Stinging Nettle
Information about properties also applies to Annual Nettle U. urens
Botanical name: Urtica dioica
Family: Nettle (Urticaceae)
Collectability: plentiful, common, widespread, good, weed
Main benefit
Very nutritious. General tonic, blood and tissue cleanser, and beneficial for the adrenal glands and the immune, endocrine, nervous, urinary and digestive system. May protect neighbouring plants from fungal attack. Good wildlife plant.
Use - overview
Features and Identification
Habitat
Type: waste ground
Distribution: temperate world
Prefers: manure, urine, phosphate rich soil
Other: patch forming
General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 1.2 meters
Other: stinging hairs
Leaf
Shape: heart
Texture:hairy
Arrangement: opposite on short stalks
Edge: toothed
Root
Type: rhizome
Colour: yellow
Depth: very deep
Flower
Diameter: tiny
Arrangement: drooping spikes
When: May to October
Colour:
Type: waste ground
Distribution: temperate world
Prefers: manure, urine, phosphate rich soil
Other: patch forming
General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 1.2 meters
Other: stinging hairs
LeafShape: heart
Texture:hairy
Arrangement: opposite on short stalks
Edge: toothed
RootType: rhizome
Colour: yellow
Depth: very deep
FlowerDiameter: tiny
Arrangement: drooping spikes
When: May to October
Colour:
Caution Notes
Contact with plant causes irritation.Older leaves contain cystoliths, gritty particles - a kidney irritant.
Irritating hairs contain formic acid and other irritants which are destroyed by cooking or drying.
When Available?
February to October - best February to early June
June to October
all year June to OctoberParts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use
Culinary Use
Flavour
Rating and Description:
spinach-like, coarse
How to Consume
raw dried, cooked (about 6 minutes), juice, tea, leaf curd
sprouted
Special preparation
must be cooked, dried or juiced to destroy the irritants or make them ineffective
Nutrition
One of the most nutritious greens available. Rich in minerals, especially iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium; vitamins A, B complex and C, protein
Used as ...
food, beverage
food
Rating and Description:
spinach-like, coarseHow to Consume
raw dried, cooked (about 6 minutes), juice, tea, leaf curd sproutedSpecial preparation
must be cooked, dried or juiced to destroy the irritants or make them ineffectiveNutrition
One of the most nutritious greens available. Rich in minerals, especially iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium; vitamins A, B complex and C, protein
Used as ...
food, beverage food
Medicinal Use
Action:
Plant: antiasthmatis, anti-diarrhoea, anti-inflammatory, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactagogue, haemostatic, lithontripic, tonic
anti-fungal
May treat or helps with:
blood forming, stimulates digestion, regulates blood pressure and blood sugar, improves circulation, inflammation
Internal: anaemia, asthma, arthritis, cystitis, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, skin complaints, hay fever, stress
External (infusion, juice): skin complaints, gout, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, bites, stings, burns
Leaves brushed over skin: increases circulation and helps with rheumatic conditions
enlargement of prostate gland
bed wetting
Plant: antiasthmatis, anti-diarrhoea, anti-inflammatory, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactagogue, haemostatic, lithontripic, tonic
anti-fungalMay treat or helps with:
blood forming, stimulates digestion, regulates blood pressure and blood sugar, improves circulation, inflammationInternal: anaemia, asthma, arthritis, cystitis, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, skin complaints, hay fever, stress
External (infusion, juice): skin complaints, gout, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, bites, stings, burns
Leaves brushed over skin: increases circulation and helps with rheumatic conditions
enlargement of prostate gland bed wetting
Other Use
Plant (not the seed): liquid plant feed (macerated in water), insect repellant, compost
juice: rennet substitute, green dye
fibre for cordage, cloth or paper
yellow dye (with alum), fungicide
in poultry mash increases egg laying; oil: lighting
juice: rennet substitute, green dye fibre for cordage, cloth or paper yellow dye (with alum), fungicide in poultry mash increases egg laying; oil: lighting
Collection, Storing and Notes
Collection
With rubber, plastic or leather gloves to protect from stings. Cut up to twice per year without exhausting plant.
For food: before flowering to avoid cystoliths.
Drying
Dry in shade
With rubber, plastic or leather gloves to protect from stings. Cut up to twice per year without exhausting plant.
For food: before flowering to avoid cystoliths.Drying
Dry in shade
Key
Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed
Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use
Other:
caution
leaf stem or trunk sap root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts flower fruit seedParts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use medicinal use household useOther:
caution
Glossary
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- anti-asthmatic: treats asthma
- anti-diarrhoea: treats diarrhoea - see also astringent
- anti-fungal: inhibits or destroys fungi
- anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc. (see also demulcent, emollient)
- astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
- depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
- diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
- galactagogue: stimulates the production of breast milk or increases milk flow
- haemostatic: controls bleeding (see astringent)
- lithontripic: helps prevent and removes stones from kidneys, bladder etc.
- tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement
