Urtica dioica, often known as common nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae.Originally native to Europe, much of temperate Asia and western North Africa, it is now found worldwide, including New Zealand and North America. This can be metaphorically similar to hitting your head in order to cure a stomachache. https://www.thespruce.com/description-of-stinging-nettles-plants-2132937 Burning nettle (Urtica urens) grows in various areas across the Eastern, Central and Western United States. What is burning nettle, and what does burning nettle look like? https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-stinging-nettle-4694416 Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been a staple in herbal medicine since ancient times, such as to treat arthritis and back pain. Wash it well while wearing gloves to break up the needles or cook it down so they melt away. By summer and early fall, the leaves darken and look coarse while the plants get rangy looking. It can be identified by its green leaves with deeply serrated edges. It can grow in both full sun or part shade. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our. The sting associated with the stinging nettle contains three chemicals: histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. Having grown up in Southern Michigan, nettle was common, but I have never seen such height. Stinging nettle for hair loss can an effective remedy. The leaves look like stinging nettles but this white flower shows it is the white dead-nettle. Its crimson flowers appear from March to October. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include What does stinging nettle look like? Nettle is a safe and natural way to stop hair loss and make hair healthy and glossy. The rash can vary in shape and size. If you’re wondering what stinging nettle is good for, look no further than its health benefits. People pulling weeds have even been stung through cloth gloves. A stinging nettle is a type of herbaceous plant, which though first originated in Europe, now grows throughout most of the world. Underground rhizomes have the capacity to sting as well. Though not similar in look to poison oak or poison ivy, skin exposure to nettle can cause a similarly painful and itchy skin rash. Stinging nettle . You’ll notice the first leaves emerging from snow or soil in late January (in the Pacific Northwest). A stinging nettle is a type of herbaceous plant, which though first originated in Europe, now grows throughout most of the world. working on her first novel. When the filaments come in contact with the skin, they break off like tiny needles and cause a stinging, burning sensation. Yet, if your knee aches, or your shoulder bothers you, a tea made of stinging nettle or a homeopathic cream is not likely to prove harmful, though checking with a doctor about possible drug or medical condition interactions is always good sense. The plant grows in height from 20 inches (50.8 cm) to about 50 inches, and the leaves grow to be about 16 inches (41 cm) long. Pistillate flower has four tepals in different-sized pairs, are greyish green and hairy. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently Stinging nettle has a long and diverse history of use for food, medicine, cordage, and dye. Do an image and information search on the Internet for "Stinging Nettle" or Urtica dioica. Most children will not forget what a nettle looks like once they have stung themselves, but to try and stop this happening in the first place, familiarise your child with what they look like, and point out the difference between stinging nettles (no flowers) and “dead” nettles which have flowers, commonly white but sometimes pinky / purple. Stinging nettle tastes like mild spinach without the strong iron flavor. Small hair- like needles inject chemical into the skins which causes redness, swelling (welts) intense pain ; possibly itching. Additional Tips for Stinging Nettle Treatment. When we look at the leaves we can see how very similar they are in shape. The name "dead" nettle tells you that it is not a stinger. Signs and symptoms. The best way to prevent stinging nettle rash is to familiarize yourself with what the plants look like and take measures to avoid coming into contact with … For centuries, this herb has been used in traditional medicine as well as in culinary applications, in place of other greens in a side dish and as a flavorful pesto on pasta. Other chemicals contained in the stinging nettle venom, and the ones we now think are primarily responsible for the pain it induces, are histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. What does stinging nettle look like? It actually looks like the rash you get from close contact with a stinging nettle. Remember: Nettle is like spinach in more ways than one. Your pharmacist can give you advice about antihistamine tablets to bring down your hives rash. Stinging nettle tastes like mild spinach without the strong iron flavor. Wood nettle. Inflorescence is catkin-like, 48 cm (1.63.2\") long. The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The rash consists of flat, pinkish swollen nettles in the skin. Cook it down like a leafy green and add to soup and creamy risotto, layer it into lasagna, and bake into egg casseroles. Top leaves picked from the Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) early in the season are my absolute favorite cooked green. Do not make the mistake to think that the home remedies themselves are enough to relieve you of the Stinging Nettle Treatment. Don’t be disappointed