When I first came to Germany I realised that most people here did not have a clue about old herbal remedies.  I remember years ago being with a crowd of other children and mothers when a small girl fell into nettles and was covered in stings, obviously screaming and not one mother knew what to do. 

I scooped up a handful of dock leaves, scrunched them up and started gently rubbing the leaves on the girl’s skin over the rashes.  Within a few minutes the little girl stopped crying and went merrily on her way to continue playing. 

Unfortunately, instead of being thanked for helping, I was shunned and all the mothers looked at me as though I just escaped from the local loony bin, they walked gingerly away and left me standing there, alone, with my two sons.

Since then I have managed to explain to the locals that nature provides many instant remedies for burns and stings.  People are more accepting of my witchy herblore ways now as I have helped many, many people since then and have now built up trust throughout the community.

However, for those who still don’t know what I am talking about. I decided to take these photos this morning and share the knowledge of natural healing with nature.

Stinging Nettles.
Can cause nasty burning sensation and intense itchy rash when contact with the skin.  Notice the Dock Plant to the right on the photo.
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Dock Leaves.
These are found in and around patches of stinging nettles.  These plants can be quite small but also quite large. They are broad leafed, smooth, and often have mottled red patches on the leaf.
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Pick a Dock Leaf.
Scrunch it up in your hand to release the natural oil.  Gently rub on the skin that has been affected by stinging nettles.  Then wrap the leaf around the area for a few minutes.  The sting should disappear in under a minute and the rash should go down within 5 minutes.
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I hope this has helped those of you who don’t know this instant remedy.  Try it, it really works.