues, and other white or shiny objects to reflect moonlight.

Take into consideration how large your garden will be. If it’s a small moon garden, then you might consider putting in smaller plants that won’t get too big. If you have enough space, go ahead and put in some larger ones, and spacing them as you would any other garden.

If something gets too big, I simply move it. If a plant is too small and crowded by others, I’ll move it somewhere else. Don’t be afraid to move things around; gardening is about change.

Consider also the type of plants and where you are planting them in relation to the full sun during the day. Some may not be able to tolerate the direct sunlight.

Plants that bloom during different times over the season is also a good plan so you’ll always have something in bloom.

You’ll want your moon garden to be fragrant with night blooming plants, as well as visually beautiful under the moonlight. It’s surprising how many night-blooming plants there are to choose from.

Petunias open during the day, but they don’t release their scent until evening.

Four O’Clocks have a wonderful scent and bloom at night.

Nicotiana (flowering tobacco) has no scent during the day, but a delightful sweet scent at night.

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is a night-bloomer and releases a light lemon scent, but during the day the white flowers are tightly shut (moonflowers are poisonous if eaten so take care if children or pets will be near the plant).

Night Gladiolas’ scent is most potent at night.

Evening Primrose is a fast spreading perennial with pinkish-white flowers that open at dusk and release a sweet aroma.

Night Phlox open at dusk and have a fragrance like honey or vanilla.

Angel’s Trumpet is an annual vine with trumpet-shaped white flowers that bloom at night.
There are even some Daylilies that bloom at night; "Ice Dancer", "Nautical Nights" or "Alaskan Midnight" are excellent daylilies for a moon garden.

Sweet Bay tree and climbing Hydrangea also make nice additions to a moon garden.

White flowers and foliage seem to glow in the moonlight. You might want to add some silver or white plants and herbs to your Moon Garden, such as Dusty Millers, Silver Thyme, Artemisia, Lambs Ears, Silver Sage, Snowdrops, White Roses, White Tulips, White Bellflower, Shasta Daisies, English Lavender, Eucalyptus, Feverfew, variegated Hostas, or other plants with variegations or stripes. Also look for plants with unusual textures  such as Horehound.

Most nurseries and garden centers will help you find the perfect plants for your moon garden.

Good luck on your journey creating your moon garden!

Lady Slippers and Maidenhairs sounds like a Cinderella story or something out of Medieval times, and even though it’s 2009, in the woods, there is no time. It could have been any time period, but it was just last week at Living Trails Botanical Sanctuary, when our group of Master Herbalist students, teacher, and land steward manager, hiked down the trail with stakes, cameras, and field guides in hand.

Into the woods we went, ready to identify and stake some of the medicinal and at risk plants. It’s so amazing to me that these little ‘healers’ are so abundant!

The highlight of my day was finding the Pink Lady Slippers! I had never seen them in the wild; only in botanical gardens or in pictures! They were so abundant here, hugged by hundreds of Starflowers, as if they were there to protect them. It was quite magical with all the ‘stars’ and little ‘moccasins’ covering the ground everywhere we looked!

We learned that Lady Slippers are members of the Orchid family and natives used their roots for medicinal purposes; as a sedative, for hysteria, nervous depression, insomnia, and to relieve pain…basically, the same uses as the prescription drug ‘Paxil’.

Pink Lady Slipper and StarflowersLady Slippers are generally found in acid soils near Pine trees and these orchids rely on a type of fungus present in the soil for their growth. Even though they seem abundant here, lady slippers are on the ‘At Risk’ plants list and therefore harvesting is prohibited.

The Ojibwa tell a story of the moccasin flower, this beautiful woodland flower called ‘Lady Slipper’. According to legend, because of a devastating illness in her settlement, a brave young girl made a journey to a neighboring tribe to bring back some healing herbs. As she was making the trip back, a snowstorm set it. She trudged through the icy terrain, eventually losing her moccasins. She continued walking barefoot, trailing bloody footprints all the way back home. The following spring she returned back to look for her moccasins, but found moccasin-shaped Lady Slippers where her blood had settled into the ground. Pink Lady Slipper is a reminder of her bravery and how she saved her village.

False Lily of the ValleyAmong the Pink Lady Slippers and Starflowers are False Lily of the Valley (I don’t understand this ‘false’ thing), as well as several varieties of ferns, including Maidenhair.

Maidenhair FernThe Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Capillus-Veneris,L) is a perennial found in deep woods in moist, rich soil. It’s very delicate and graceful with a high slender black stalk. The leaves were used in teas or infusions for coughs, congestion, asthma, pleurisy, and flu.