if you start out with an abundance of fresh leaves and end up with a measly pile of cooked greens. They also often grow in masses, forming a monoculture. Adding nettle to your diet as a cooked leafy green, blended as a juice, or steeped into a warming cup of tea provides a healthy dose of vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids. Additional Tips for Stinging Nettle Treatment. So, what makes a stinging nettle sting? You’ll notice the first leaves emerging from snow or soil in late January (in the Pacific Northwest). Add stinging nettle to your list of power foods alongside spinach and kale. It is a plant that is rich in nutrients and contains promising qualities that can help you combat hair loss. Read on to learn more about burning nettle plants. What does stinging nettle look like? Blanching the leaves briefly in boiling water will also remove the stingers. This will usually settle down within a few minutes or a few days and you can often treat them yourself. Those same trichomes that give stinging nettle its sting contribute anti-inflammatory properties used in traditional medicine to ease the aches of arthritis. Here are some ideas for making use of the free food and fertiliser that this under-appreciated weed has to offer. Nettle rash may occur repeatedly or as a single episode. In the spring, stinging nettle leaves are bright green and tender. Stinging Nettles is one of the wild foods that come up every Spring in our garden. Clearweed’s leaves are smooth and somewhat glossy while both stinging nettle and wood nettle have “rougher” looking leaves. Benefits, Uses, & Recipes, What Are Dandelions? Stinging nettles are a pain, but luckily for only a short while. Small hair- like needles inject chemical into the skins which causes redness, swelling (welts) intense pain ; possibly itching. Wood nettle’s leaves alternate on the stem. I have an abundance of what looks like Stinging Nettle in my yard. The sting can be counteracted with a number of different remedies, which include urinating on the affected area, icing it, putting mud on a sting right after it occurs, or simply washing exposure areas soon after an encounter with the plant. Our main stinging nettle patch is thriving with about 4 hours of direct sunlight in the summer. Their deeply serrated oval leaves are one to six inches long and grow on opposite sides of the square, hairy stems. A stinging nettle sting can feel like a bee sting: sharp, sudden, and very painful. Do not make the mistake to think that the home remedies themselves are enough to relieve you of the Stinging Nettle Treatment. It can grow in both full sun or part shade. The tiny flowers are arranged in inflorescences that hang off the stems like catkins. We have a lot of it here in the Pacific Northwest. Fortunately, crushing, dicing or cooking the plant destroys its sting, and tender young leaves can be quite tasty. They may cause a raised area nettle rash on the skin. The leaves and stem are vibrant green and pubescent (hairy), sometimes with a hint of purple. These same aphids are eaten by blue tits and other woodland birds that dart around the stems. (Taraxacum Officinale). Stinging nettle is a popular home remedy for arthritis, seasonal allergies, and many other conditions. Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent wiseGEEK Its preference for damp, fertile and disturbed ground makes it a good coloniser of places enriched by human activities, such as agriculture and development. A dock weed plant commonly grows in the same general areas as the stinging nettle plant. These are hearty perennials with a tendency to become invasive, so choose wisely. I have never tasted a cooked green – either wild or domestic – that I like better. Today, the plant may be medicinally used to treat conditions affecting the urinary tract, when taken internally. Many people will be able to relieve symptoms with home remedies. Urtica is the latin word for nettle. Summary: Stinging Nettle Root Benefits for Hair. Formic acid, the same chemical found in ant and bee stings, is present in the stinging liquid and has traditionally been blamed for the sting. Taken internally, stinging nettle may actually provide mild pain relief to conditions like arthritis. Types of stinging nettle Common nettle or stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) This is the most common nettle found in Europe and is most likely the species of stinging nettle that comes to mind first. contributor for many years. Steep stinging nettle to make an extract or tea. Nettle does produce a sting because of bristly hairs that cover both the stems and leaves. It's green and grassy-tasting, not unlike other dark leafy plants, with a bit of a peppery bite, like … While there are only a few visual differences between fen nettle and the stinging variety, there is a more marked difference under the microscope. Red dead-nettle is a common plant of roadside verges, waste grounds and field edges - anywhere the ground has been disturbed or cultivated. Stinging nettle rash can be irritating and painful, but it will usually resolve within a few days. She has not had anything she does not noramlly and still has the rash which is coming and going particularly when she's hot. Pick stinging nettle fresh and use it right away. What Does Stinging Nettle Taste Like? Both the stems and Their is one difference: the hairs on the leaves are on both top and bottom. Repeat this stinging nettle treatment 2 times every day. A Persistent and Useful Weed Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) originated