Ouch #2!!

Here's another picture of a bigger version:

And it spreads like wildfire - underground runners that you just wouldn't believe, plus those little fuzzy blossom like things spread if allowed to go to seed. I hate that stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have an almost allergic reaction to it with swelling and itching/stinging for days, so do my darndest to avoid it. (I have found that immediately rinsing the area in cold water helps, as does Neosporin and Benadryl cream.)

Nettle sting is painful - and does last for days - but in its defense it is reputed to help alleviate arthritis by rubbing or switching the area (I suspect by increasing blood flow to the affected joints - although goodness knows how you can move them once they have been stung repeatedly). Nettle soup and nettle tea are very good digestive, and said to clear bad blood. If you can bear to do it, harvesting the growth for the compost is excellent, and crammed into a bucket and covered with water then left in the sun to brew - it makes a very dark concentrated plant feed high in nitrogen. dilute before using. it is also a favourite haunt for butterflies to lay their eggs. nasty as it is, it does have some redeeming features. And you have to admit, it is one of the easier pernicious weeds to dig out - shallower rooters, with bright yellow roots.

Can you tell I have had a lot of time with this to give it so much thought?

Ground elder on the other hand!!!

LOL, Laurie!!! I have a huge growth of it in the Hundred Acre Woods (aka Murmur Meadows) where the 50 trees for Murmur grow (no longer 50, sadly, but a great many made it and they do make me smile!!!). I believe nettle tea is also used in the natural treatment of menopause.

And if you want a really great remedy for Stinging Nettle, Wasp/Bee Stings, Mosquito bites, etc... get "StingStop" by Boehricke & Taefel. (available at health food stores)
It's a homeopathic ointment made from Stinging Nettle. Works fabulously.
I know it's strange, but the juice of stinging nettle leaves cures the itch. It's easier to use the ointment...
Note on Stinging Nettle in your compost tea - use it - great stuff, but soooooo stinky!

Laurie, I will look for that for sure - thanks for the info!!

Thanks Laurie for the info.didnt know about the usefulness of it. I have nettles everywhere. hate them and have been touch by them a few more times than I want and that's also including blackberry's
they can hurt too.
A old Indian friend of mine told me about a plant that grows in our area that is called the Doc plant. you crush the leaves and rub it on the area that was touch by the nettle, and it does work. I will take a pic of the doc plant.

I have read that there is a kind of curly dock that is a natural remedy. Is that what you mean? Doesn't curly dock look a lot like dandelion?

Kathy

dock looks like persicaria - and it does work.

Heres the pic of the doc plant
dont know what its real name is

Yes, that's dock. Don't know the latin, but do know that it's a challenge to get rid of - very tenacious root system. Glad to know that it's useful.

Boy, me too - when I see that darn weed I just moan, knowing it's such a pain to get rid of!!

Interesting. Didn't know that was dock. And THE dock to remedy stinging nettle, to boot. Excellent!!

Have you guys heard of Giant Hogweed? I just got an e-mail from a friend of mine who has just identified it as a plant in her yard. Apparently she's had a rash on her leg for awhile and just realized that it was the Giant Hogweed.

http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/LANDS/weeds/hogweed.htm

Kathy

Well, that's a little scary - boy, if it's not one thing, it's another!

that is very scary
Glad I have not found it out here neddles are enough for me.