From the dried flowers country people made a syrup which was considered an excellent cure for lung diseases. Pioneer mothers used the twigs effectively at times when thev thought sparing the rod would spoil the child. The dried branches often are shellacked and used as floral decorations during the winter when fresh flowers are scarce. The broomweed is a valuable source of supply for nectar-seeking bees, who make from it a dark, slightly bitter honey. Calamine lotion, move over.
Scientists are on the track of drugs that block allergic reactions to poison ivy.
They have been able to desensitize guinea pigs to the active ingredients in poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. However, it will take several years to develop the drug for people. The poison ivy blocker is refined from the plant itself. Once extracted from the plants, the active irritant is altered chemically and injected into guinea pigs. In its altered form, the irritant is no longer toxic.