What am I? (Joe Pye Weed)

[SwampDonkey]

The flowers are getting old and ratty now.

These were along the ditch and grow over 5 feet tall. The ground they were growing in is wet and I could smell a hint of spearmint in the area, although the smell was not eminating from these. Also, beside them was a patch of spotted touch-me-nots.

[jon12345]

joe pye weed



I apologize for the low res. 

[SwampDonkey]

I looked the name up after I posted the pics. Apparently, there was a Joe Pye who used this plant to treat typhus afflicting the colonists of Massachusetts Bay. He learned this from natives. The cure was successful, the herb was included in the Europeans' pharmacopoeia, and Joe Pye was thus immortalized.

A tea made from the root was drunk to prevent or dissolve kidney stones, and even to treat gout and rheumatism, both of which are associated with excess uric acid.

[bitternut]

Hey thats good to know Donkey since I am rapidly approaching the age of needing some of its benefits and I happen to have it growing in my creekbottom.

[jon12345]

Lots of plants are good for you, after I got stung by a wasp and the swelling didn't subside for 2 days, I did a google and found that plantain (the leaf, not the banana like fruit) will take the sting out of a sting if u chew it and put the chewed leaves on it.  Is there an herbal remedy section in the knowledge base - maybe there should be 

[SwampDonkey]

Probably should exercise caution on the herbal remedies and one should research a plant for info thoroughly before considering it's consumption. I know we'de like to stay away from prescription drugs if possible, but don't toss the prescription because of what someone wrote in here. I'm no specialist on herbs or their side effects. Although I'm sure Joe Pye weed isn't going to harm anyone any more than dandilions, but there can be some pretty potent weeds that can do some serious damage to organs.

[jon12345]

Yup there are, and some that only cause reactions in some people, or in the presence of other compounds   There are a few tried and true, and some you could gather yourself instead of buying in the store.