Nettles grow 2 to 5 feet tall and have opposite leaves. The leaves are coarsely toothed, pointed on the ends, and can be several inches long. Smaller, younger leaves are more heart-shaped. True to its name, stinging nettle imparts a painful sting through tiny hairs on the underside of its leaves and on its stems.
Where do nettles grow?
Identifying Nettles
Nettles will begin popping up in early spring and can be found
all across North America
. Its proper habitat is in sunny places where there is rich, moist soil. You’ll find them growing along rivers, streams, lakes, ditches, fencerows, and on the edges of cultivated farm fields.
What does the nettle plant look like?
Nettle stems are
quite slender, square
and grow 6 to 8 feet tall, with occasional thin branches. Leaves are thin, dark green, 2 to 4 inches long, with a tapered tip. The edges of the leaves are toothed and the leaf surface is distinctly veined and rather rough looking. The leaves are opposite along the stem.
Are nettles and stinging nettles the same?
Although both are
often called stinging nettle
, that common name only applies to Urtica dioica. Despite their similarity in causing skin irritation, the two species are considerably different in their biology and preferred habitat. Burning nettle, Urtica urens, is also known as dwarf nettle or small nettle.
What does a wood nettle plant look like?
These leaves are up to 6′′ long and 4′′ across; they are
medium to dark green, ovate-cordate to oval-ovate in shape
, and coarsely serrated or serrated-crenate. Young leaves are densely hairy and wrinkled in appearance, while older leaves become less hairy and wrinkled with age. Leaf venation is pinnate.
Are any nettles poisonous?
No, nettle (Urtica dioica)
is not a toxic plant
. However, the whole plant is covered with stinging hairs that can cause skin lesions.
How do you use common nettle?
The dried leaves and flowers can be steeped to make a delicious herbal tea, while its leaves, stem and roots can be cooked and added to soups, stews, smoothies and stir-frys. However, avoid eating fresh leaves, as their barbs can cause irritation. Currently,
there is no recommended dosage for stinging nettle products
.
Does vinegar help nettle stings?
If you have an itchy bite, dab a drop of vinegar on it.
The vinegar can help reduce stinging and burning sensations
. It can also act as a natural disinfectant if you’ve been scratching too much. If you need more relief, try soaking a washcloth in cold water and vinegar, and then applying it to the bite.
Can you eat flowering nettles?
The flowers and young leaves are edible
, and can be used in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Medicinally, white dead nettle is an astringent and demulcent herb that is mainly used as a uterine tonic, to reduce excessive menstrual flow and to arrest inter-menstrual bleeding.
Can you eat nettles?
Summary
Dried or cooked stinging nettle is safe to eat for most people
. However, you shouldn’t eat fresh leaves, as they may cause irritation.
Is stinging nettle bad for kidneys?
Older nettle leaves can contain oxalate,
which can irritate the kidneys
. In one case, a woman developed atropine poisoning after drinking stinging nettle tea that was contaminated with belladonna. One source reports that nettles may raise blood sugar levels.
How do you permanently get rid of stinging nettles?
The only way to get rid of stinging nettles permanently is
to remove the whole of the root
. Leave a minute piece of root in the soil and that’s enough for the nettles to regrow.
Why is stinging nettle a problem?
Nettle
damage
Stinging nettles compete with other plants for water and nutrients. They form large clumps and can quickly spread and take over neglected areas.
What is wood nettle good for?
Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat
painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia
. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).
How do you make wood nettle?
To cook wood nettles from raw
Take your washed, dried wood nettles and, using gloves or tongs put them into a wide pan with a lid, add a little butter and stock, salt and pepper to taste. Cook, covered until the nettles are totally wilted and hot throughout,
about 4-5 minutes
, then drain and serve.
Does stinging nettle have poisonous look alikes?
There are no poisonous look alikes to nettle
. … If you get a rash from nettles, if your skin is stinging, spreading it with plantain (plantago species, not the banana type thing) or jewelweed (another wild plant) juice will take away the sting and heal the rash.