For a closer look at Maidenhair Ferns check out this short video! Thank you Judy and Elisa for assisting!

We could do this more often! 

There are over 1,000 varieties of Lilacs, coming in several colors, with the most popular being the color lilac and purple. The very common traditional Lilac is called Syringa vulgaris and is the first one to bloom. It's nice to have a variety of lilacs blooming at different times. A beautiful species that blooms in late spring is a Korean Dwarf Lilac called Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'.

Lilacs have been one of my favorite flowering shrubs since I was a child. I remember the big lilac bushes in my grandparent’s back yard on both sides of the swing set. To this day, when I see and smell lilacs, it always triggers those memories.

Lilac essential oil is very relaxing, somewhat similar to Lavender. I sometimes infuse lilac flowers into almond oil for a naturally scented oil in skincare and soap.

'Sensation'Lilac Flower Essence: the color pink and rose quartz are related to the heart, and Lilac essence is often said to align the chakras. One of the earliest spring blooming plants, the lilac flower is associated with birth and mother/child nurturing, a nice essence for both expectant and new mothers. May Day and Mother's Day always came during the lilac bloom and reminds us that we should celebrate our love for our mothers.

Lilac flower essence is a mood elevator, brightening your spirit and awakening your psyche. This flower essence helps to align the chakras and assists kundalini energies.

For those who nostalgically cling to the past, Lilac helps us to let go. Use Lilac essence for forgiveness, and also for helping gardeners to connect with their hearts in their gardens.

Lilacs when cut are prone to wilting very quickly unless you cut away all the leaves, separating from the flowers and harden the stems in hot water. Then neither will wilt as quickly.

I sometimes cut a few to bring inside, but much prefer leaving them on the bushes so they last longer.

In the last few days I’ve been noticing new buds and flowers opening almost right before my very eyes! I check them daily on my routine visits to the pasture and garden. It seems slow this year, with cooler temps and a lack of rain, but everybody says that. Once we did finally get a few days of rain, followed by some sunshine, nature started bursting with life.

The Flowering Crab has become a vibrant splash of color these last couple of days. In the picture above, notice the deep red buds yet to be opened.

As I was getting the vegetable garden prepared, I noticed the new spears of Asparagus pushing up through the grass. Although Asparagus isn't a flower, I included it here. It was a little soon to pick, but in the right conditions (lots of rain and then sun) they can grow up to 10 inches in one day.

I now have enough Asparagus for my first meal, and soon I’ll be freezing lots. Asparagus is a medicinal food designed to be eaten in spring. See more about Asparagus here.

The pink Tulips are in bloom, but the numbers are fewer this year, possibly due to squirrels.

As I move along the flower beds, the plants are now full- leafed and popping with flower buds and petals.

The intense purple miniature Irises are just about finished blooming now, and now replaced by a traditional yellow Iris.

On the shady side,  Rhododendrons and Lily of the Valley. They don’t last too long and I managed to snap this while they are still looking good.

The Orchard is a delight as Plum blossoms started opening a few days ago. The Apple blossoms are transitioning from the red bud stage, exposing their soft pink and white petals.

Last but not least, the Lilacs are starting to open. Soon the fragrance will become intoxicating as I start cutting some for inside. The smell of Lilacs reminds me of my grandma’s back yard when I was a kid.

 How appropriate to have so many flowers all blooming at the same time on Mother’s Day.

More blossoms coming soon....

'Go Green' is all the buzz today; commonly seeing people shopping with their own recycled bags. It's a great idea and I'm sure it cuts down on the plastic in the landfills.

But going green means more than shopping bags and recycling. It's also about our food, how it's grown, where it comes from, how it's processed, how it gets here, etc.

I think most people realize that eating commercially processed, pesticide laced and preservative saturated food isn’t at all healthy and that eating organic is a much better choice.

Even Michelle Obama has set a good example by planting the first vegetable garden on White House grounds since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II.

There are many Bed and Breakfasts, Restaurants, and Inns across the country that are simply growing herbs in their own organic gardens or buying them locally from organic growers.  There are subscription organic farms where you pay a membership and receive vegetables every week (whatever is in season), as well as farms that sell organically raised meat and fish. In some cases you can buy a membership (share) to an organic dairy farm, and then you’re allowed to purchase organic raw milk and cream, and other dairy products.

Of course, growing your own vegetables and fruits organically is nutritious, delicious, and rewarding, but not everyone has the space, the time, or the desire to grow their own food. You can shop at farmers markets and vegetable stands, and we’re also seeing well-stocked organic food sections in many of the larger grocery stores.

