Stinging Nettle Bane or Balm

Reader Contribution by Karrie Steely
Published on May 6, 2015
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I enjoy foraging and finding uses for weeds and plants that pop up everywhere this time of year. Recently I discovered that one of the local plants that’s usually avoided like the plague is full of nutrients and pharmaceutical benefits. You might wonder why I’d even think of handling something as vexatious as stinging nettle. It just goes against my stingy nature to go to the grocery store and spend money on food and medicine that’s growing right under my nose. Besides, I kind of like the challenge – the slight element of danger. Hey, I’ll take any excitement I can get!

I first encountered stinging nettle walking through a wooded area in Nebraska, and since then I’ve learned to keep a close eye on the vegetation when I’m walking there. (Not to mention performing other necessary functions that one does in the woods.) I’d rate the discomfort from the sting somewhere between pain and extreme irritation, but the sensation goes away after a few minutes. The plants are covered with tiny little hollow needles that inject several chemicals into anything unfortunate enough to brush against them. Not pleasant.

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