nettle

“the kids and i went on a nice little walk today that ended in a nettle patch. our first solution was a quick soak in the river(gross but effective) but my wrists and hands are still burning and my favorite anti-itch gel doesn't seem to have any effect on the stinging.
the boys seem to have rinsed most of it off as only one is still complaining--or maybe they're not babies like i am. and why is the dog immune to stuff like this? not fair.
anyone know how to make me feel better?”

“Nettle has acids that burn the skin, and a buffer will neutralize the effects. Salive is slightly basic and will have some affect, a baking soda mixture such as saliva and soda rubbed onthe area will soon give relief. The sooner the paste is applied and rubbed in the less reaction you will have.

Just don't get caught with baking soda in a baggie or the Man will definitly charge you with drug possession and you will be immediately deemed guilty until analytical tests prove otherwise.”

“thanks Buddur.
i'll try that after i finish dulling the pain with a beer

ummmm...i used up all the baking soda washing the dumb cat after her rendezvous with peppé-le-peau
last edited: 9/03/05 7:55:21 PM”

“You need to apply the remedy IMMEDIATELY, or soon thereafter.

Beer is probably your only pain reliever at this point. lol”

“conveniently there is a solution to nettle pretty much wherever it grows. The plant burdock has a sap that when rubbed on the irritated skin stops it almost instantly, works everytime.
last edited: 9/03/05 8:22:30 PM”

“
Not the best pic...”

“thanks birch. i knew about poisonivy/jewelweed but i didn't know that one.
i never noticed any burrs around that area. actually, i didn't even see the nettle till we through it. guess i was too busy trying to avoid the spiderwebs and poisonivy...gotta choose our bushwhacking spots a little more carefully in the future.

and BTW...baking soda rubbed into open wounds hurts like...actually it's indescribable.
last edited: 9/03/05 8:47:06 PM”

“no prob helinka, my uncle showed sass and I that trick while clearing shooting lanes at my old deer blind years back.

Them nettles are a bugger too. Seems like you'll scratch the skin clean off to get relief. I got into em on a race last year and was in misery for quite a few hours.”

“the only time I had tangled with nettle the stinging didnt last but 45 minutes at most.”

“Plantain is often found along trailsides too and I have rubbed it on nettle with calming results and nearly instant relief for crying kids who just fell into it. Their parents were really happy that I came along when I did. So was I. Why carry all this knowledge around if someone cannot benefit from it?
Trek Lightly.”

“Medicinal Action and Properties---Refrigerant, diuretic, deobstruent and somewhat astringent. Has been used in inflammation of the skin, malignant ulcers, intermittent fever, etc., and as a vulnerary, and externally as a stimulant application to sores. Applied to a bleeding surface, the leaves are of some value in arresting haemorrhage, but they are useless in internal haemorrhage, although they were formerly used for bleeding of the lungs and stomach, consumption and dysentery. The fresh leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will afford relief and will stay the bleeding of minor wounds.

That's good to know, thanks hiking!
last edited: 9/03/05 11:13:05 PM”

“thanks. didya know that stuff is edible too!

when i looked up plantain in my field guide, i found a totally different pic--much taller with longer, thinner leaves but the same ribbing. and i was getting disappointed cause there definitely isn't anything that looks like that growing around here. but the short rounded leaf stuff is everywhere; even in my backyard.

i'm gonna try rubbing it on my wrist - hopefully it's not too late. the only spot still irritated is where my arm is all scraped up from work. it still has a burning feeling there, although the raised bumps that look like blisters are mostly gone. i'm starting to wonder if that spot is from nettle afterall (my legs are fine now). maybe there was something else hiding in the woods waiting to get me :)”

“CHiggers! P:D Chiggers Rawk!”

“nope. i don't think so SC
we don't have evil little critters like that up here ;)

the plantain didn't do anything...rubbing it onto my wrist irritated it even more.
gonna try a nice deep bath with aveeno & more booze. one of those is sure to fix me up.”

“try callendula and oatmeal :)”

“merci!
have no idea what hte first one is.
aveeno=oatmeal”

“I hate nettles! My kids are always getting into them. I track them down with a vengeance but they grow back no matter what I do. Nasty things...”

“nettles are pain, the remedie i have found most effective is jewelweed, once the juices from the stem and leaves are rubbed onto the effected area the burning goes away imediately. they are also nutritious wild edibles with a good amount of protien and vitamins and minerals. it can either be eaten raw or cooked as a pot herb, the boiling water nutrilizes the stinging hairs, just add what ever flavorings and spices u like. i prefer butter, garlic and pepper. if eaten raw there is a process to fold the leaves then eat. which very few of the hairs present a hazard to chewing. Nettles also are considered a counter irratant, people are useing the stining properties of nettle to help with sore joints adn arthritis.”