Greetings.

More than you probably wanted to know about Stinging Nettles.
The hairs on the leaf are hollow. The base of the hair the hair is
swollen containing an acrid fluid, a bicarbonate of ammonia. When
piercing your skin, the pressure causes the venon to be expressed, hence
the burn.
Interestingly, it is said the the juice from the plant, as in the stock,
is it's own antidote. Applied to the skin provides instant relief.
Another plant which always appears to grow near Nettles, is Dock. Also
an antidote. Tearing off one of the leathery leaves and scrunching it up
so it juices, then rub on the wound. This works, I know, empirical
evidence.
Nettles are said to have many medicinal qualities, too many to list, but
a few are:
Relief from asthma, nosebleeds. Used in the form of teas, tinctures and
as a dried herb. Even used in beer and made into a fibre for textiles.
There you have it.

Per Lindgren wrote:
>
> Gary Shea wrote:
>
> >
> > My guess is stinging nettle... I last encountered it as a kid
> > in Germany, my rather faded recollection is that it looks vaguely
> > mint like, has hairy stems and the bottom of the leaves are also
> > hairy?
>
> Yep, you've hit the nail on the head. Only the upper side of the leaves sting. Got
> lots of it in the garden, even a kind that dont sting.
>
> PerL

--
R.Feuerriegel
88 syncro