By buying organically grown local food, we are not only eating better, we’re bringing business to our local community. There is much less waste when you grow your own food, considering all the plastic packaging, and shipping on refrigerated trucks that burn thousands of gallons of fuel to transport it.

When you grow or buy local produce, the waste just goes in the compost pile! There is no plastic to recycle or throw out.

According to Barbara and Camille Kingsolver and Steven Hopp’s book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, “If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week.”

Won’t you take the next step and eat more locally grown organic food?

Garlic is one of my favorite medicinal foods, and although I do prefer it sauteed or roasted, raw garlic has the most potent medicinal properties.

Garlic (Allium Sativum) is grown all over the world and is considered by herbalists to be one of the most useful herbs for medicinal purposes. Garlic’s common name describes its leaves and use from Anglo-Saxon gar (lance) and leac (leek or pot-herb). Garlic has been used as a food and medicine since ancient times. It's a member of the lily family, a perennial plant that's cultivated worldwide. The garlic bulb is composed of individual cloves enclosed in a white skin.  

The Greek historian Herodotus (484-425 B.C.) reported that inscriptions on an Egyptian pyramid recorded the quantities of garlic consumed by the laborers. An Egyptian medical papyrus dating from about 1550 B.C. mentions garlic as an effective remedy for many ailments. Cloves of garlic were found in Egyptian burial sites, including the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Because they consumed so much garlic, Ancient Egyptians were often referred to as 'the stinky ones'.

In China it was traditionally used for fevers, dysentery, and internal parasites.

In 1721 during a widespread plague in Marseilles, four condemned criminals were recruited to bury the dead. The gravediggers proved to be immune to the disease. They drank a concoction of macerated garlic in wine, which came to be known as vinaigre des quatre voleurs (four thieves’’ vinegar) and is still available in France today. Its antibacterial activity was first recognized in an 1858 study by the French microbiologist Louis Pasteur.

During both World Wars, garlic was applied to wounds to prevent septic poisoning and gangrene. It has also been successfully used to control diarrhea, whooping cough, pulmonary TB, diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis.

There have been more than 2500 credible scientific studies and well-documented health benefits. These include reducing cholesterol & triglycerides in the blood, while increasing high-density lipoproteins, (good cholesterol), lowering blood pressure, improving circulation, preventing yeast infections, cancers, colds, and flu. It is effective against many fungal infections and trichomonas, to expel worms, and use in controlling mild diabetes. I give my horses granulated garlic in summer to deter flies and mosquitos and to boost their immune system.

Studies have shown that garlic significantly decreases the incidence of cancer, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, among those who consume it regularly.

Eating a clove of garlic each day for several months may have a significant blood thinning effect. Herbalists consider garlic to be a first-rate digestive tonic, and also to treat toothache, earache, coughs, and colds.

Some cases of allergic reactions have been reported. Some individuals may experience heartburn or flatulence. People with ulcers or gastrointestinal problems should not eat excessive amounts of garlic.

Other side effects of consuming garlic include a reduction in clotting time of blood and use of this herb can interfere with those using anticoagulant medications or aspirin therapy. Diabetics should be aware that consuming large doses of garlic, in pill form or capsules can interfere with insulin therapy in the long term. Always consult a medical professional if you are on medications or have concerns.

Asparagus, (Asparagus Officinalis), is a perennial and almost leafless plant of the Lily family.

Spears of asparagus emerge in early spring and summer. Asparagus comes in two sexes; the females grow plumper stalks. The male flowers contain a rudimentary pistil, and the female flower has stamens. Asparagus has been reported as an aphrodisiac based on the ‘Law of Similarity’, where the shape of an object dictates its properties (Austparagus, 2005) It not only looks like an aphrodisiac, it is an aphrodisiac. It contains asparagine and aspartic acid, an amino acid that neutralizes excess amounts of ammonia which make us tired and sexually uninterested.

Asparagus is an ancient vegetable and was cultivated as early as 200 B.C. Asparagus was used in China as a cooling remedy to treat bronchitis, lung congestion and tuberculosis, and is said to curb aggression in women and improve menstrual problems.

I'ts high in glutathione, an anticarcinogen and has been reported by the U.S. National Cancer Institute that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is the body’s most potent anticarcinogen and antioxidant.

It also contains Rutin, which protects small blood vessels and may protect against radiation. It brings on a diuretic effect and is used in treatment of water retention caused by heart failure or PMS. It is used to treat high blood pressure and doctors commonly prescribe drugs which are extracted from asparagus.

