Why do nettles sting? How to soothe the sting of stinging nettles How nettles sting.

Nettle leaves are a whole storehouse of vitamins. There is 4 times more ascorbic acid than in lemon, and more vitamin K than in spinach and cabbage. The mineral composition of nettle is also rich: it contains a lot of proteins, organic acids, tannins, essential oils, sugars and other biologically active substances.

According to the recommendations of traditional medicine, nettle is consumed in the form of fresh juice, infusion or decoction. Juice can be obtained using a juicer. It is prescribed 20 drops per quarter glass of warm water or milk 15–30 minutes before meals 3 times a day.

The infusion is made as follows: 10–20 dry nettle leaves are poured with a glass of boiling water in a thermos and left for an hour, then filtered. If you bring the same amount of leaves and water to a boil, keep it covered for 2-3 minutes on the fire, then leave and strain, you get a decoction. Both the infusion and the decoction are drunk 2-3 tbsp. spoons 20 minutes before meals 3-5 times a day.

In the old days, they drank nettle juice and rubbed themselves with it in the bathhouse. When “overpowered,” they would whip them on the lower back with steamed nettle stalks in the bathhouse. Nettle infusion was given internally to scrofulous children and at the same time, nettle baths were made. A decoction of the root was drunk for venereal diseases and fever.

For severe hemorrhoidal pain, you can use a mixture of nettle leaves and buckthorn bark: pour 8 g of each plant into 1 liter of boiling water, keep on low heat for 15 minutes, then filter and consume 0.5 cups warm before meals 3 times a day. For bleeding, you can combine nettle juice with yarrow juice.

Nettle juice, infusion and decoction are also used externally to treat wounds, trophic ulcers, and burns. Crushed nettle leaves are applied to the wound (before this they must be washed with boiled water) or a piece of gauze soaked in nettle juice. To treat rheumatic arthritis, rub the sore joints with fresh nettle juice. The same is done for gout, radiculitis, myositis.

Nettle root, boiled with sugar, or seeds (1-2 g per serving), ground in water, help with kidney stones and gall bladder. For chronic skin diseases, an infusion of nettle flowers can be used externally.

Nettle is also well known in cosmetology. Extracts from it are included in many creams and lotions. For aging facial skin, masks made from young nettle are good: the leaves are washed and passed through a meat grinder or juicer, the resulting juice is wiped over the skin or moistened with gauze and applied to the face.

To strengthen and enhance hair growth, as well as against dandruff, rub fresh nettle juice or infusion into the skin: 1 tbsp. A spoonful of nettle leaves is brewed with a glass of boiling water, left for an hour in a thermos, and then, after washing the hair, rubbed into the roots. This can be done once a week for 1-3 months.

Spring and summer are the best time to harvest nettle leaves for future use. They are torn with gloves or the upper parts of the stems are cut off, and the leaves are torn off after a few days, when they wither and stop stinging.

Dry the nettles in an attic or under a shed with good ventilation, spreading them in a thin layer of 2–4 cm on a mesh, cloth or paper. But you can’t dry nettles in the sun: the leaves lose valuable substances. It is also not recommended to overdry the leaves: they become brittle and turn into powder. Nettles are dried when the veins and petioles begin to break. Nettle leaves can be stored for up to 2 years in dry, well-ventilated areas.

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Nettle is a plant that has been known since ancient times, a kind of “nipper dog” among the biological kingdom of plants. Few people have not experienced its burning tingling and itching on the skin after accidental contact with it. Even rubber gloves and thin layers of clothing are not afraid of this sultry grass.

Why do nettles sting?

In fact, this effect of nettle on an external stimulus is a method of self-defense from herbivores. The latter, knowing about this ability of nettles, avoid the bushes of the plant. The stem and leaves of nettle are entangled on top with thin, barely noticeable to the eye, and very sharp fibers that easily pierce the skin of humans and animals, and when broken, remain in it. The villi contain juice.