in Europe but now grows on every continent … As a matter of fact, the following tips are as important as the remedies for you, to get speedy relief. The flowers have four stamens and yellow anthers. It has a single carpel and the stigma is brush-like. Don't be intimidated by the name, stinging nettle in your food won't hurt you a bit. The plant is perennial, grows to about three to six feet (.91- 1.82 m), with leaves about one to five inches (2.54-12.7 cm) long. Many nettle patches hold overwintering insects which swarm around fresh spring nettles and provide early food for ladybirds. The rash can vary in shape and size. By summer and early fall, the leaves darken and look coarse while the plants get rangy looking. It can be very itchy and usually goes away within 24 hours. Even a small nettle plant only a few inches tall can deliver a nasty sting. Nettle rash is a pinkish and violently itching rash that strikes many children. The latter name will give you the best results of what stinging (or common) nettle looks like in order to better help you identify the species out in the field. When you are outside look for short ( less that 15 inches tall ) bunches of very spiked leafy plants. Used to get this in: Scotland - owie ! Plant height reaches its maximum in summer, and begins to die back almost to the ground during late fall and early winter months. If you touch a plant that looks like nettle and gives you a noticeable sting, it is probably stinging nettle. Stinging nettle’s leaves are opposite each other. Spring Nettles. A careful approach to stinging needle, and stroking the plant in the direction of its small spiny hairs tend not to result in an adverse reaction. Key factors for identifying stinging nettle are as follows: Location – Stinging nettle typically grows wild in moist, nutrient rich soil on forest edges or alongside paths. Stinging nettles are low, small leaves which often grow alongside country paths, or in large patches spreading over a large area of the ground in forest or wooded areas. What does stinging nettle look like? I know it can be used on leafy veg such as Brassicas but I am looking for more specific advice, as in a list of plants that will thrive on it … Most are 9' to 10' tall, but one is between 12' 1nd 13' foot tall. Or place the cut plants in a jar of water like you would cut flowers to prolong its life to about five days in the refrigerator. Even a small nettle plant only a … Like spinach, it reduces like crazy when cooked. Here are 6 evidence-based benefits of stinging nettle. All three plants are in the Nettle Family. Hedgerow Type: Common Names: Dead Nettles, White Dead Nettle, Red or Purple Dead Nettle, Yellow archangel, Henbit Dead Nettle : Scientific Name: Lamium sp : Season Start: Jan : Season End: Dec : Watch our videos on YouTube. Took her to the walk in clinic and was told she has had an allergic reactin to something. The rash can vary in shape and size. The leaves, leaf buds and parts of the stem on a stinging nettle are lined with small, hollow filaments that contain a variety of chemical compounds, including formic acid. Male flowers can be yellow or purple, while female flowers are green and white. Is this unusual for the most part? It's almost an instinct to look for a bee or stinging ant as the culprit rather than the tall straggly plants along a trail or weeds in a garden. the stinging nettle (urtica dioida) contains different chemicals depending on the subspecies, which can include: serotonin, histamine, formic acide, acetylcholine, moroidin ; leukotrienes. Selecting your site with future spread in mind is also advised. A very common plant, the stinging nettle can be found growing in gardens, hedgerows, fields, woodlands and many other habitats. Nettle has been used for centuries as a herbal treatment for gout. The rash can appear all over the body but appears frequently on the chest, the back and where the clothes are tight. What does it look like? The leaves are very large, oval, have rounded tips, and have a wavy look … www.distractednaturalist.com/2013/01/stinging-nettle-look-alikes.html Learn about the benefits, side effects, and research around stinging nettle here. Their deeply serrated oval leaves are one to six inches long and grow on opposite sides of the square, hairy stems. To make tea, steep cleaned nettle leaves in boiling water for at least five minutes and then strain and sweeten as desired. (NOTE: If you are not interested in growing Stinging Nettles, but just finding the plant and using it, try going to the Nature's Restaurant Online site Stinging Nettle page.). Serotonin, in particular, might sound familiar – it’s produced in our bodies, and sometimes referred to as the ‘happy hormone’, though it’s actually responsible for a number of other roles too. She was given Piriton and off home we went. In the spring, stinging nettle leaves are bright green and tender. Stinging nettle is also used as an herbal supplement in the form of capsules or tea, and can help lower blood pressure, lessen hay fever symptoms, and promote liver function. As the nettle grows, the strongly serrate/toothed margins or edges of the leaves become more evident. Bumble bees visit the white dead-nettle flower to collect the sweet nectar at the bottom of each flower's tube. Stinging nettle might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. It's almost an instinct to look for a bee or stinging ant as the culprit rather than the tall straggly plants along a trail or weeds in a garden. The most obvious difference is the orientation of the