Asparagus was known to help acidity in the stomach caused by excessive sweets or refined toxic foods. In ancient Greece it was prescribed for ailments of the kidneys, as well as blemished skin and obesity.

In Ayurvedic medicine, asparagus is used for indigestion, and to relieve kidney and bladder problems, rheumatism, gout, menstrual inflammation, and for dissolving kidney stones.

In Folk medicine, asparagus has been used to restore failing eyesight, toothaches, relieving pain caused by bee stings.

  It is an excellent source of folic acid (good addition in diet during pregnancy). It's rich in potassium which is essential to maintain good water balance in the body. It is also an excellent source of the B vitamin, Folate.

Asparagus has also been used for migraines, as well as high blood pressure. Since asparagus is very rich in glutathione, it has been helpful in preventing cataracts.

Asparagus is a valuable food, high in folacin, which aids in blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease. It contains proteins, called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth, thus, it being a cell growth ‘normalizer’. That accounts for its action on cancer, which was one of the discoveries of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S.

The American Herbal Products Association has given Asparagus a class one rating, which means it can be safely consumed in appropriate levels. However, it may cause allergic skin reactions. As of this writing, there are no known drug reactions with asparagus vegetable or the root. Always make sure to consult a licensed health care provider before taking any herbal remedy or dietary supplement you are not sure about.

Cayenne, or Capsicum Annuum, is the pungent dried fruit of a species of the nightshade family that also produces potatoes, eggplant, paprika, bell, and jalapeno peppers. Cayenne peppers are the fruit of shrubs in the Capsicum genus.

Cayenne is easy to grow, and is an ideal container plant, producing brilliantly colored, quite hot peppers that mature in 70 to 80 days. Cayenne grows best in moist, fertile soil in full sun, but I have sandy soil and the peppers do well here too, as long they get plenty of water.

One cayenne pepper contains beta-carotene and almost twice the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C, along with iron, phosphorus and calcium.

It contain thousands of bioflavonoids and carotenoids which may be responsible for the healing properties of cayenne.

It's good to know how to eat cayenne, as some people report that it upsets their stomach or causes extreme heartburn. Most of the time, these are cases where they ate capsules and swallowed them on an empty stomach. When the capsules finally dissolve, the heat is intense and the stomach was not prepared; thus heart burn big time!

Cayenne is a food that requires pre-digestion, that is, in the mouth through the saliva. It is best to eat cayenne in its natural state, fresh, dried, or powdered, or mixed into liquid, i.e. (water, apple cider vinegar, vegetable juice, soup). In this way, the enzymes in your saliva start to work right away, and in turn, signal the stomach to get ready for digestion. At this time the stomach acids are starting to activate and by the time the cayenne reaches your stomach, there’s no problem or overload on the stomach.

The potency of cayenne is determined by the quantity of the chemicals in cayenne and its resins. The more of these chemicals that are in cayenne and the hotter it is, which indicates it is more effective in healing. 'Charleston Hot' is considered the hottest cayenne at 70,000 to 100,000 Scoville Units.

Capsaicin is the chemical in Cayenne that blocks pain impulses. Certain types of nerves in the human body actually appear to have receptor sites for capsaicin. Capsaicin is the key that fits a certain lock in the nerves. That's why ointments containing capsaicin have been clinically proven to help relieve the pain of arthritis, shingles, psoriasis, and fibromyalgia.

Capsaicin acts as a restorative digestive tonic and major circulatory stimulant, which reaches every organ and system. Capsaicin can lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol along with reducing triglyceride levels, and can help clear up congested bronchial tubes or a stuffy nose. According to medical studies, hot peppers do not cause ulcers or gallbladder problems.

Cayenne is an excellent remedy to ward off chills and is useful at the onset of a cold. It causes sweating and supports the body’s immune system (rich in Vitamin C and is antibacterial). Small quantities will stimulate the appetite. The Maya used cayenne to treat mouth sores and inflamed gums.

People with intestinal disorders like chronic ulcers or chronic bowel diseases should avoid the use of cayenne in large quantities. When eating cayenne, have some cheese, ice cream or a glass of cold milk on hand. Dairy is one of the fastest remedies for hot pepper mouth burn because casein, a protein found in milk, breaks the bond between the capsaicin and the pain receptors in your mouth.

Never eat the leaves, stems, or flowers of cayenne pepper as they can be toxic.

This information is not intended to replace professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your health care provider when in doubt.

I’ve needed to see nature’s vibrant colors again to remind me that Spring is coming! So I found some of my favorite flower photos and created this slide show. These are from the gardens at A Summer Place, on Lake Pepin.

The cycle continues.