Nettles and Dock

[Prudie]

Having just stung myself in nettles while poorly jumping a stream I rubbed my leg with the first dock leaf I could find just as I always have since a child but is there any scientific evidence that dock contains a chemical that neutralises nettle stings or would any leaf do (ie it's just the coolness and moisture that helps)?

[excelsior-1]

i recall reading somewhere a long time ago that it is a chemical neutralising agent contained in the dock leaf

[rsvp]

that's great pusskin if one has a lemon to hand on a hike! - watching the answers with interest - have always wanted to know.

[excelsior-1]

when my god-daughter was about five, we were walking in the countryside - and i remember warning her to stay away from some nettles .."do not touch them" i said. "what -these?" she asked, stroking them. the scream echoes in my head to this day. there were dock leaves nearby, and i hurridly rubbed them into her rapidly reddening spotted palm.

[kawakiri]

Why add an acid (lemon) to counteract what is basically an acid sting, surely a base would be better i.e. baking powder.

[rsvp]

always thought lemon was an antacid - omg have I been wrong all these years?

[Prudie]

Must say if I was at home I'd use afterbite which is definitely alkaline and ammonia based. Antacid means anti-acid doesn't it so lemon isn't one.

[kawakiri]

Dock leaves are actually slightly acidic, so it's probably just the rubbing and possibly a cooling effect that ease a nettle sting.

[Frank97]

I've tried alternative leaves after a nettle sting, they certainly don't work like a doc does.

[kawakiri]

Guess your mind is programmed to trust the dock.

[Huderon]

don't know about scientific evidence as such, but if you go to http://www.thenakedsc...dex.php?topic=20709.0 and scroll down do Don_1's reply, you might find an explanation as to why they work.