One for all you botanists out there : ) Is the sting in stinging nettles ACID or ALKALINE? Thanks...?

Question

: ) Thanks 'Simon says', but I don't really want to go through the pain!

I know dock leaves help but there are never any about when I get stung!

Answer 1

It's acidic, I think formic acdi. If stung, rub with dock leaves (which can oten be found near nettles) - they're alkaline.

Answer 2

acid

Answer 3

Definitely acid. The nature of the toxin secreted by nettles is not settled. The stinging hairs of most nettle species contain formic acid, serotonin and histamine; however recent studies of Urtica thunbergiana implicate oxalic acid and tartaric acid rather than any of those substances, at least in that species.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nettles

Answer 4

Pour vinegar on it if it hurts more its Alkaline

Answer 5

Definetly Acid

Answer 6

Hi!! Whenever i have been stung by nettles, and that is often i get instant relief by using my own saliva, in other words i spit on my hands.

If the stinging is elsewhere spit on the hands and then massage the affcted  area.

If you cannot get enough saliva just gently chew your tongue for a minute or two.

Answer 7

the sting in stinging nettles is Formic Acid which is an acid as the name suggests. the same acid is present in wasp stings.

Answer 8

the sting in stinging nettlrs is acidic in nature and to get rid off the pain apply any basis to neutralise the effect.