Post by @simonakeroydgardener

The recent mild weather has meant stinging nettles are regrowing again when usually at this time of year they would be dying back. I’m sure you probably remember in your childhood being told that if you got stung by a stinging nettle you should rub a dock leaf on the affected area. Unfortunately dock leaves do very little to alleviate the pain. It was basically a placebo in the hope it might stop you crying as a child. Instead, you should look for a plantain leaf. (Not the banana leaf). Plantain leaves actually contain antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Simply rub this over your sting and hopefully the redness and irritation will start to reduce as the antihistamine juices start to work. These plantains have nothing to do with bananas! There are two different types of plantains you might find in the countryside or garden. Rib-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata) or round-leaved plantain (Plantago major). Round-leaved plantain is the leaf I’m using in this video. Rib plantains are longer and narrower and often found in lawns. Both plantains work as an effective pain relief to a sting from a stinging nettle. Isn’t nature’s medicine cabinet amazing?