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Taking the Sting Out of Stinging Nettle and Practical Uses of the Plant

Closeup of a stinging nettle
Stinging Nettle up close.
© S. Brill

When working on Ohio Chapter preserves, we always recommend wearing long pants and gloves. Ticks, poison ivy, poison sumac, and chiggers are all reasons hindsight might be 20/20 when not taking the proper precautions when out in the field. Another species that falls into the category is nettle.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a non-native plant in Ohio and can be found in moist forests that are preferably shaded and somewhat disturbed. Stinging nettle, an herb originally from the northern regions of Europe and Asia, is a perennial that belongs to the family Urticaceae and can grow in patches. Nettle sometimes are mistakenly included in the mint family, as several mint species have a nettle name, including dead-nettle, hedge-nettle, and hemp-nettle. It is not considered an invasive threat in the state of Ohio.

Stinging nettle is one of the first rising forest floor plants in the spring. It has opposite heart shaped leaves (approximately 3 inches long) that are thin and serrated on the edges. Each individual plant can reach almost 3 feet in height, but size depends on the amount of light and moisture. It propagates two different ways. One way is via rhizomes, or an underground root system. A second way is by seed, as the plant flowers in June through September. It is considered a dioecious plant, thus it has male and female flowers on separate plants.

The plant has hollow hairs on the underside of its leaves and on its stem. These are a part of what causes the "stinging". When people walk by and brush the plant, these hollow hairs break off and release a formic acid, the same acid ants have in their saliva. Areas of the body that have thicker skin, such as the bottoms of the feet and palms, may be immune to the acid as it doesn’t penetrate the skin very deep. However, arms, legs, backs of the hands, etc., are susceptible and irritation will be felt. People with higher skin sensitivity may feel the irritation for over 24 hours, while others that are less sensitive may only be bothered with irritation for about an hour.

Using a base is the best way to counteract the irritation. Making a paste of baking soda and water and applying to the site immediately is a good way to ease the pain. Most times one doesn’t have the luxury of having baking soda when out in the woods, so try these ideas. The plant curled dock (Rumex crispus) is basic and grows in the same area as stinging nettle. If you crush the leaves of this plant and rub it on the irritated area, it should provide some relief. If you are afraid to touch any plant at this point, applying human saliva may also lessen the irritation.

Stinging Nettle
Mature Stinging Nettle Plant.
© S. Brill

As with other herbs, stinging nettle have been used for other purposes since the Bronze Age. Nettle have been used for medicine, food, fiber, and dye. Modern day uses may surprise you. People use nettle for ailments such as hay fever, anemia, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and kidney stones. It can be made into a tea and help with a sore throat or a cough. It can even be made into a beer!

The reason it is used for so many purposes is that it is very high in minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium, and sulfur. Nettle is a good source of amino acids and vitamin C, beta-carotene, and B complex vitamins as well. It has more protein than any other vegetable.

How does this plant go from a nuisance on a forest floor to a tasty tea or remedy for rheumatoid arthritis and tendonitis? By using its leaves, such as in teas, and its roots, as a root tincture. You can even purchase it in capsule form!

The key to getting the "sting" out of the plant is boiling or steaming leaves collected in the spring. Once the leaves are cooked, the stingers are deactivated. For more information on this and other ways nettle is used, please use the links provided below as resources for this article.

It is always important to remember that herbs contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, and/or medications. Always consult with your practitioner before using nettle or any other herbs.

Resources: