It’s not every day you come across a story that involves someone willingly adding poison oak to their diet, but that’s exactly what Jeff Horwitz, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, did. Known for his tech reports, Horwitz decided to embark on a rather unconventional experiment to build up immunity to the chemical irritants found in poison oak. Tired of getting rashes during his mushroom foraging trips in California, he took matters into his own hands – or rather, his salad bowl.
In his feature article for the Saturday newspaper, Horwitz detailed his journey of incorporating poison oak into his daily smoothies and salads. Starting in January as the buds of the hazardous plant began to swell, he gradually increased his consumption to develop resistance to urushiol, the resin present in poison oak, ivy, and sumac that causes those itchy rashes. Surprisingly, the taste of young poison oak turned out to be mild, grassy, and slightly tart, making it somewhat palatable despite its notorious reputation.
Despite encountering stern warnings against his experiment, Horwitz persisted and eventually found himself rubbing poison oak leaves on his skin without experiencing any adverse reactions. Drawing inspiration from California’s indigenous tribes who historically consumed poison oak to build immunity, as well as anecdotal evidence from outdoor enthusiasts, he was determined to maintain his newfound resistance for the long term. While the idea of nibbling on poison oak leaves might sound outlandish to most, Horwitz’s experience sheds light on forgotten remedies and preventative measures for poison oak rashes.
Interestingly, Horwitz delved into the pharmaceutical history surrounding urushiol extract medicines, revealing a time when pharmaceutical companies marketed poison ivy pills and shots to prevent rashes during spring and summer. However, the discontinuation of these products by Big Pharma led to a widespread ignorance of alternative treatments beyond traditional remedies like showers, antihistamines, or hydrocortisone cream. Fortunately, advancements in the field have brought about new urushiol drugs, offering hope for those seeking protection against poison oak and ivy rashes without resorting to extreme measures.
So, before you consider following in Horwitz’s footsteps and blending poison oak into your morning smoothie, it’s worth noting that safer alternatives are on the horizon. With pharmacologist Mahmoud ElSohly’s innovative urushiol drug in development, the days of chomping on poison oak leaves may soon be a thing of the past. While Horwitz’s daring experiment may have raised a few eyebrows, it ultimately serves as a reminder of the lengths some are willing to go for immunity – even if it involves a side of poison oak salad.
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