leaves along the stems. I'm trying to identify it. Stinging nettle can be found in many kitchens. A number of medicinal uses have been recorded for nettle. A pharmacist can help with hives. The stem of a stinging nettle, just like the leaves, is covered in small, barb-like, stinging thorns or hairs. This can be done wearing gloves to ensure you don't get stung. One creative use was to sting people to “cure” arthritic reactions and rheumatism. Urticaria : Nettle rash (also known as urticaria) is composed of reddish itchy weals or swellings in the skin similar to those resulting from contact with stinging nettle. It also stings when touched. "My 2 year old daughter has a rash that looks like nettle sting it comes and goes lately she has been ill with a head cold and also had slap cheek rash?" The leaves have distinctly serrated edges, with each leaf margin looking like a row of pointed teeth. If you plan on preparing and cleaning the leaves before storage, you can place the damp plant between paper towels and store in a plastic bag or container for up to three days. And the leaves attach to the stem opposite one another. Though not similar in look to poison oak or poison ivy, skin exposure to nettle can cause a similarly painful and itchy skin rash. Stinging nettle leaves pack in Vitamins A, B, C, and K, essential amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and more. I’m guessing you’re asking for a description of how it feels to be “stung” by stinging nettle (urtica dioica). Stinging nettle is dioecious, which means plants can have either male or female flowers. I have an abundance of what looks like Stinging Nettle in my yard. the stinging nettle (urtica dioida) contains different chemicals depending on the subspecies, which can include: serotonin, histamine, formic acide, acetylcholine, moroidin ; leukotrienes. A nettle’s sting is caused by droplets of fluid at the ends of hollow hair-like structures (trichomes) on the undersides of its leaves and along the stem. Key factors for identifying stinging nettle are as follows: Location – Stinging nettle typically grows wild in moist, nutrient rich soil on forest edges or alongside paths. You’ve likely heard of stinging nettle, but what about its cousin, burning nettle. You can also plant stinging nettle in your own garden, though we recommend giving it a patch away from other vegetables so it doesn't take over. Like most weeds Stinging Nettle (Urtica urens) can be a pain for gardeners. It's green and grassy-tasting, not unlike other dark leafy plants, with a bit of a peppery bite, like arugula. If you're not sure it's hives. It is sometimes referred to as nettle rash as it is similar to the sting resulting from contact with nettles, and urtica is the Latin word for nettle. My wife discovered wild nettle on the edge of her flower bed and let them grow. It's also rich in antioxidant pigments like beta-carotene, lutein, and luteoxanthin. Stinging nettle is an herb native to Europe, North Africa and throughout areas of Asia. (Stinging nettle flowers are like green catkins.) There are about 18 varieties in the genus Urtica, including wood nettle, horsenettle, spurge nettle, and more. Stinging nettle comes under the simple name "nettle" on most teas and commercial packaging. That does in fact look pretty close to the plant that I've always called creek nettle, really close actually but a few minor differences but that could just be genetic variation. It is sometimes referred to as nettle rash as it is similar to the sting resulting from contact with nettles, and urtica is the Latin word for nettle. Fortunately stinging nettle has a distinctive look to it. Staminate flower is greyish yellow: four tepals (like sepals). --Dick C., Cincinnati, Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. What are nettle stings? The veterinarian will take a look at your pet’s skin, nose, mouth, and eyes for signs of redness due to stinging nettle exposure. About three weeks ago I started off my first ever batch of Stinging Nettle Tea in a spare Waterbutt and I think it will be ready to use in a week or so. It is a highly nutritious vegetable that I like to dry for tea. They have relatively anonymous looking leaves so it is important to pay attention to … All look similar, can be eaten, are highly nutritious and have the same troublesome hairs. Wood Nettle and White Snakeroot have flowers at the top of the plant, Stinging Nettle and Clearweed have flowers along the sides. It looks like stinging nettle rash all over her. Nettle does produce a sting because of bristly hairs that cover both the stems and leaves. Anything you can do with spinach you can basically do with stinging nettle, and more. Used to get this in: Scotland - owie ! You could argue that White Snakeroot doesn't belong in this discussion because its flowers are clearly different (they actually look like flowers). Other early records on nettle show it was used to treat anemia, eczema, and gout. There are actually several related stinging nettle species that are often named by where they are found, like U. californica, and U. afghanica. Finally, the sting. As the name suggests, this plant's leaves do sport stingers: tiny trichomes, or hollow hairs. Try stinging nettles in any of these vibrant, seasonal green recipes: You'll only find stinging nettle sold in tea form, and is fairly common in health food stores. Stinging nettle definitely lives up to its name – it will sting like crazy if you brush up against it or handle the plants without wearing gloves. I'm trying to identify it. It has the