Herb Database Entry - Nettle (Urtica)

URTICA-(Nettle)

(Urticaceae)

�� A genus of about 50 annuals and perennials, widespread in temperate regions. U. dioica, found throughout Eurasia, is an all-too-familiar weed of human habitation, thriving in the nitrogen-rich soil of cultivated land. As Culpeper wrote, Stinging Nettles "Need no description; they may be found by feeling, in the darkest night" (The English Physitian Enlarged, or the Herball, 1653). Culpeper also said nettles eaten in spring "Consume the plegmatic superfluities in the body of man that the coldness and moistness of winter hath left behind." Urtica is the original Latin name used by Horace and Pliny for the plant. The name comes from the Latin Urere, ("to burn"), and refers to the stinging hairs, which in some species contain substances toxic enough to cause death.

�� U. dioica is a fibrous plant, used in cloth manufacture from the Bronze Age to the early 20th century. The fibrous leaves and stalks have been made into cloth, muslin nets and paper-in the First World War the Germans used nettles to make sail cloths, sacking and army uniforms.

�� Nettles were brought to England by the Romans under Julius Caesar; they used the particularly cruel nettle V. pilulifera to flog themselves to keep warm and to ward off illness caused by cold damp weather, such as colds, chest infections and arthritis. Galen recommended stinging the skin in similar fashion to stimulate the circulation in the 2nd century AD as an aphrodisiac.

�� The young shoots and leaves are highly nutritious in spring soups and as a green vegetable, and have been used in beers, cheeses and shampoos. It is rich in vitamins, notably A and C, and minerals, especially iron; it also contains indoles (mainly histamine and serotonin) and large amounts of chlorophyll. U. urens (Annual Nettle) and U. pilulifera (Roman Nettle) have similar properties to U. dioica. Taken internally, nettles make an excellent detoxifying remedy and spring tonic. By stimulating the action of the liver and kidneys, they help to cleanse the body of toxins and wastes. By increasing excretion of uric acid throughout the kidneys, they help to relieve gout and arthritis. Their astringent properties reduce bleeding internally and externally; the fresh juice or tea can be applied to cuts and wounds, piles, burns and scalds, to stop bleeding and speed healing. They stimulate milk production in nursing mothers and have been used to regulate periods. When taken as a hot tea, nettles also help to clear catarrhal congestion and reduce fevers, and they make a good remedy for allergies such as eczema, asthma and hay fever.

Urtica dioica

(Stinging nettle, Nettle)

�� Nettle grows in temperate regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere, Southern Africa, the Andes, and Australia. Young shoots are picked in spring for use as a tonic and a vegetable. Aerial parts and leaves are picked in summer when the plant is in flower. The root is harvested in autumn.

�� Well known for its sting, Nettle has long been appreciated for its medicinal uses. In the 1st century AD, the Greek physician Dioscorides listed a range of uses - the fresh, chopped leaves as a plaster for septic wounds, the juice for nosebleeds, and the cooked leaves mixed with Myrrh to stimulate menstruation.

�� Today, nettle is used for hay-fever, arthritis, anemia, and, surprisingly, even for some skin conditions.

�� The annual Nettle (U.� urens) is used in similar ways to U. dioica, and is also used in homeopathy. Roman Nettle (U.� pilulifera) was the species most used by the Romans for "urtication" (beating with nettles to encourage blood to the surface), which they did to keep warm.

�� Nettle's key use is as a cleansing, detoxifying herb. It has a diuretic action, possibly due to its flavonoids and high potassium content, and increases urine production and the elimination of waste products. It helps many skin conditions-for example, childhood eczema-and arthritic problems, especially when poor kidney function and fluid retention are features.

�� Nettle slows or stops bleeding from wounds and nosebleeds, and is good for heavy menstrual bleeding.

�� Nettle is anti-allergenic. It treats hay fever, asthma, itchy skin conditions, and insect bites. The juice can be used to treat Nettle stings.

�� The leaves help anemia and improve breast-milk production.

�� The root is now used to treat enlarged prostate.

�� Coarse perennial with creeping yellow roots and ovate, deeply toothed leaves covered with bristly, stinging hairs. in summer, minute green flowers, with male and female on separate plants, are borne in pendulous clusters up to 4 in. (10 cm.) long.

HEIGHT:� 5 feet,�� SPREAD:� Indefinite.

