COOKING WITH STINGING NETTLE And don’t worry – once the leaves have been cooked, crushed or dried they lose their sting. You can sauté stinging nettle, add it to smoothies, juice it, add it to pasta dishes like lasagna, puree it for pesto, add it soups, stews, in omelets, or include it in salads.
Do nettles lose their sting when cut?
Separate Leaves From Stalks
Make sure that all of the leaves are separated from the stalks. Drop the leaves into a sink or bowl of warm water and let them sit for about 10 minutes. This washing process by itself will remove much of the sting from the nettles.
Do nettles sting after being picked?
Use rubber gloves or pinch the leaves hard, so you don’t get stung. Once picked, lay the nettles out on a tray to wilt. Once wilted they can no longer sting you. The sting relies on erect hairs to penetrate the skin and inject the stinging formic acid.
How long does it take for nettles to stop stinging?
In normal circumstances, stinging nettle rash should disappear within 24 hours.
How do you cut nettles without getting stung?
Use rubber gloves or pinch the leaves hard, so you don’t get stung. Pick the young leaves from the tips. Lay the nettles out on a tray to wilt or wash them in hot water. Once wilted they can no longer sting you.
When should you cut nettles?
The best time to cut nettles for a liquid plant fertiliser is early spring, as this is when the nitrogen content is at its highest. To ensure that the butterfly larvae are not disturbed it is best to cut in March and again (if you want to) in October.
Do dried nettles sting?
Stinging nettles lose their sting when they are either cooked or dried. NEVER EAT THEM RAW! You don’t want to be adding fresh stinging nettles to your salads, but a light sauté is all they need to wilt the stinging hairs and make them edible.
Do nettles always sting?
From my own experience, it really just depends on the plant. I’ve brushed up against some Nettle that never stung me, and have received some stings from a nettle that I swear I never touched. From experience, it seems that the longer you take to treat a nettle sting, the longer the sensation lasts.
Can you use Sudocrem on nettle stings?
I’ve been carrying this around with me and used it to great effect out cycling and to combat my lifelong nemesis, nettle stings! Somehow, wherever and whenever I’m out I seem to get stung somewhere. For me this stuff is great, doesn’t take up room in my pack and it’s really easy to apply.
Why do nettle stings hurt?
When the silica rods break on contact with something like your bare hand or leg, their sharp ends can pierce the skin and a payload of serotonin, acetylcholine and histamine are released from the bulb, causing pain and triggering a local, inflammatory reaction.
Does vinegar help stinging nettles?
Well, yes! Vinegar is an acid that kills plants by dehydrating them. Either the nettles will die because they cannot get any water, or they will simply shrivel up and turn brown as their cells start dying off.
Which part of a nettle should you avoid touching?
Stinging nettle
The leaves and young stems of this herbaceous plant are fitted with stinging hairs tipped with formic acid and other irritants. If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash.
What are the benefits of nettle?
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 I get rid of large areas of nettles?
Weedkiller control
- Neglected areas can be cleared of established nettles by spraying them with a glyphosate-based weedkiller (such as Roundup Ultra or Doff Weedout Extra Tough Weedkiller) which should be applied as a spray in June, shortly before they flower.
- A second application may be necessary in September.
Are nettles good for the garden?
In the garden, nettle is indispensable as a fertilizer, insecticide, and compost activator. On the farm, nettle’s uses don’t just end there. The farm animals also benefit from all the goodness of nettle as well.
Why are nettles growing in my garden?
Nettles are the food plant of choice for the caterpillars of all sorts of beautiful butterfly species. By leaving a few nettles be, you’ll be setting up ideal conditions for a kaleidoscope of color later on in the season. Many other insects love nettles too, including ladybirds and their prime food source, aphids.
Do nettles sting dogs?
Nettles can sting dogs’ paws leading to intense itching and chewing. Avoid walking through nettles. Again, this would be a time to use an antihistamine recommended by your vet. Some paw waxes might reduce stinging and soothe afterwards.
What do stinging nettles smell like?
The aroma of good quality nettles is faint and herbaceous with a slightly bitter, slightly salty, pleasant, herbaceous flavor. Nettle leaf that smells musty or has a strong, unpleasant musty or fishy flavor is of poor quality.
Do nettles sting when in flower?
The lip of the flower provides a landing stage for bees and other insects that pollinate the flowers. The leaves are heart shaped, pointed and have toothed edges, and as the name suggests, this nettle doesn’t sting.
White dead-nettle Lamium album.
| Status | Green – Least concern |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Woodland, Arable, Farmland |
What cream is best for nettle stings?
A dose of antihistamine (such as Piriton) will relieve the itching. Topical creams like calamine lotion or hydrocortisone can also be applied to reduce redness and itching (but be careful to gently dab the cream instead of rubbing).
Can you use Savlon on nettle stings?
For the symptomatic relief of pain, itching, irritation, and for antiseptic protection. For use in insect bites and stings, and skin reactions such as nettle rash, caused by contact with plants. Adults and children over 12 years: Apply a small amount to the affected area with a fingertip.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.