Content
- Avoid itchy wheals - pick stinging nettle properly
- Better cut off the whole stems
- Without picking gloves
- Cover free skin areas better
- Where and when can you pick plant parts of stinging nettles?
- Quickly process the plant parts after picking
- Tips
A few good, thick gardening gloves protect the hands from "burning" while picking nettles
Avoid itchy wheals - pick stinging nettle properly
Stinging nettles do not have a particularly good reputation. They are known for their burning, itching and wheals causing hairs. But that should not be a reason not to reap them - after all, they convince with their high content of vital substances. But how can picking be done properly without getting burnt?
Better cut off the whole stems
Picking the individual nettle leaves is less effective. It is better to cut off the entire plant at the stem below. But if you do not want to destroy the whole plant, it is also with detail work.
First put on some leather-covered gloves or thick gardening gloves. Cheap cloth gloves are not enough here. Through this, the stinging hairs of the stinging nettle penetrate easily. Then you pick up a pair of scissors or a knife, grab the plant with one hand, and cut the stem with your other hand.
Without picking gloves
Stinging nettles do not always burn. Anyone who dares can try it without gloves and does not necessarily have to expect wheals afterwards. This is how it works: Pick the leaves from the bottom to the top.
Cover free skin areas better
Attention: Be careful not to wear shorts / dresses or skirts! Sandals not unsuitable for nettle picking. You can also burn yourself on the open areas of the skin as you pass the stinging nettles.
Where and when can you pick plant parts of stinging nettles?
Quickly process the plant parts after picking
Regardless of whether you have harvested whole stems, single leaves, only the upper young shoot tips, inflorescences or seeds - after the harvest you should quickly use or process plant parts. You can, for example, dry them, freeze them, turn them into fresh spinach or cook other recipes with them.
Tips
If you have 'burned' yourself at the stinging nettle: Calm down so that the burning acid helps against rheumatism. You can relieve the itching and burning sensation by applying Aloe Vera Gel to the affected areas.