Nettle, Closeup
(also referred to as...)
Common Nettle, Great Nettle, Stinging Nettle
Latin Name: Urtica dioica, Urtica urens
Family: Urticaceae
Description
As the 17th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote in 1653, "Stinging nettles need no description; they may be found by feeling, in the darkest night" (The English Physician Enlarged) Urtica is the original Latin name used by Horace and Pliny for the plant. The Latin name "urer" means to burn and refers to the stinging hairs, which in some species contain substances toxic enough to cause death. It was used in cloth manufacture from the Bronze Age to the early 20th century due to the fibrous nature of the plant.
Nettle is a coarse perennial with creeping yellow roots and ovate, deeply toothed leaves covered with bristly, stinging hairs. In summer, minute green flowers are borne in pendulous clusters up to 10cm long. Urtica urens is an annual with similar features and properties.
Nettle is indigenous to North America and Urtica urens in Europe. It grows in waste places everywhere, especially in soils rich in nitrogen and prefers moist soil in sun or partial shade. Nettles can be invasive but are easily controlled by pulling out dormant rhizomes. They provide food for the caterpillars of various butterflies such as red admirals.
New shoots and small leaves can be used fresh or cooked.
The whole plant above the ground is cut as flowering begins in the summer and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, ointments, powders and tinctures.
Nettle
Ailments / Situations Where Used The list is long.
Nettle can be used for eczema, especially nervous eczema, childhood eczema, poison ivy, insect stings, pruritus, burning, itching, as an infusion applied topically as a fomentation, internal hemorrhages, hemorrhoids, uterine hemorrhages (infusion), rheumatism, arthritis and gout diseases of the colon, gastritis, diarrhea, gravel, and nephritic complaints, cystitis, and leucorrhea. Also appropriate for asthma, bronchitis, blood building, iron deficiency, appetite stimulant, anti-diabetic (lowers blood sugar levels), and acts as a nutritive for anemia.
For damaged and thinning hair, take nettle orally as an infusion or a cold infusion or steeped in cider vinegar for 2 weeks and applied as a rinse. May be diluted with rose water/distilled water.
Source
New shoots less than 10cm long, small leaves, aerial (above ground) parts.
Nettle, Seeding
Preparations
Infusion: Add 1 to 3 teaspoons dried herb to 1 cup hot water. Drink three times daily.
Poultice: Use fresh herb.
Tincture: Take 20 to 60 drops three times daily.
The fresh herb may also be used in a poultice as a counter-irritant.
For sunburn, skin irritation, poison ivy et cetera, combine with jewelweed (Impatience carpensi), yarrow, or other astringent, tannin-rich plants.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
There are no known contraindications.
Do not use as counter-irritant on children or fearful adults without consent.
Ailment / Situation Listing
