Protection From Nettle Stings

Stinging nettles produce a skin irritant that is transferred through the small spines on the plant's leaf and stem surfaces. The painful rash and stinging sensation caused by the irritant lasts 12 hours or longer. Nettles primarily grow as a weed or wild plant in lawns, gardens and along trails. While often treated as a weed, the leaves of the nettle are also used as a cooked green similar to spinach. Protect yourself from the sting of the nettle when hiking, harvesting or pulling weeds.

Long pants
Long-sleeved shirt
Work gloves
Shears
Bowl
Slotted spoon
Pot

Instructions

- 1
  Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes when working around or walking in areas where nettles are present. Brushing against the nettle with your legs can lead to the stinging irritation. Wear gloves when pulling or harvesting the nettles.
- 2
  Tuck your shirt cuffs into your gloves so your arms aren't exposed to the stingers. Choose a shirt made from heavy fabric, as the nettles may pierce thin fabrics.
- 3
  Harvest nettles by pinching a leaf near the top of the plant with your gloved fingers. Cut off the stem near the base with a pair of shears.
- 4
  Pull entire nettle plants, including the roots, when removing them as weeds. Grasp the plant by the leaves near the top. Loosen the soil around the base of the nettle with a trowel, then pull up the nettle and the roots.
- 5
  Submerge the nettle leaves in warm water for 10 minutes, if you are preparing them to cook or for tea. Transfer the leaves from the warm water to a pot using a slotted spoon so your fingers don't come in contact with any remaining stingers on the plants.
- 6
  Add enough water to the pot to submerge the leaves. Simmer the leaves for 10 minutes to cook them and remove any remaining stingers.

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