Not Too Sure....Nope!

  Being as I tromp around the marshes and woods a good bit, I have often wondered just how I would react if I ever met a foul tempered snake.  If bitten, would I go off the deep end and panic?  Would I calmly make my way back to the Little Bayou House and seek a ride to the hospital?  Or would I try some harebrained home remedy and hope for the best?  Unless it was a known venomous snake, chances are, I would opt for that home remedy.  Not that the idea is the best but "when in a pinch", you make do.  

  Stories abound of how different plants can fight the venom but logic tells us that it is not the wisest move to mess around with a venomous snakebite.  With that, definitely go to the hospital.  You would be stupid to try any purported home remedy.  However, with nonvenomous snakebites being non-life-threatening, I would be tempted to give some of the reputed remedies a go.  That said, I found yet another "cure-all" that supposedly heals snakebite.  Tales have been told that the Saltmarsh Morning Glory has healing powers.  Hmmm...well, maybe...who knows.  I really don't think this would be one I would try.

  This morning, I pondered about that healing power as I sat and admired the beauty of the morning glory blooms dotting the marsh.  Maybe our ancestors knew something about the medicinal powers of the plant but, it also occurred to me, that this plant is always growing IN THE MARSH!  Now, lets say I get bit by a snake...do you really think I would immediately have the thought "Let me traipse out in that moccasin infested marsh to fetch a posy!  It will heal me!"  Nope, I would be more inclined to say "Let me get away from those snakes!"  My brain would not even be thinking of Saltmarsh Morning Glories at all!  I think I would be more inclined to focus on identifying the snake that bit me.  Oh, and just so you will know, I have been bitten by a rat snake and a black racer years ago.  They do not really hurt.  The bites can maybe can be compared to a cat scratch.  Best bet?  Learn how to identify snakes and just be careful!  Avoid being bitten in the first place is always the best course of action.