A British forager has explained the health benefits of stinging nettles (stock) (Image: Getty Images)
A wild foraging expert who stuffs stinging nettles into his socks has told others to “never underestimate the power” of the common .
Jack, who shares health advice based on natural elements he encounters during his escapades in Britain’s wilderness, recently spoke about the benefits of nettles on his account (@wildforageruk).
In a video, he is seen barefoot in the forest, deliberately brushing his feet against nettles before picking some and tucking them into his socks.
“You may be wondering why I’m doing this,” he said. “What if I told you how good these are for you?” Jack explained: “They’re so good for and blocking the enzymes and getting the blood to flow through the areas and joints where you’re suffering with pain.”
Despite the prickling discomfort, Jack donned his socks again, asserting: “This is critical. This is free medicine. If you are suffering with arthritis, I really do recommend you come out and try this – I have so many people now doing this and benefitting from a nettle sting and living a comfier life.”
And to drive his message home, Jack also applied nettles to his arms and face, claiming that the plant is “amazing for our skin, for our joints, and for our everyday living”. He concluded: “Also, if you suffer from hay fever, it’s absolutely amazing as a natural antihistamine.”
And charity Versus Arthritis endorses Jack’s natural remedy, with their detailing: “Nettle leaves are covered in tiny hairs which have a high silicon content, meaning they’re extremely brittle. When the leaf touches your skin, the round tips of the hairs break off.
“The sharp point of the hair then enters your skin and several chemicals, including histamine and serotonin, are produced. These chemicals can help to reduce pain by stimulating pain neurons, so the skin irritation overrides musculoskeletal pain.”
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One impressed user spoke from experience positively: “I was suffering from knee pains last week when I went to Richmond Park. I just rubbed my knees to the nettle plant and I was wondering all pain has gone, this is magic mate absolutely worked for me.”
Another commented: “That’s old knowledge and it’s true facts… my grandmother and mother told me about benefits of rubbing it on your skin.” While a third user testified: “I’ve done that and it works!”