Nettle Sting Remedy: How to cure stinging nettle ? Is there any treatment to stop a nettle sting from paining you?
Nettles cause the pain they do because they induce an inflammatory response. An inflammatory response is the immune system’s reaction to injury, pathogen attack and allergies. The main ingredient in an inflammation is histamine that is secreted and that causes the skin or tissue to swell up and secrete mucus in an attempt to protect the tissue from further damage.
As an evolutionary development, many plants develop certain poisons that are useful in protecting them from predators. Some of these poisons can kill and some of them create reactions like allergic reactions. Curiously enough, these very poisons were used as a medicine for curing various ailments; and still are used for the same reason in some cases. This is because inducing an inflammation or a controlled inflammation is sometimes useful for the body. Another use of a poison is the creation of its antithesis and the stinging nettles derivative has been used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders like arthritis. On a slightly different front, the juice of nettles is also known to be a very effective diuretic. Stinging nettles are especially potent because of the presence of histamine in their stings. Formic acid is also a constituent of their chemical attack, which is also used by some ants to immobilize and kill predators and prey.
The best way to treat a nettle sting is to administer anti-inflammatory medicine like hydrocortisone. This is available in some ointments and is the most effective treatment for topical inflammations. Aloe Vera is also quite a useful addition though its anti-inflammatory strength leaves much to be desired. Other cures that do not have scientific credentials but that have been accepted traditionally include the application of hot mud, hot water baths, and the immediate application of saliva are said to be useful in alleviate the symptoms of nettle stings. Alternatively, a few analgesic tablets would also reduce the symptoms. You could also try to slice a clove of garlic and make a paste of it with ginger and apply it to the sores. This should work pretty well because ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory though it is most effective when used for respiratory tract infections. You could also try to apply some honey over the area to sooth the pain. Lemon juice is also worth a shot. This is because lemon juice’s acids can help wash away some of the histamine and other acids from the area of the wound. Follow this up with an application of baking soda.