The composition of the juice is formic acid, histamine and vitamin B4. When the villi enter the skin, the juice flows under the skin and causes a burning sensation in the pierced area. The juice acts as a kind of poison, but for humans this dose does not pose any particular danger. On the contrary, from such an injection, blood circulation in the body increases and blood begins to pump faster through the vessels, removing excess waste, toxins and other debris that is harmful to humans from the body. It’s not for nothing that one of the popular brooms in bathhouses during bath procedures is made from nettle. After 7-10 visits to the steam room with such a broom, the blood becomes clear, like that of a healthy small child.

The nettle plant has been known since ancient times. Ancient stories tell how Caesar's legionaries doused themselves with this herb to numb pain and keep warm. The ancient Greeks used the plant to increase male potency. Russian healers used the herb to heal wounds and stop bleeding. The ancient Slavs considered the plant a powerful amulet; they used brooms from the plant to drive away evil spirits.

In ancient times, nettle was used in a variety of magical rituals. People believed that evil spirits were afraid of this plant. They flogged people with nettle brooms not for punishment, but in order to rid a person of the presence of demons. The plant was used as a talisman.

People often wondered: why do nettles sting? We will devote our story to explaining this fact. But first of all, we should consider the general properties of the plant.

Peculiarities

Nettle is characterized by a beneficial effect on the human body. This plant is a perennial. It grows in temperate climates in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The grass is found in Europe, Siberia, Asia, the Caucasus, Africa and Australia. Prefers soils rich in nitrogen. As a weed it is considered difficult to eradicate. Grass grows near roads, fences, in vacant lots and in lowlands. Forms impenetrable thickets.

There are two varieties of the plant found in nature: stinging nettle and stinging nettle. Each type has its own characteristics. When the question arises of why nettle stings, we are talking about the second version of the herb. Differences between these types:

• Stinging nettle is a perennial that grows up to 2 meters in height and forms dense thickets.
• Stinging is an annual plant up to 50 cm in height. There are hairs on the stems and leaves. The plant does not create thickets.

Unpleasant moments

Why do nettles sting? The plant is covered with fine hairs with sharp ends. Each tip has a pouch that protects the hair from damage. If it is disturbed, a cell particle penetrates the skin, releasing special substances: formic acid, histamine, choline. They cause an allergic reaction and severe itching of the skin.

Touching grass can cause a severe allergic response in the body. There have been cases of death after touching nettle stems. Of course, this happens extremely rarely. Most often, the burn goes away without a trace.

In people prone to allergies, plant burns can remain on the skin for up to several days. And if a person is tormented by the question of why nettle stings for the second day and the burn does not go away, perhaps the allergic reaction has reached a serious stage. In this case, the doctor can help by prescribing special medications.

Causes of burns

Everyone has come across such a property of nettle as the ability to burn. Why does the plant behave this way?

The fluffy hairs of this herb cover the stem and leaves and perform a protective function. In this way, the grass protects itself from various herbivores. Animals that eat the plants avoid the nettle, and it can afford to increase its population by becoming a thicket.

Now it’s clear why nettle stings; useful and interesting facts about nettle will tell you about its many properties.

Is it useful?

Answering the question why nettle stings, it is interesting to know whether such burns have any beneficial effect on the body?

The moment you touch the plant, blood rushes to the top layer of skin, and a blister soon appears. Sometimes you even have to take antihistamines to relieve inflammation.

Nettle burns are used to treat certain diseases. They are used to treat rheumatic pathologies. It is known that formic acid contained in the plant can relieve pain. By causing a burn, nettle provokes an improvement in blood circulation at the site of contact, which leads to the relief of inflammation.

To improve blood circulation, use grass brooms. However, when using the method, you should be careful not to get an allergy attack.

Application

Despite its “inhospitable” behavior, the plant has many beneficial properties and is used in various industries.

In medicine, the plant is used to make medicines. This herb contains a lot of vitamins A and C. It stops bleeding thanks to vitamin K.

The plant strengthens the immune system, so it is eaten as part of various dishes. Nettle gives strength to a person.

