#2406122 - 05/31/11 11:02 AM
Stinging Nettle
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catman529
spiderboy
16 Point
Registered: 11/10/10
Posts: 11088
Loc: Franklin TN
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If you are bored and looking for something random like this... here are a few fun facts I felt like posting. Who has run through this stuff in the woods? I definitely have, and it hurts.
There are actually several species of nettle that sting, and what I see most commonly is the wood nettle, which can get 3-4 feet tall around here and grows in thick patches especially near the river.
The plants are herbaceous perennials - the tops die in winter and grow back in the spring. The outer layer of the stems are actually very tough and can be used as cordage in a survival situation (just be sure to rub all the stinging spines off).
The small spines covering the plants look a lot like regular hairs found on a lot of plants, but they are mostly made of silicon and full of irritating juices (the chemicals that produce the sting). The spines do not actually puncture you. The tips of the spines are rounded, but when your skin brushes against the spines, the tips break off leaving sharp edges (think of breaking glass) which basically scratch your skin and let the stinging juice into the scratch. This of course causes a lot of burning, and itching, and usually swelling. For me, the burning/itching doesn't last too long but it isn't very pleasant.
Now they may be menacing plants that you don't want to mess with, but they are actually edible and rich in a lot of vitamins. I have tasted it once or twice and it's not bad - and that's coming from someone who hates eating plain greens or salads. You just have to be sure the spines won't sting your mouth... roll the leaf up tightly, or better, cook the leaves like you would spinach. You can also make tea, and even beer with nettle leaves.
If I were stranded in the wilderness, I think this would be one of the more useful plants for survival. Leaves as a nutritious source of food, stems for cordage to make traps and snares. Most people hate the plants but I have to say I think they are cool in a way.
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A good day in the woods is best finished off with an ice cold Sun Drop.
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#2406179 - 05/31/11 12:05 PM
Re: Stinging Nettle
[Re: TC4ever]
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TAFKAP
12 Point
Registered: 11/06/09
Posts: 7006
Loc: Memphis
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I decided to go around a deadfall many moons ago, rather than crawling under it with a 70 lb pack. Never heard of stinging nettles before then, but just plowed right through a patch of knee-high plants. Easy hiking, continue on.
About 3 minutes later, I began a 3-mile goose-step rubbing my legs down the trail. That was the worst misery I could have ever inflicted on myself.
_________________________
Everything important in life was learned from Mary Jo Kopechne.
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#2406201 - 05/31/11 12:29 PM
Re: Stinging Nettle
[Re: TAFKAP]
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catman529
spiderboy
16 Point
Registered: 11/10/10
Posts: 11088
Loc: Franklin TN
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Online
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I decided to go around a deadfall many moons ago, rather than crawling under it with a 70 lb pack. Never heard of stinging nettles before then, but just plowed right through a patch of knee-high plants. Easy hiking, continue on.
About 3 minutes later, I began a 3-mile goose-step rubbing my legs down the trail. That was the worst misery I could have ever inflicted on myself.
3 minutes is a mean delay... for me it burns right away, that's got to suck walking through a whole patch without even realizing.
_________________________
A good day in the woods is best finished off with an ice cold Sun Drop.
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#2406207 - 05/31/11 12:39 PM
Re: Stinging Nettle
[Re: catman529]
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DOC1187
16 Point
Registered: 06/14/08
Posts: 10387
Loc: east tn
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