Stinging Nettle | The Stinging Plant With Various Uses.

In my last post, I gave an insight into camping with Things to consider when out for Camping. In that, I did hint on stinging plants.

Today, we look at one of the amusing creations of God, of which Science has been a major influence, Stinging nettle. The purpose of this post is to help us understand the plant in question on addition to appreciating its various uses.

Description

Stinging nettle is a herbaceous perennial, 3 to 7 ft tall in the summer and dying down to the ground in winter. It is composed of spreading rhizomes and stolons, which are bright yellow as are the roots. The soft green leaves are 1 to 6 inch long and are attached oppositely on an erect wiry green stem. The leaves have a strong serrated margin, a cordate base and an acuminate tip with a terminal leaf tooth longer than adjacent laterals. It bears small greenish or brownish numerous flowers in dense axillary inflorescences. The leaves and stems are very hairy with non-stinging hairs and also bear many stinging hairs (trichomes), whose tips come off when touched, transforming the hair into a needle that will inject several chemicals: acetylcholine, histamine, 5-HT or serotonin, and possibly formic acid. This mixture of chemical compounds cause a painful sting or paresthhesia from which the species derives its common name, as well as the colloquial names burn nettle, burn weed, burn hazel.

Scientific classification                            

Kingdom:                        Plantae               

Division:                          Magnoliophyta

Class:                               Magnoliopsida

Order:                             Rosales

 Family:                           Urticaceae

Genus:                            Urtica

Species: U. dioica        Binomial name

Nettle sting treatment

Anti-itch drugs, usually in the form of creams containing hydrocortisomane, which provides relief from the symptoms of being stung by nettles. Nevertheless, due to the combination of chemicals involved other remedies may be required. Calamine lotion can so be helpful. Many folk remedies extremist for treating the itching, among them is horsetail, Jewelweed, (Impatiens capensis and impatien pallida), the underside of a fern (the spores), mud, saliva, or baking soda, oil and onions, and topical use of milk of magnesia

          

Images courtesy of Wikipedia.

The different uses of Stinging Nettle.

Stinging nettle is not only a threat to humans and animals; it also has numerous uses that can be attached to it. They are shown below.

Medicinal Uses

Nettle is one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon nine herbs charm, recorded in the 10th century. Nettle is believed to be a galactagogue and a clinical trial has shown that the juice is diuretic in patients with congestive heart failure.

Urtication, is the process of deliberately applying stinging nettles to the skin in order to evoke inflammation. An agent used is known as a rubefacient (something that causes redness). This is done as a folk remedy for rheumatism, providing temporary relief from pain. The counter-irritant action to which this is often attributed can be preserved by the preparation of an alcoholic tincture, which can be applied as part of a topical preparation, but not as an infusion, which reduces the irritant action.

Extracts can be used to treat arthritis, anemia, hay fever, kidney problems, and pain.

Nettle leaf is a herb that has a long history of use as a remedy in the treatment of arthritis in Germany. Nettle leaf extract contains active compounds that reduce TNF-α and other inflammatory cytokines It has been demonstrated that nettle leaf reduces TNF-α levels by potently inhibiting the genetic transcription factor that activates TNF-α and IL-1B in the synovial tissue that lines the joint.

To add, nettle is used in shampoo, this is to control dandruff and it is  believed to make hair glossier. It is as well believed that  nettles can ease eczema.

Nettle extracts have been shown to help relieve symptoms related to placebo

Because it contains 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, certain extracts of the nettle are used by bodybuilders in an effort to increase free testosterone by occupying sex-hormone binding globulin.

Fresh nettle is used as a folk remedies to stop bleeding because its high in Vitamin K.

Food.

Stinging nettle has a flavor similar to that of spinach when cooked and is rich in vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium. Young plants were harvested by Native Americans and used as a cooked plant in spring when other food plants were scarce. In Africa, nettle is also a recipe, for example the Bakiga in South-Western Uganda enjoy it.  Soaking nettles in water or cooking removes the stinging chemicals from the plant, which allows them to be handled and eaten without stinging. In its peak season, stinging nettle contains up to 25% protein, dry weight, which is high for a leafy green vegetable.

Drink

Nettle cordial is a soft drink, which is made from a refined sugar and water solution flavored with nettle leaves. Historically, the drink was famous in Western Europe though it’s origins can be traced way back in Roman times. The syrup that results is so refreshing when mixed with sparkling water.
Finally…
Stinging nettle is an interesting plant as we have all seen, differentiating it from the rest of the plants is important for our ultimate enjoyment of camp time. So, when out camping enjoy your time as you look out for this duo-functional plant called stinging nettle!