The plant is also used in cosmetology. Decoctions from it help eliminate boils and other skin rashes. Nettle hair masks have strengthening properties and make hair beautiful.

Decoctions of the plant are used in the treatment of pathologies of the gastrointestinal organs, urolithiasis, bronchitis, and heart disease.

Nettle is an excellent vitamin remedy that doctors recommend taking during periods of exacerbation of colds.

At the pharmacy you can buy nettle-based preparations in different forms:

• Oil - used externally to treat skin pathologies.
• Dry extract - used to prepare infusions.
• The liquid extract is a frequently used remedy to treat many ailments.
• Dry raw materials - it is used starting from the age of 12, usually in the form of decoctions.

In industry, nettles are used to produce paint. And once upon a time they even managed to sew sails from it.

How to deal with burns?

Nettle burn is an unpleasant phenomenon, but usually there is no cause for concern. The herb can only cause serious trouble to the delicate skin of children. Mothers often wonder why nettles sting? For children, such burns are really dangerous. The resulting allergic reaction can drag on and cause a lot of trouble for the baby and his parents.

When swelling appears, doctors usually recommend taking antihistamines. To relieve redness, you need to soak the affected limb in cold water. Alternatively, you can apply a slurry of tea soda. Alcohol lotions also help adults. The main thing is to consult a doctor before using any medicines, including traditional medicine.

So, we have answered the question of why nettles sting. It is noteworthy that such an unpleasant phenomenon as a burn can sometimes help the human body.

There are about 50 species of nettle in total. Stinging nettle and stinging nettle are the most widespread in Russia. Nettle has a diuretic, laxative, anticonvulsant, expectorant, wound-healing, and tonic effect. Nettle extract is used to stop prolonged or heavy bleeding in women. Nettle is prescribed to treat hundreds of different diseases, including gallstones, liver and biliary tract diseases, hemorrhoids, heart disease, tuberculosis, allergic reactions, bronchitis, skin diseases, etc.

Nettle is a storehouse of vitamins and microelements. Its leaves contain twice as much ascorbic acid compared to currants. Nettle is also rich in carotene, vitamins B2 and K. Nettle is a source of iron salts, potassium, sulfur, vegetable protein and pantothenic acid. It improves blood clotting, increases hemoglobin and reduces sugar concentration.

In cosmetology, nettle is used in hair and scalp care. It stops hair loss, improves its appearance, and also successfully fights dandruff. Nettle is even used for food: cabbage soup and salads are made from it.

Why do nettles sting?

The leaves and stem of nettle are covered with thin spines called stinging cells. At the end of each of them there is a sac with liquid, which contains acid, histamine and vitamin B4 - choline. If you touch the plant and damage the thorns, the contents of the sac will penetrate the skin. The area begins to itch and looks like a burn. The reaction from skin lesions is painful and extremely unpleasant. The liquid cannot be washed off as it has penetrated under the skin. Basically, the contents of the bag do not harm the body of humans and animals, although it is known that the burn of a tropical species of nettle - Ongaong - sometimes develops a severe allergic reaction, which can be fatal.

The stinging properties of nettle are similar to the mechanism of action of the stinging cells of jellyfish, sea anemones and other aquatic inhabitants. The striking stings are curled into a ball and straighten when you touch them. Therefore, when collecting nettles, it is necessary to break the stem with a gentle but firm movement so that the thorns remain pressed to it. Then the ball at the end of the spike will remain unharmed and the liquid will not penetrate the skin. If damage does occur, then it is necessary to neutralize the effect of the acid with an alkaline reaction. This can be done using sorrel juice or baking soda. A paste of baking soda mixed with a small amount of water is applied to the affected skin and kept until the burning sensation disappears.

Why do nettles sting? For children, this issue becomes especially relevant when blisters swell on their legs and arms, which itch, itch and spoil their mood when remembering unpleasant moments in life.

