Stinging Nettle

Last night we went hiking and my husband brushed up against some stinging nettle. It's a plant that has many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on its leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles that inject histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals. The leaves and stems are very hairy with non-stinging hairs and also bear many stinging hairs (trichomes)), whose tips come off when touched, transforming the hair into a needle that will inject several chemicals: acetyl-choline, histamine, 5-HT or serotonin, and possibly formic acid. 

Nasty plant that you really don't want to brush up against. I had my travel sized oils with me. To be honest I take them with me hiking and biking. I pulled out peppermint and lavender. He had two spots. I tried peppermint on one and lavender on the other. He said the peppermint provided instant relief and the lavender worked too, just not as fast. I love the oils. All was good and we hiked on. 

Melaleuca (tea tree oil)

About Melaleuca:

Melaleuca oil or tea tree oil, (TTO) as it is often referred, was named by Captain Cook who often used it as a tea. An Australian chemist, A.R. Penfold, studied tea tree leaves and discovered their antiseptic properties. Tea tree oil subsequently became a standard treatment in Australia for the prevention and treatment of wound infections. During World War II, the Australian government classified tea tree oil as an essential commodity and exempted producers from military service.  Melaleuca has been documented to kill many bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact so it is excellent for cuts, wounds, burns, and anywhere that bacteria might be found. It has a historical use as an antiseptic for the face, skin disorders including acne, and dandruff.  It is effective to use at the onset of flu and cold symptoms.  Will reduce gum inflation and is used for periodontal disease.  DōTerra Melaleuca Essential Oil is from the botanical family Myrtaceae, with the oil being processed by steam distillation from the leaf of the tree.

Typical Applications:

Apply topically and neat (undiluted) to wounds, cuts, bites, fungus, athletes foot, skin disorders, and less severe burns.  Also apply neat to address fungal issues.  Use a carrier when applying to more sensitive areas, especially the genitals for herpes or thrush.  It can be applied neat or with a carrier to the face and neck for skin disorders.  Add a 5% dilution to shampoo to address dandruff problems.  Gargle or oil-push a 5% dilution of melaleuca to effectively address mouth and gum problems.  Melaleuca is an excellent anti-bacterial, effective against virus and supports the immune system when diffused.

I have used Melaleuca on insect bites, ring worm, lacerations, and most recently an earache. My husband started complaining about ear pain and said he was going to Instacare. I thought it must be bad if he's going there. I asked him if we could just try the Melaleuca Oil for a day and if it didn't do anything then go ahead and go to the doctor. I applied the oil all around his ear and then a few drops on some cotton and put the cotton in his ear. I didn't stuff it in there just placed it in softly. His ear ache went away within a day and a half.