Being the nice neighbor I am, I figured I would lend a hand and help cut down a couple half-dead intrusive limbs from an old oak tree. Mistake #1. I get all up in the branch, which was maybe 20 feet long. Mistake #2. I then proceed to grab the branch and pull it down not paying attention to the massive vines of ivy wrapped through out the motherf***er. Mistake #3.

Needless to say, 300mg of prednisone, a bottle of calamine lotion, a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a week and a half of misery later…I missed my golf outing. Nothing intensifies missing something you’re looking forward to more than stupidity. I saw the ivy on the tree and it still didn’t register until too late! And who get’s poison ivy on the palm of their hands? I do.

This reminds me of when I was younger and played fall golf for half price at nicer courses. Fall golf is kind of like the off season in the south. A buddy and I would look in the woods bordering the fairways for golf balls and find a ton of expensive balls, mostly Pro V1’s!  After a summer of financially stable golfers stocking the lumberyard with balls, autumn really was our harvest. This is how we stocked up for the next season. Along with cashing in on the good balls, I usually wound up with a little poison ivy too.

So, what do you do if you come in contact with poison ivy on the course and can’t get to a faucet quick enough to wash it off? Well, you can carry some poison ivy wipes (which I recommend) or look to mother nature for the answer. Jewelweed! Jewelweed can be very effective with fighting poison ivy. Crush up some leaves and stems and rub the infected area immediately after contact.

Native Americans used to use jewelweed to combat poison ivy exposure as well as a lot of nature lovers whom also concur. And you’re in luck, it grows almost next to poison ivy. Here’s a pic of one type of jewelweed:

Whichever way you decide please be careful and educate yourself. A little research can keep you poison ivy free…trust me it’s worth it.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!