Exploring Plant Life in Ludlow Pa
One thing that I like to do is explore plant life around where I live. It’s not only fun, but learning the different plant species can be helpful. You can learn about the ones that are poisonous and the ones that are not. Ones that taste good and ones that do not taste so good. There are also a lot of health benefits that these plants offer.
Exploring Plant Life in Ludlow Pa
I have taken pictures of some of the plant life here in Ludlow. Can you name what they are? Below is a gallery of the plants, see how many you can name. I will make weekly posts about the plant life here and what you can and cannot eat. I will also share some recipes and the uses these plants have had in the past. Exploring plant life is educational and fulfilling.
Food Is My Medicine
I am of the philosophy that food is my medicine. Studies suggest you are healthier if you eat the plants around where you live. This is the perfect time of year to lean about harvesting wild plants for your dinner plates and there are literally tons of plans growing in our back yards here in Ludlow Pa!
Japanese Knotweed- Cure for Lyme Disease!
There could be a plant near you that is known to CURE Lyme disease! This plant is called Japanese Knot-weed. This useful plant is seen as a weed, therefore, people just get rid of it and don’t use it for anything. Japanese Knot-weed grows wild along drains and other wet areas in the woods with good sunlight.
Identification Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knot-weed can grow up to 3 meters tall. The stalk of the plant is hollow and bamboo like and the coloration is purple fading into green. The leaves are green and heart to shovel shaped and can grow up to 20 cm across. In late summer, small clusters of white flowers form on the plant. It is pretty obvious once you know what you are looking for because of its unique traits.
Root Identification
The roots are dark and wood like. The inner bark is orange and has a musty smell when cut into.
Uses of Japanese Knotweed
You can eat the stalks in early spring. The roots help Bronchitis, coughs, gum disease, sore mouth and throat, lung disease, skin disorders, fluid retention, tuberculosis, stop bleeding, and Lyme disease. Also, it is also anti-microbial, protects the central nervous system, clears out endotoxins, anti oxidant, and is anti anxiety for example. This plant is an anti-inflammatory and plaque preventative.
WARNINGS
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, do not use this plant.
Medicine Preparation
Take the roots and wash the dirt off. Then, cut off the bark all the way down past the orange layer but not into the white wood. Collect the chips and dry them out. Next, to make the medicinal tea, take the dried chips and powder them. the ratio is 30 grams of powder to 1 quart of water and simmer for 30 minutes. The tea will be strong and bitter.
Food Preparation
The best time to eat these plants is in the early spring. After that, they get too woody to eat. Because of this, its best to harvest them early. To prepare, peel the outer layer off and chop up into discs to put in salads or eat it like celery. Some people say it tastes like green apple, others say it tastes like rhubarb. I guess you will have to forage for some and find out yourself!