Now that I have gotten your attention, I want to point out that most people in their right mind would not intentionally set out to plant poison ivy (the exceptions being serious botanists or other scientists who are doing research). We know poison ivy to be a highly toxic allergen whose volatile plant oils can make you itch so intensely you want to crawl out of your skin. Still, for all its known hazards, poison ivy can be a good thing.
Poison ivy is actually a very attractive plant. It's leaves growing in sets of three often contain a hint of red in their veining--leaving an extra bit of color on the forest floor. In fall when the leaves change, I have seen poison ivy growing up the side of a trees contain beautiful rainbow colors that took my breath away with their beauty. Equally pretty flowers pop up in spring and early summer, which also contribute to the plant's attractiveness.
The poison ivy plant contributes to the well being of many birds. The white berries of winter are often a favorite food for our feathered friends during the cold. There are also certain birds that like to use the hairy growth of thick poison ivy vines to build their nests. I appreciate anything that provides for the well-being of my winged friends.
The other benefit of poison ivy is what it can teach us. Coming into direct contact with it and having a reaction to it can give a person a greater respect for nature. Such an experience will cause you to walk gently and not take the world for granted. While we may not intentionally walk into such a painful experience, the lessons are invaluable and may be transferred to many other aspects of life.
Poison ivy is a great way to understand that everything in the world is not necessarily black or white. While it may contain pain, it also contains life. When we learn to appreciate both sides, the Universe opens up new levels of understanding. We are never the same, and abundance flows.
~CSE
Poison ivy is actually a very attractive plant. It's leaves growing in sets of three often contain a hint of red in their veining--leaving an extra bit of color on the forest floor. In fall when the leaves change, I have seen poison ivy growing up the side of a trees contain beautiful rainbow colors that took my breath away with their beauty. Equally pretty flowers pop up in spring and early summer, which also contribute to the plant's attractiveness.
The poison ivy plant contributes to the well being of many birds. The white berries of winter are often a favorite food for our feathered friends during the cold. There are also certain birds that like to use the hairy growth of thick poison ivy vines to build their nests. I appreciate anything that provides for the well-being of my winged friends.
The other benefit of poison ivy is what it can teach us. Coming into direct contact with it and having a reaction to it can give a person a greater respect for nature. Such an experience will cause you to walk gently and not take the world for granted. While we may not intentionally walk into such a painful experience, the lessons are invaluable and may be transferred to many other aspects of life.
Poison ivy is a great way to understand that everything in the world is not necessarily black or white. While it may contain pain, it also contains life. When we learn to appreciate both sides, the Universe opens up new levels of understanding. We are never the same, and abundance flows.
~CSE
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