STINGING NETTLE Urtica dioica

Dear stinging nettle, you are a plant much maligned by many, myself included. Yes I am intending to change my ways. Even though, uninvited, you have made yourself quite comfortable all through my orchard, and appear to take some pleasure in traumatising many an unsuspecting child by brushing against their legs and delivering your surprise attack. I’m thankful, there’s always some dock growing nearby or some of my everyday balm on hand to soothe the pain, but more often it’s the fright that lingers. You’re not shy are you, of dispensing your healing gift and I suppose that is how mankind discovered all those aeons ago what it was you really wanted to say. After receiving multiple stings from your delicate leaves some longstanding joint pain would miraculously disappear for days, weeks or even months. It was hence named urtication, after you of course, and folk would flail themslves with your leafy branches wherever they had pain and inflammation. I hope I’m forgiven all those times I cursed you, as your butterfly-wing leaves glanced against my skin reminding me of your unique personal signature. For more details read the full post.

Many of our plant medicines have historically been used for a multitude of ailments. In these blogs I focus on those conditions that are quite particular to the plant in question. For stinging nettle it’s rheumatic/arthritic pain and inflammation including gout as well as for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Let’s get preventative and take a blood purifying nettle tonic for an annual spring clean.?

Family; Urticiaceae

Common names; Stinging nettle, burn nettle, common nettle, nettle.

Description; Nettle is an herbaceous perennial, with heart shaped finely toothed leaves, 1-6inches long which taper to a point. The leaves are borne opposite and are green, soft and papery. In Summer the plant can grow to 2 to 3 feet in height with erect, four-angled, downy stems. Both leaves and stems are covered with tiny stinging hairs. These hairs are hollow and deliver a painful sting when brushed up against. The nettle is dioecious which means plants are either male or female. The female flowers which spring from the axils of the leaves appear in long green dense clusters. The loose racemes of male flowers have stamens only and on unfolding, scatter the pollen into the air. The nettle’s roots are a creeping rhizome which ensure rapid naturalisation

Parts used; whole plant; leaves, stems, flowers, seeds and roots.

Preparations; teas/ tisanes, fresh/dried plant, powders, capsules/tablets, homeopathic remedies, tinctures/extracts, urtication/poultices, creams/balms, shampoos/conditioners/hair lotions

Habitat; stinging nettle originates from Europe and Asia but has colonised all temperate regions of the world. It prefers damp nutrient-rich soils but can be found in a wide range of soils and conditions. It settles under hedges, in open meadows and grasslands, along streams and in waste-lands.

Traditional and Historical uses; in folk medicine nettles have been used for centuries as a diuretic, a blood tonic, and most famously for rheumatism, gout and arthritis. The Ancient Egyptians used nettle for arthritis and lumbago. First century Greek physicians Dioscorides and Galen used and promoted the nettle for it’s diuretic, laxative and lung strengthening capacities. The Roman soldiers brought their own nettles to Britain to treat by urtication their weary and aching legs during the long winter marches. The early Americans used the nettle for the war wounded by making poultices for bleeding wounds. Traditionally used for prostate gland support. Nettle is a traditional remedy for scurvy

Therapeutic actions; diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory (by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins), astringent, anti-dandruff, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-ulcer, anti-allergenic ( histamines can act on allergic rhinitis & seasonal allergies), analgesic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, blood tonic and cleanser, antidiabetic.

Constituents; formic acid, histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, flavonoides, silicic acid, sterols, lectins, lignans, polysaccharides, hydroxycoumarins, volatile oils. Vitamins A, C & K. Potassium, iron & silica.

Medical uses; in Germany stinging nettle is widely used for prostate disorders and as a diuretic. As an ingredient in herbal medicines for rheumatic complaints and inflammatory conditions.

Current herbal uses; Externally; nettles are still used for urtication which is the external application of the active plant, by rubbing or beating on the affected area. Urtication is used for rheumatism, arthritis, gout, inflamed and painful joints etc. In shampoos for dandruff and oily hair. Ointments, balms and rubs used for aches and pains. Internally; Silicon in stinging nettle is said to increase bone density. For hay fever, for benign prostatic hyperplasia. In inflammatory conditions such as rheumatism and gout, nettle can increase uric acid excretion by the kidneys. May help increase milk production in lactating women. A general blood cleanser and spring tonic

Gardening Applications; as a liquid fertilizer in organic gardening being high in silica (strengthens plant fibres) and as an activator for the compost heap. Nettle is also a valuable food for several species of butterfly, providing larval food for among others the Peacock Butterfly (Europe), the Small Tortoiseshell and here in New Zealand, the Red and Yellow Admiral. As an aside I also like to keep some ragwort growing for the Admirals as well.

Food uses; as a green vegetable, in soups and stews. When cooked or dried the stinging effect is neutralised. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots.

Tender spring growth.

Other uses; The plants are grown commercially for extraction of the chlorophyll which is used as a green colouring agent.   Nettle fibre was once used to manufacture cloth, from fine linen to coarse sacking.

Recipes; as a spring tonic, and a blood purifier take a nettle tea/infusion first thing in the morning for a month. To make; pick a small handful of fresh leaves (carefully to avoid getting stung) or use 1 tbsp dried leaves. Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over the leaves, cover and leave to stand for 30 minutes. Strain and drink 1/2 to 1 cup.

Contra-indications; nettle may compete with diabetic medications, blood thinners, and heart medications and lower blood pressure. If you are using herbal/medicine plants and also taking prescription drugs you need to work with your doctor as it’s quite likely that you will be able to decrease the pharma meds as your body responds to the herbal medicines.

Naturally by Trisha products containing stinging nettle; Aches and Pains balm, shampoo bars.