Scientists from the Victoria Medical Center in the United Kingdom found that sorrel or lettuce leaves help relieve burning and itching after a nettle sting. Research results published In Emergency Medicine Journal (EMJ).
Nine healthy emergency room physicians participated in the study. Subjects rubbed freshly picked nettle stalks over the skin of their forearms several times. The burn areas were then treated by rubbing two leaves of sorrel or lettuce. However, subjects did not know which of the two plants was in contact with the skin of either hand.
Following the experimental treatment, subjects were asked to guess which hand had been treated with sorrel. Participants also rated the effectiveness of the treatment on a scale of one to five (zero representing no discomfort and five representing the worst possible discomfort) according to the level of discomfort felt on each of two areas of skin.
Three participants correctly indicated which hand was treated with sorrel, three were incorrect, and the rest “couldn’t guess” which product was used. The results showed that the average absolute reduction in itch scores five minutes after treatment was three points for sorrel and two points for lettuce. The researchers found that when both sorrel and lettuce were used, discomfort from the nettle sting decreased within 15-20 minutes.
Scientists noted that inaction could perhaps bring relief just as quickly. But for children who do not want to endure discomfort and pain for a long time, rubbing sorrel or lettuce leaves may be helpful. The researchers also suggested that the therapeutic effect is due to the cooling and relaxing properties of the juice evaporated from the crushed leaves.
Earlier scientists clarified Genetic mechanisms of medicinal properties of ginseng.