Toys from nature: The stinging nettle

“Toys from nature: The stinging nettle“ was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.

Nature is full of hidden treasures, and that goes for challenging BDSM toys too. In the series "Toys from nature", today's focus is on "the stinging nettle".

The stinging nettle

Another wonderfully cheap (read: free) torture tool: the stinging nettle! The little plant grows everywhere you don't want it, so picking it is always a win/win situation. It makes the skin itch terribly, and afterwards the body glows deliciously. By the way, did you know that nettles make the nipples more sensitive? And that this goes even more for the labia? You get super sensitive labia from it! And your penis will be harder and thicker than you ever dared to dream. Simply with a bed of nettles. And afterwards you just make tea out of them. Or soup. Healthy too!

When does the stinging nettle grow?

The stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a plant that grows most actively in spring and summer. From March the young shoots start to come up, and they can keep growing until autumn. The flowering season is usually from June to September. During this period you can see nettles in full glory, often with small, greenish flowers.

Stinging nettles are widespread and grow in various places. You often find them in damp, nitrogen-rich soil, such as along the banks of ditches and rivers, in woods, along paths and in gardens. They often grow in dense clusters and can quickly overrun an area when conditions are favourable.

Why does the stinging nettle sting?

The stinging nettle stings because of the stinging hairs on its leaves and stems. These hairs are actually tiny needles filled with a mixture of histamine, formic acid, serotonin and other irritating substances. When you touch the plant, the little hairs break off and inject these substances into your skin, causing a burning, itching sensation.

What can you do about the itching?

Do you feel sorry for your sub, who is jumping around from the itch? Or did you use them on someone for whom it turned out to be a big NO-GO? Oops... luckily there are several ways to relieve the itching and burning sensation of a nettle sting:

1. Vinegar or lemon juice
   These acidic substances can help neutralise the pH of your skin and reduce the itching.

2. Plants such as plantain or dead-nettle
   You can often find these in nature close to stinging nettles. Their sap can offer relief from nettle stings.

3. Cold water or a cold compress
   This can relieve the swelling and itching.

4. Antihistamine cream
   You can get this at the pharmacy, and it helps reduce the itching.

Dead-nettles often grow in the same habitats as stinging nettles and can easily be confused with them, especially because of their similar leaf structure. However, the absence of stinging on contact is a clear indication that you are dealing with a dead-nettle.

Mistress Moriah

Source

Text and images: Mrs Moriah