Growing along roads, in vacant lots, near fences and dwellings, the seemingly harmless nettle does not form large thickets, which does not prevent frolicking children and inattentive passers-by from falling into its green “embraces.” It is the ability of nettles to burn that causes its wholesale destruction using available means at hand: a sickle, a shovel, a scythe. Oh, this nettle! Why does it burn, thereby causing a negative attitude towards it?

What is the value of nettle?

Nettle, which many consider a weed, is actually a valuable medicinal plant, rich in vitamins C, K, A, stops bleeding, and is an excellent remedy for vitamin deficiency. It is not for nothing that people believe that nettle will replace 7 doctors.

Why does nettle sting if it is so beneficial? This is how nature works. Containing many essential microelements (calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, iodine, copper, sodium, chromium), this herb stimulates metabolism and improves immunity. In terms of iron content, nettle is inferior to many medications. Not everyone knows that this hot plant stimulates active muscle building. But everyone knows how malicious nettles are. Why does such a useful plant burn? What can you do... But nettle stimulates appetite, lowers blood sugar levels, stimulates the production of interferons that protect the body from viruses, and is used in cosmetics; This is an effective hair care product.

Stinging nettle for strengthening hair

To strengthen your hair, pour about 150 grams of nettle into a liter of boiling water, add a spoonful of thick honey to the resulting composition and leave for about an hour. Afterwards, strain the broth and divide into several parts. When washing your hair in warm water intended for rinsing, you should dissolve 2 cups of the resulting product. Nettle rinse gives hair strength, shine and silkiness.

Effect of nettle on the body

In ancient times, a person who had frostbite was wrapped in a nettle blanket, which often saved the latter from death. The protein content in this natural medicine is twice that of legumes. Nettle strengthens the walls of blood vessels, is useful for the bladder, kidneys, and liver; this useful herb normalizes the female cycle and increases the amount of milk in nursing mothers. Due to the content of lignin and cellulose polysaccharides, nettle promotes the rapid removal of toxins from the body.

Nettle in folk industry

In ancient times, strong threads, ropes, and fishing nets were made from the fibers of nettle stems. For this purpose, they grew a special variety of nettle - ramie, which burns very strongly. To clean it, people even wear special, very thick clothes. This type of grass is so tall that even a horse can hide in its thickets.

Its young shoots are edible; Fish and meat wrapped in nettle leaves are better preserved, and dishes washed with this herb shine like new. Despite such useful qualities, the nettle plant still has one very big disadvantage. Why does it burn? Perhaps in this way the plant is trying to protect itself. On some islands of the Indian Ocean and in India, a nettle sting is similar to a poisonous snake bite. What burns such a seemingly harmless plant? Nettle does not seem to have any obvious thorns or thorns. Why do nettles sting?

The burning secret of nettles

In fact, nettles have spines, but they are very small, they can even be called “hairs.” Each of them contains a unique tiny “bottle”, the contents of which are a burning acid characterized by a complex chemical composition. The neck of such a “vessel” is very sharp; upon contact with the skin, it immediately digs into it, breaking apart inside and thus releasing the burning liquid.

The consequence of contact with nettle is the appearance of redness and blisters on the skin of the hands and feet, and tears of pain and resentment in the eyes, and the question in the head is: who invented such malicious nettle? Why does it burn without warning and cruelly? Nettle burns cause virtually no harm. In England, there is even a world championship for eating nettles, in the form in which it grows in nature, without any processing.

Nettle that doesn't burn

How to prevent nettles from burning? The grass loses its harmful properties if it is scalded with boiling water. By the way, in this state it is a very nutritious and healthy feed for livestock. For the first spring cabbage soup, nettle is simply an indispensable component. In addition, it appears earlier than meadow sorrel and garden greens. It is absolutely safe if you follow certain rules. Its leaves can be boiled, dried, frozen or eaten fresh. Dried leaves are an excellent component for aromatic, healthy tea, to prepare which you just need to pour boiling water over them and leave for 10 minutes.

If the nettle is intended for long-term storage, the dried leaves should be crushed in a blender or using a mortar and the crushed raw materials should be placed in an airtight container. This preparation can also be used as a seasoning for first courses or salads.