Image Credit: "Brennnessel 1" by Uwe H. Friese  © CC BY-SA 3.0

Brushing up against a Stinging Nettle is a lesson quickly learned. Containing histamine, acetylcholine and serotonin, the sharp tiny hairs on the plant are responsible for producing the irritating sting on the skin that can last for several hours.[1] Surprisingly, however, after this painful plant is correctly cooked it is edible. Most commonly it is used to make tea, but also used to make soup and cheese.[2] Not only used as food, Stinging Nettles are believed to have medicinal benefits. Although there isn’t enough scientific evidence to prove this, there is a long list of remedies including joint ailments, urination problems, allergies, anemia, diabetes, eczema, internal bleeding, and cancer. Besides the plants possible medicinal benefits, Stinging Nettles are used in hair and skin products, and can even be used to make cloth.[3][4]