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07/30/06, 07:07 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: N. Calif./was USDA 9b before global warming
Posts: 4,596
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The sting of stinging nettles is actually acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that pain nerves use to relay their messages. So they can sting really badly by totally saturating the nerve with the neurotransmitter. Ow! But this might be why they block pain from other sources--you can't get a signal through when the lines are jammed. Sort of like a 'denial of service' attack on an ISP.
I just found a reference on this by Marilynne McKay, MD, in the proceedings from the 2004 Santa Fe Wilderness Medicine Conference. The language is a bit technical but you can probably get through it with a machete. 
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Originally Posted by Marilynne McKay, MD
Toxin-Mediated Urticaria (TMU)
Toxin-mediated (non-immunologic) contact urticaria occurs in almost anyone who touches plants such as nettles that have sharp hairs (trichomes) on the surfaces of leaves and stems. the proximal silicaceous hair attaches to a distal calcified portion with a terminal bulb. When rubbed against, the bulb dislodges from the end of the hair revealing a beveled, hollow spine like a hpoedermic needle. Through these are released irritant chemical mixtures (histamine, acetyle-choline, 5-hydroxytryptamine) that supposedly defend against plant-eaters. These plants have been used since antiquity as counterirritants in folk medicine.
The most common provoker of contact urticaria (hives) in the United states is the stinging nettle, which grows everyewhere in the world except the low-land tropics. It thrives in moist woods, road sides, and waste sites. the spurge nettle, bull nettle, or "tread-softly" is also a common cause of contact urticaria.
Clinical symptoms
Patients develop wheals that burn and itch. In a controlled trial, wheals achieved maximal size between 3 and 5 minutes after contact. Most redness faded in 1-2 hours, but persistent tingling lasted 12 horus or more. Histamine, acetylcholine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine explain the early reaction, but not the persistent paresthesias, suggesting that other mediators may release neurotoxic inflammatorymediators. Most stings are benign, self-limited, and require no treatment.
<snip--other kinds of urticaria>
Treatment of contact urticaria
Prevention is the preferred form of treatment, but oral antihistamines are sometimes helpful. Parenteral epinephrine is necessary for anaphylactic reactions.
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So I guess the upshot is that regular medicine has little to offer other than maybe some benedryl and an epi-pen if you're seriously allergic to the stuff.
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07/31/06, 01:29 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Western Washington
Posts: 2,400
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I was told you could use slug slime....the cure might be worse than the problem though
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07/31/06, 01:51 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,187
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Almost always, growing near stinging nettles, you'll find dock. Just rub on a dock leaf to ease the sting.
Rub the affected area with Rosemary, Mint or Sage leaves.
Apply the juice of leaves and stems of Impatiens (jewelweed).
The sap from the Nettle stems is an antidote for the sting in its leaves. Just rub it on.
Mother Nature might be cruel at times, but she usually has a remedy available!
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07/31/06, 10:44 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,094
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by cath
I've not had the guts to pull some and try it as a cooked green or as tea, but I guess I would in a survival situation!
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Nettles are used and cooked by many of the finest chefs in the country. Viewing nettles as a last ditch survival food item is a mistake. They are extremely good for you and quite tasty. We treasure them in our garden not only for their culinary uses but for their medicinal and nutritional properties also.
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07/31/06, 10:59 AM
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Green Woman
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Indiana - North Central
Posts: 1,955
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I always use mud. I guess you could use mud made from pee. Cover both bases. LOL
But, seriously, I always use mud. Works well and fast.
I had 3+ acres of stinging nettles. Goats eat them (somewhat) but the llama ate them the best. Now? the nettles will probably be killed out in another 3 years from that area.
They are supposed to be used to make cheese too, but it didn't work for me because I didn't know how much 'nettle tea' to use...
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07/31/06, 04:52 PM
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Another American Patriot
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Living in the Metroplex. Moving to the country in Oct. 2009.
Posts: 2,313
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Eat It?????
Is stinging nettle the same as the bull nettle we have in East Texas ... I can't imagine handling it in ANY way except to kill it! That stuff is HORRIBLE and viscious! EATING NETTLE????? NO WAY!
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07/31/06, 05:12 PM
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Chicken Mafioso
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: N. TX/ S. OK
Posts: 26,190
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by primal1
reminds me of the time a lover and I 'found' nettles.. put an end to that fun real fast!
