Urtica dioica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stinging nettle |
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| Urtica dioica subsp. dioica | |
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| Urtica dioica |
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Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) are a common type of plant known for their special stinging hairs. You can find these plants in many parts of the world, including America, Europe, and Asia.
When you touch a stinging nettle, its tiny hairs can inject chemicals like histamine into your skin. This causes a stinging, burning feeling. Even though they sting, nettles have been used for a long time as medicine, food, and even to make strong fibers. If you soak or cook stinging nettles, the chemicals that cause the sting are removed, making them safe to handle and eat.
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How Nettle Stings Work
Stinging nettles cause a burning feeling on your skin in two ways. First, tiny needle-like spines on the plant poke into your skin. Second, these spines release irritating chemicals. These chemicals cause your skin to react, leading to the stinging sensation.
Treating a Nettle Sting
If you get stung by a nettle, you might feel an itchy, burning rash. To help with the discomfort, you can use special creams. These creams often contain ingredients like antihistamines or hydrocortisone. They can help calm the skin and reduce the itching and swelling.
Uses for Stinging Nettles
Even though stinging nettles can be annoying, they are actually very useful plants! People have used them for many different things throughout history.
Nettle as Food
Young nettle leaves are edible and very nutritious. They can be cooked and eaten like other leafy greens, such as spinach. When cooked, the stinging chemicals are removed, making them safe and tasty to eat. You can use them in soups, stews, or even make a healthy purée.
Nettle in Medicine
For hundreds of years, people have used stinging nettles in traditional medicine. Different parts of the plant, like the leaves and roots, have been used to help with various health issues.
Nettle for Fiber
Did you know nettles can also be used to make fabric? The stems of the stinging nettle plant contain strong fibers. These fibers can be spun into yarn, which can then be woven into textiles. This makes nettles a useful plant for clothing and other materials.
Images for kids
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Urtica dioica from Thomé, Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885
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Urtica dioica grown as a botanical specimen in Cambridge University Botanic Garden
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Leaf detail.
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A stinging nettle growing in a field
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U. dioica close-up of the defensive hairs
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A hand with a large sting, with visible bumps on the skin
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The young leaves are edible and can be used as leaf vegetable, as with the purée shown in the above image.
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Nettle fiber, stem, yarn, textile, jewellery with glass and nettle yarn
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Young shoot
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Flowers (male) can be yellow
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Flowers (male) can be purple
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Flowers (female) can be green and white
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Fruits
See also
In Spanish: Ortiga mayor para niños