PARTS USED:�� Whole plant, leaves, and flowers.

CONSTITUENTS: Aerial parts: Flavonoids (Quercitin), Amines (histamine, choline, acetylcholine, serotonin) Glucoquinone, minerals (calcium, potassium, silicic acid, iron). Root: Plant sterols (stigmast-4-en-zone and stigmasterol), phenols.

KEY ACTIONS:� Diuretic, tonic, astringent, prevents hemorrhaging, anti-allergenic, increases breast-milk production (leaf), reduces prostate enlargement (root).

PROPAGATION:� By seed sown in spring, or by division in spring.

SPACING:�� 12-36 in. apart.

CULTIVATION:� Moist, nitrogen-rich soil in sun, or dappled shade. Cut stands of nettles in summer to provide a second crop of new leaves. Nettles are invasive but are easily controlled by pulling out dormant rhizomes.

COMPANION PLANTING:� They provide food for the caterpillars of various butterflies, such as red admirals.

HARVEST:�� Whole plants for medicinal use are cut as flowering begins in summer and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, ointments, powders, and tinctures. For culinary use, pick young leaf tips from plants less than 4 in. (10 cm.) high, before they develop oxalate crystals.

PROPERTIES:�� Astringent, diuretic, tonic herb, controls bleeding, clears toxins, & slightly reduces blood pressure & blood sugar levels; It is rich in vitamins, notably A & C, and minerals, especially iron; it also contains indoles (mainly histamine & serotonin) & large amounts of chlorophyll.

CULINARY:�� �Young leaf tips are cooked as a� spinach-like vegetable, pureed for soup, and used to make nettle beer. Raw leaves are highly irritant, and recommendations for using them chopped in salads and soft cheeses should be disregarded. Older leaves contain crystals of calcium oxalate that give a gritty texture, even after cooking. Leaves are dried for tea, which is bland and non-aromatic; it may be added to Indian tea as a tonic.

ECONOMIC:�� Plants are processed commercially for extraction of chlorophyll, which is used as a coloring agent in foods and medicines.

MEDICINAL:�� Internally for anemia, hemorrhage (especially of the uterus) excessive menstruation, hemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, and skin complaints (especially eczema). Externally for arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, hemorrhoids, scalp & hair problems, burns, insect bites, and nosebleed. Combines well with Arctium lappa for eczema.

RESEARCH:

�� Research into nettle root in the US, Germany, and Japan has established its value as a medicine for benign prostate hypertrophy (enlargement).

KEY PREPARATIONS & THEIR USES:

�� Aerial parts are eaten as a tonic vegetable and used to make medicinal preparations.

�� High levels of nutrients are concentrated in the leaves.

�� Root has important properties that make it useful for prostate problems.

�� Decoction of root:� For enlarged prostate, take 1 cup daily.

�� Ointment of leaves: For eczema, rub liberally.

�� Soup with nettle leaves, carrots, and onions is rich in iron. Drink regularly.

�� Capsules of Root: For heavy menstruation, take a 100 mg capsule 3 times a day.

�� Infusion of leaves: Drink 200 ml daily as a tonic.

�� Tincture of root: Helps allergies and skin conditions.

For hay fever, take 1 tsp. diluted with 100 ml water twice a day.

�� Allergic rhinitis, including hay fever, Make an infusion. Take 3-4 cups a day for up to 3 months at a time.

Alternatively, make an infusion using 1 tsp. of Nettle and 1 tsp. of Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) to 2 cups of water and take daily for 3 months at a time.

�� Anemia due to heavy menstrual bleeding, make an infusion using 25g of nettle to 750 ml of water. Sip the whole dose at intervals throughout the day.

�� Bites & stings, make an infusion and drink 3 cups a day, or,

take 1 tsp. of tincture with water 3 times a day for up to 3 days.

�� Diaper rash & inflamed skin rashes, make an infusion with 1 level tsp. of Nettle, and 1 level tsp. of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) with 1 cup of water. Give 1-2 cups a day.
NOTE: dose given for children 1-6-year-olds. For 6-12 months, give 1/3 dose. For 7-13 yrs. give 1 1/2 dose.

�� Wheezing & shortness of breath, make an infusion using 15g each of Nettle and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) to 750 ml of water and drink throughout the day.

�� Prevention of nosebleeds, make an infusion using 25g of nettle to 750 ml of water, take up to 4 cups a day.

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