Here you’ll discover the best thing for nettle stings when you’re out and about, and how to create a soothing nettle rash home remedy. Can the Poria Mushroom Strengthen Your Immune System? Phytomedicine. Stinging nettles (Urtica spp.) The best way to prevent a stinging nettle rash is to avoid stinging nettles touching the skin. “Stinging trees (Gympie-Gympie) are the bane of people in the Australian tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas – especially after disturbances such as cyclones, which trigger the germination of seeds. In traditional Chinese medicine, stinging nettles are known as xun mao. Sold in many health food stores and pharmacies, stinging nettle is available as capsules, tinctures, teas, wax-based salves, and ointment. J Cancer Sci Ther. If possible, do not touch or rub the affected area for 10 minutes. Guggul Extract and Its Possible Health Benefits. Cameron, M. and Chrubasik, S. Top herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Avoid picking nettle near roadways or places where pesticides are used. There are simple remedies for nettle stings. Nettle has a spinach-like and slightly minty flavor that many find appealing, particularly when added to vegetable or puréed soups. DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2012.09.016. Nettle stings are certainly the less fun part about nature. Moreover, the effect appeared to be dose-dependent, meaning that larger doses conferred to greater reductions in prostate size. Here are a few general guidelines that will help. Plant in full sun or partial shade. It’s found in gardens, waste areas, near where animals live, and around moist areas such as creeks. When these chemicals penetrate the skin after contact with the plant, the local allergic reaction is referred to as urticaria. Stinging Nettle’s has a remarkable ability to rebuild and restore. A stinging nettle is a type of herbaceous plant, which though first originated in Europe, now grows throughout most of the world. Qayyum, R.; Din Qamar, H.; Khan, S. et al. Lipophilic stinging nettle extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory activity, are not cytotoxic and may be superior to traditional tinctures for treating inflammatory disorders. Stinging hairs of nettles are hollow, pointed cells with a tip made of pure silica, which breaks leaving a jagged point when you brush against it. Stinging nettle grows from early spring through the summer. Topical stinging nettle ointment is intended for the short-term treatment of dermatitis and other mild skin conditions. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Recognizing the plant and teaching children how to distinguish it can help avoid stinging nettle rash. Stinging nettle capsules are usually offered in 300-milligram to 900-milligram formulations and are generally considered safe at these doses. Nyamai, D.; Arika, W.; Rachuonyo, H. et al. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. The chemicals found in the stinging hairs of nettle responsible for the pharmacological effects of the plant are histamine, acetylcholine, various leukotrienes and formic acid, the same agent found in bee venom. And it’s not just the living leaves that sting, dead leaves too can cause problems. Older plants tend to be tougher and have a bitter taste. Stinging nettle, or urtica dioica, is a perennial flowering plant that has been used medicinally for ages, dating back as far as Ancient Greece. Side effects are relatively mild. Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, has been used as food and medicine for centuries. Today, it can be found all over the world, but its origins are in the colder regions of Europe and Asia. To treat symptoms from stinging nettles, the leaves of a dock plant can be crushed and the juices rubbed on the irritated area. Plant in a location where you can manage it, as this plant has a habit of taking over. One immediate solution is to apply the juice of the leaves of certain plants that may be neighboring the nettle, such as broad leaf plantain or dock leaf. Muscle and joint pain 2. Despite the positive findings, the effect was not considered robust enough to be a viable stand-alone option for either hypertension or diabetes. The nettle sting contains irritants – mainly formic acid and histamines – that are injected into the surface layer of the skin cells. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2763. Enlarged prostate 9. The plant causes a slight discomfort by stinging or pricking but is widely known for its benefits. What Are the Benefits of Eucalyptus Leaves? Wrap fresh uncooked nettles in moist paper towels, and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to four days. While picking the nettle plants, you should be careful because some of the varieties may cause stinging on the skin and result in rashes. Unless you are completely sure what a plant is, do not harvest it. These conclusions were not entirely supported. Many times, you may come across a big patch of wild nettles in the garden and forests. Karyn also blogs for Mother Earth Living. 2016;14(1):254. Managing Pests and Disease. Stinging nettles are generally considered safe based on their traditional use as food and in folk remedies. If taken by mouth, you may experience stomach upset and sweating. Topical corticosteroid preparations such as hydrocortisone creams or sprays are available over-the-counter or by prescription. The good news is that with a good stinging nettle remedy on hand, you’ll be back on your feet in no time. A 2013 review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews pointed out that studies investigating the use of stinging nettle in treating osteoarthritis were of "very low quality.". 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