Herb of the Month...Stinging Nettles

​Our first herb of the month is Stinging Nettle, or Urtica Dioica. This plant has an extensive native range and is found all over, including Africa, Asia, and North America, where it grows wild as a forest herb. If you grow this, try to contain it in pots as it will self seed everywhere! The leaves of stinging nettles contain chemicals, including histamine, formic acid, serotonin, and acetylcholine, that when touched can produce a burning sensation on the skin. It is sometimes also called burn weed. These sensations can be minimized by wearing gloves when collecting, then allowing the herb to wilt before using.But never fear, it's many health benefits outweigh the stinging sensation, and it often grows near the dock plant, which when used on the skin, will remove the sting. You can also use a piece of adhesive tape on the skin to remove the fine hairs of the plant that cause the burning. More info on this amazing plant tomorrow!