I rolled up a bay laurel leaf and sniffed it hard. The sensation was powerful. here is a link to an article by John Cox which had originally upset me for his slander of the use of California bay leaves in cooking by "many an intrepid local cook" and speculations that a single leaf can "overpower a 5-gallon batch of soup." However his article was informed and interesting and exactly what I was looking for. I love the smell of bay and the taste as well. I hope to try the fruit of the trees this fall.
This guy John Cox is actually pretty cool, he ate local moon jellyfish and it sounds pretty tasty. I will add that to my list now too. apparently it is very popular to eat in Asia and even the US of A exports jellyfish to asian countries. who knew? many people, but not me.
Yesterday I ingested poison oak. I picked the tender sprouts off a plant near Muir Woods. I used tweezers and a plastic bag (small bag for small shoots) then I brought them home and put one sprig (of 3) into a emptied out pill capsule that previously contained ashwaganda. I took it down with water and ate some bread and butter after. I had previously eaten a hour or so before trying the pill. Next time I would eat and drink first as I was nervous the pill could have become lodged in my throat like they have before when taken not at a time of normal food consumption.
I currently have what I believe to be poison oak rash on my genitals(male), last night's dose and this morning's dose (doubled) have not seemed to decrease the normal behavior of the rash; becoming more itchy after inflammatory food, with heat and in the middle of the night.
When I get oak it seems to make all the crevasses of my body itchy especially inner elbow, behind the legs, genitals and beneath the armpit. It doesn't seem to be a localized reaction and doesn't present as a oozing chafing rash. it is red and tender but I think a lot of it is caused by itching.
I will also note that ingesting the small amount of poison oak did not make my urinary tract or rectum itchy as others had reported. Check out this article and the comment section if you are interested.
I was reading a book and it was talking about attuning with plants to communicate with them. I think that I need to be more intentional with my communications with poison oak. Plants are teachers! I have learned so much about myself because of poison oak; what foods or activities cause inflammation, how my body processes allergens, how histamines work, how to maintain resilient in the face of pain and debilitating irritation, and how much I appreciate having a functioning body and being alive--especially when I'm not waking up in the middle of the night itching my legs raw--but even when I am.
Thank you poison oak. you teach me to be tough and resilient just like you are.
