Stinging Nettle is a member of the Bull Nettle Family It grows wild and comes up right before Spring hits and starts to flower once Spring gets here and then you won't see it till next year.I discovered it when the boys were 4 & 5 years old. We lived in the country and the only thing they liked to wear were their cartoon underwear and the Red Superman Capes I made for them. They would come running in saying their feet and ankles were stinging like fire ants were stinging them but there was nothing there. We finally figured out that they were running through patches of what I later found out was Stinging Nettle.
It was at this time we discovered that breaking of pieces of Aloe Vera and rubbing it on the affected area relieved the stinging immediately.
I dove in a researched it and found it was a remedy for pain. I tried the tea but it made me sicker than a dog. I developed gout in my left elbow and endured the pain for months. It was very painful to even move my elbow at all. There were times when the pain brought tears to my eyes. The Nettle started coming up so I put on my gloves and cut some of it. I then stung myself on and around the elbow. It stung like the dickens for about an hour then I noticed the pain was gone and it didn't come back. It's been 6 years.
I have treated other aches and pains with it as well and have had very good results each time.
The sting isn't as bad as a bee sting, more like fire ants and it is over with in no more than an hour. Every Doctor I have spoken to says they don't know why it works they just know it does.
I'm all for a natural remedy!
I first read about Stinging Nettle in a book called: The Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman
CAUTION:
If you are allergic to bees or have had allergic reaction to things in the past proceed with caution. I have seen people have bad reactions to the sting on the Nettle plant. Nothing life threatening, but large welts that are very scary looking and not too comfortable. I suggest you sting yourself once in a very small are the first time to see how it effects you.
