And we all have some in the fridge.
Summer holidays are often an opportunity to go for a walk in nature. However, you have to be careful because these green spaces can be full of nettles and a sting can happen quickly. Nettle stings are generally benign but particularly painful. They cause tingling, itching and a burning sensation. Visually, blisters can appear on the area, as well as swelling and redness. Dock leaves, or Rumex obtusifoliusa common plant in Europe, are often used against the symptoms. English researchers decided to observe their effectiveness, comparing the plant with a particular vegetable.
The scientists conducted a randomized trial with 9 volunteers, all healthy emergency room physicians. They were stung by nettles on their forearms. After 60 seconds (to mimic the time it takes to actually find a dock leaf in real life), they blindly applied either dock leaves or leaves of the vegetable used as a placebo. They then rated the discomfort felt in each arm after 1, 5, 10, 15 and minutes, on a scale of 0 (no discomfort) to 5 (most discomfort possible).
According to the results published in the journal Emergency Medicine Journal3 participants correctly indicated which arm had been treated, 3 were wrong and 3 were completely unable to say which treatment had been applied. And surprise! The relief was rapid with both solutions, including the vegetable used as a placebo. “The effect is not significantly different between the two interventions”the researchers shared in a statement. They claim that the discomfort observed following nettle stings quickly subsided within 15 to 20 minutes with the applications of both remedies. But what is this vegetable that relieves nettle stings?
This is lettuce, a seasonal vegetable, often eaten in summer in salads or sandwiches. It was chosen because it imitated the appearance of the dock leaf. The two are roughly the same size, shape and texture. However, it is not possible to say for the moment that lettuce has the same anti-inflammatory properties as the plant. But it could provide a refreshing effect and its sap evaporating from a broken leaf would be a source of relief. “We conclude that dock leaf may be effective against nettle stings, [mais] lettuce can be just as effective, [et] relief comes quickly in all cases”scientists say.
As you can see, placebo effect or real miracle cure, if you are the victim of a nettle sting, it may be worth a try. In any case, the pain should fade on its own. The symptoms of a nettle sting last between half an hour and a day. Beyond 24 hours, it is recommended to consult a health professional.