Do dock leaves really help nettle stings? (2024)

FAQs

Do dock leaves really help nettle stings? ›

It is often claimed that crushed dock leaves relieve the pain because their alkaline sap neutralises the nettle's formic acid, but dock leaf sap is acidic too, so this cannot be true. Nevertheless, many find that the dock leaf remedy seems to work, so there may be other reasons for this.

Baking soda is the simplest home remedy for nettle stings. It's an alkaline which neutralises the nettle sting's acid. Mix a few drops of cold water with some baking soda in a cup. Then, spread it over the sting using a gentle cloth.

Dock leaves don't just relieve stings – they're also a food plant for the small copper butterfly. Dock leaves and stinging nettles grow in similar habitats. There are a few theories as to why dock leaves appear to help nettle stings.

Remedies for this sting include a plant that often grows next to it called jewelweed. Applying the crushed stem of this plant to the affected area soothes the irritated skin. Another method for alleviating the pain is to apply a mixture of baking soda and water.

Interestingly, the old practice of placing a dock leaf on the affected area to sooth the pain is not as daft as it may seem, as dock leaves contain antihistamine in the sap.

To get rid of stinging nettles, cut them down in early summer before they start to flower and use a garden fork to dig up the roots of the plants. Hoe beds regularly to kill stinging nettle seedlings, or dig up individual seedlings with a hand fork. To remove stinging nettles in lawns, mow regularly.

People can treat stinging nettle rash by washing the affected area and the surrounding skin as soon as possible after coming into contact with the plant. Doing this helps remove chemicals and nettle hairs from the skin, which should ease the discomfort of the rash within a couple of hours.

It is often claimed that crushed dock leaves relieve the pain because their alkaline sap neutralises the nettle's formic acid, but dock leaf sap is acidic too, so this cannot be true. Nevertheless, many find that the dock leaf remedy seems to work, so there may be other reasons for this.

Empirical proof is great, however, I'm sure you were looking for something other than that - the substance in nettles that stings is Formic Acid, and in Doc leaves there is a form of alcohol, which is an alkaline substance, therefore the alkaline neutralises the acid.

In any situation where nettles are a problem and you are not concerned about other plants growing around the nettles also being controlled, we would recommend a total herbicide containing glyphosate.

How poisonous is stinging nettle? ›

Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash.

Pull or fork out young plants – if you have loose soil, pull out young plants of common or small stinging nettles, otherwise use a hand fork to remove the roots. Fork out established plants – use a border fork to lift and remove as much of the root system of common stinging nettles as possible.

Nettle stings contain acid (formic acid) but they also contain histamine and other chemicals. The exact details are still unknown but it is the histamine that causes the initial reaction when you are stung. Dock leaf sap contains a natural antihistamine, which helps to ease the stinging sensation.

Anecdotally, several “treatments” are thought to lessen the pain of nettle stings. These include rubbing dock leaves (Rumex obtusifolius), sage (Salvia officinalis), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), mud, or even toothpaste on the site of the sting.

All parts of the part are edible and it has been used as food or medicine for centuries. The leaves and shoots have a sharp, lemony flavour similar to Sorrel. They can be used raw in salads or cooked as a leafy green as a spinach alternative. The dried and powdered leaves make a nice seasoning for fish and seafood.

You could use vinegar, but a paste made from bicarbonate of soda and water is even better.

However, its effectiveness is generally temporary because vinegar does not kill the root system of nettles, allowing them to regrow after a while. Here's what you need to understand about using vinegar on nettles: Surface-level Action: Vinegar acts on the visible parts of the plant but does not reach the roots.

The chemicals in the stinging hairs that cause the irritation are acetylcholine, histamine, and serotonin. Some suggest that applying rubbing alcohol to the affected area can relieve irritation.