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OUCH!! 
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JESUS WAS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT
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07/31/06, 08:24 PM
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Chicken Mafioso
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: N. TX/ S. OK
Posts: 26,190
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by tillandsia
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What they call stinging nettle here is actually bull nettle. The seeds of the bull nettle are edible and I'm told they are extremely delicious, though I've never tried them.
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JESUS WAS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT
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08/01/06, 01:19 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Johnson Co., Texas
Posts: 7
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Growing up in western Washington we always used either mud of a plant that was always near the nettles. We called it horse tails...don't know the genus/specie of it but it looks very prehistoric...had great results from both.
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08/02/06, 08:02 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,693
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Jewel weed. Second to nothing when it comes to nettles.
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08/02/06, 09:26 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,072
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Around here sword ferns grow beside nettle (or the other way around, lol) The fern is a plant that you can rub the underside on the nettle stings and it will take away the sting.
My kids favorite activity is to run through the woods in the nettles, after awhile you become immune to it. Sign of bravery or stupidity...I don't know which! :baby04:
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08/02/06, 10:02 AM
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greenheart
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ky
Posts: 1,672
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if the bull nettle in Texas is the same that it is here then it is poisonous, I think it is of the nightshade family. It is my second worst weed.
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08/02/06, 10:34 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Gainesville Florida
Posts: 124
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tabitha
if the bull nettle in Texas is the same that it is here then it is poisonous, I think it is of the nightshade family. It is my second worst weed.
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Tabitha, you are referring to a different "nettle", Solanum carolinense
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SOCA3
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08/02/06, 12:45 PM
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I'm a silly filly!!
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: In the beautiful Hill Country of Texas!
Posts: 2,002
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When I lived near Houston my place had a horrid plant on it I called stinging weed, which I have now discovered is actually heartleaf nettle. It normally grew pretty low to the ground and was very obvious, and would only get you if you were barefoot or wearing sandals. But once I accidently walked into a thigh-high patch of it (wearing shorts) and wound up at the Dr's office for treatment. That stuff HURTS!!!! Here's a pic of it....
Leather gloves kept my hands safe from it, but woe be unto you if it touched bare skin! Anyone else have this?
Pam  <------------- now has another kind of nettle needing identification!
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08/02/06, 02:50 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Michigan's Thumb
Posts: 6,323
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gailann Schrader
They are supposed to be used to make cheese too, but it didn't work for me because I didn't know how much 'nettle tea' to use...
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I read "somewhere" that there is an enzyme in nettles that "turns milk to cheese" (my words, I'm not a cheese maker). It is also supposed to make sour milk from milk, in case you need some and don't have vinegar handy.
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10/08/06, 09:36 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 783
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I have stinging nettles in my pasture too and I get the welts along with a stinging sensation for about a day. I have found that the oil in a vitamin E capsule will take away the sting. I tried it because it has always worked really good on burns and bee stings. I'm going to try the mud next time though, since I don't usually have the vitamin E outside with me.
Last summer my 5 yr old grandaughter came in contact with stinging nettles for the first time and she came running to the house crying, "The porcupine bush got me!!!!"
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Cathy
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10/08/06, 12:20 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Washington State
Posts: 4,107
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Toothpaste. Works great on stings, insect bites and burns. Had hot oil splash all over my hand once, grabbed the toothpaste and never blistered. Great stuff, and I think most of us have it (I hope!)
Around here, it's bracken fern (aka fiddlehead) that works on nettle stings. Works best in the spring, though, when the tops are still uncurling.
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10/08/06, 04:02 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ar Ozarks
Posts: 881
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Thinking outloud here...If cooking nettles neutralizes the sting and makes them palletable then perhaps hot water on the effected area might work.
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10/08/06, 04:42 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,089
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tabitha
you may think I am nuts, but I planted stinging nettles. I get stung when I pick them, but otherwise stay clear. since they grow kind of tall they are easy to see. their sting is considered beneficial for rheumatoid conditions. I have several uses for them and consider the stinging nettle my friend. The Amish use burdock for burns. It may be helpful to have it nearby.
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I sorta liked them in our Engl garden and was happy they never fully go away when dug out. DUnno if I'll plant any tho!
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