look of stinging nettle, with leaves growing opposite each other on the stalk, the fine prickly hairs on the leaves and the stalk, and the rigid leave edges. Before you cook with this plant, make sure it's very clean—you don't want to ingest the stinging hairs. Stinging nettles typically grow from two to four feet in height but can reach up to nine feet in very rich soils. Serotonin and acetylcholine combine to make histamine stronger, creating an allergic reaction in most people who come in contact with mature stinging nettle leaves. Stinging nettle tea is part of traditional medicine. Taking stinging nettle might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. Because of its numerous health benefits and versatility, the plant traveled with explorers and now grows all over the world, from North America to New Zealand. A stinging nettle sting can feel like a bee sting: sharp, sudden, and very painful. medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. It’s just the nature of the beast. The sting and rash might provide a temporary distraction from aching joints, but wasn’t likely to cure them. Nettle does especially well on the edges of meadows, pastures, or streams where the soil stays moist but isn’t waterlogged. Fortunately stinging nettle has a distinctive look to it. The flowers are greenish; they are very small but numerous. Many cooks like to add nettle to soups and stews. Why Stinging Nettle is a Problem. Burning Nettle Plants. Nettle stings can be itchy and you may feel a stinging or burning sensation. Description: Although they can reach greater heights, stinging nettles usually grow to about three to four feet tall. Both the stems and the undersides of the leaves are covered in stinging hairs. https://www.diynatural.com/stinging-nettle-how-to-identify-harvest-and-eat Cooks throughout history have done just that: making tea, blending into pesto and sauces, and serving them as a leafy green vegetable. Few clinical studies exist that “prove” the plant’s efficacy for any condition. Blend it with yogurt, fruit, and honey like you would kale or spinach for an extra-nutritious smoothie. Flowers: Stinging nettle is a dioecious (staminate and pistillate flowers on different plants) plant with very small flowers. Stinging nettles support more than 40 kinds of insects, for whom the sting can form a protective shield against grazing animals. Repeat this stinging nettle treatment 2 times every day. While coming into contact with this plant in its raw form does hurt, the effect will wear off and its trichomes can easily be removed for safe ingestion. But this nuisance of a plant is highly nutritious and readily available in most areas, making it one of the perfect wild plants to consume. The rash is often itchy and sometimes feels like it's stinging or burning. Dead nettles have no sting but probably evolved to look like stinging nettles as a defence against predators. To try the plant in its fresh leaf form, you'll either need to comb a foraging stand at the farmers' market, or pick it yourself. The flowers grow along stems that shoot out fr… Like most weeds Stinging Nettle (Urtica urens) can be a pain for gardeners. They have tiny filaments that actually stick in your skin causing the redness, stinging, and sometimes white blotches. Finding the plant in the wild isn't too hard, and the jagged-leafed stalk grows like a weed wherever it takes root. Look at other rashes in babies and children. Like yellow archangel, and other members of the dead-nettle family, it doesn't have stinging leaves. If you use it raw, first crush the hollow "needles" flat using the blunt end of a knife or pressing down with a drinking glass. Stinging nettles typically grow from two to four feet in height but can reach up to nine feet in very rich soils. Stinging nettle has a place in the kitchen. Since the nettle provokes a histamine response, it may also relieve pain and itching if you take an antihistamine like Benadryl® (diphenhydramine). The leaves and stem are vibrant green and pubescent (hairy), sometimes with a hint of purple. And each has been assigned to a different genus (Urtica, Laportea and Pilea). Most children will not forget what a nettle looks like once they have stung themselves, but to try and stop this happening in the first place, familiarise your child with what they look like, and point out the difference between stinging nettles (no flowers) and “dead” nettles which have flowers, commonly white but sometimes pinky / purple. If you see a group of such plants, look for those noxious bristly hairs along the stems of the plants and on the undersides of their leaves. Take the Sting out of Stinging Nettles by Blanching Them, Nettle Tea Might Be Good for What Ails You, 5 Delicious Ways to Cook Stinging Nettles, Brewing Nettle Tea and Its Health Benefits, What Is Tulsi Tea? It has the look of stinging nettle, with leaves growing opposite each other on the stalk, the fine prickly hairs on the leaves and the stalk, and the rigid leave edges. Apart from its other medicinal benefits, stinging nettle … As a matter of fact, the following tips are as important as the remedies for you, to get speedy relief. If you can get past the leaves of the nettle, and handle them appropriately with safety gloves, stinging nettle makes an excellent addition to your herbal cabinet or as a cooked green. Since both stinging nettle and wood nettle look so much alike — and both protect themselves with stinging hairs — how can we tell these two plants apart? Once you identify stinging nettles, it's hard to miss them.