Stinging nettle has been used for centuries as an herbal treatment for gout.
Nettle is a type of herbaceous plant that, although it originated in Europe, now grows almost everywhere in the world. In fact, there are several related nettle species that are often named after the place where they are found, such as U. californica and U. afghanica. The plant is evergreen, growing between three and six feet (0.91-1.82 m), with leaves one to five inches (2.54-12.7 cm) long. Plant height peaks in summer and begins to die back almost to the ground in late fall and early winter. The nettle produces a sting from the bristly hairs that cover both the stem and the leaves.
Nettle is a herbaceous plant that grows all over the world.
While not similar in appearance to poison oak or poison ivy, skin exposure to nettle can cause similar painful and itchy rashes. A careful approach to pricking the needle and stroking the plant in the direction of its tiny prickly hairs is unlikely to produce an adverse reaction. The sting associated with nettle contains three chemicals: histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin.
Skin exposure to nettles can cause painful and itchy rashes.
Serotonin and acetylcholine combine to strengthen histamine, which creates an allergic reaction in most people who come into contact with ripe nettle leaves. The sting can be neutralized with a number of different remedies, including urinating on the affected area, applying ice, putting mud on the sting shortly after it occurs, or simply washing the exposed areas shortly after contact with the plant. Since nettle triggers a histamine response, you can also relieve pain and itching if you take an antihistamine such as Benadryl® (diphenhydramine).
Most pharmacies stock a variety of antihistamine medications that are available over the counter (OTC).
If you can get through nettle leaves and handle them properly with safety gloves, nettle is an excellent addition to your herb cupboard or as a cooked vegetable. Fortunately, crushing, chopping, or cooking the plant destroys its stinger, and the tender young leaves can be quite tasty. Many cooks like to add nettle to soups and stews.
Some use nettle to make a tea that relieves joint pain in the shoulders or knees.
Several medicinal uses of nettle have been recorded. One creative use was to sting people to “cure” arthritic reactions and rheumatism. This can be metaphorically similar to banging your head to cure an upset stomach. The sting and rash may provide a temporary distraction from painful joints, but they are not likely to cure them. Other earlier records show that nettle was used to treat anemia, eczema, and gout.
A doctor should be consulted before using nettle to treat knee pain.
Today the plant can be used medicinally to treat ailments affecting the urinary tract when taken internally. Taken internally, nettle may actually provide mild pain relief in conditions such as arthritis. There are few clinical studies that “prove” the effectiveness of the plant for any condition. However, if your knee hurts or your shoulder bothers you, a nettle tea or homeopathic cream is unlikely to harm you, although it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor about possible drug interactions or medical conditions .