View a Jewelweed PictureClearly Identify this Valuable Herb!
Jewelweed Picture: With sparkling water droplets beaded up on its leaves and its brilliant orange or yellow flowers both appearing "jewel-like", the debate rages on about which characteristic gave this herb its name!
Regardless, it really does look jewel-studded! Because Jewelweed is a succulent herb, it likes wet, or at least damp, feet. So, you will find it along streambeds, growing over an underground spring or in damp woodlands. In suburbs or cities, it can be found in ditches or even by drain spouts. Amazingly enough, since poison ivy and Jewelweed share the same soil and moisture requirements, wherever you find poison ivy, Jewelweed is usually nearby. Often you will see them actually growing together!
If you have a damp, shady spot in your yard with moderately rich soil, Jewelweed will be happy there. It produces seeds abundantly each year, so it is easy to gather some for your yard.
But if you want to enjoy the young shoots as a delicious Spring vegetable, you will need to learn to recognize it in all stages of its life cycle.
I cannot imagine our lives without this fantastic herb. You definitely want this one in your medicinal arsenal! It not only works against poison ivy prophylactically, but gives amazing relief after the rash has appeared in all its itchy agony! But, this anti-poison-ivy property is not Jewelweed's only benefit. The juice from this herb is great on any type of dermatitis even the tough ones caused by a fungus. That's right, even athlete's foot!
Jewelweed will not be a disappointment to you, because like most herbs, it has many more qualities I know you will want to learn about!
One of Jewelweed's other names is Touch-Me-Nots. If you have ever touched one of its seed pods, and been startled by its sudden explosion, you will understand how it got this name. And if you haven't seen it yet, you are in for some fun. My kids love to run their hands over the plants, watching as the pods recoil and shoot out their seeds! But be sure and gather some for yourself. They are edible and taste remarkably like walnuts. They can be used in all the same ways too...for a snack, in cookies, breads, muffins, etc. I know you will want to take the time to get to know this extraordinary herb! With all its important benefits its worth any time you invest to know it well.
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