Medicinal Herbs - Stinging Nettle

Updated: Feb 13, 2024

Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica)

Part Used: Dried aerial parts (picked in summer) & root, Shoots (picked in spring) to eat

Height: 3-7ft tall

Preparation: Tea or soup, Tonic (leaf)

Companion: Calendula, yellow dock

Actions:

Rich in iron, calcium & silica
Safe to consume in large amounts
Infusion makes effective hair rinse
Juice of leaf cures nettle sting
High levels of histamine & serotonin in stinging hairs
Ancient practice of flaying an arthritic joint w nettle leaves in order to treat pain & stiffness
Above was recently confirmed in double-blind clinical trial
Supports tissue repair
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-spasmodic (root)
Anti-allergenic activity
Use for hay fever & asthma
Blood cleaners
Diuretic = increased production of urine (fresh root)
Treats:
Enlarged prostate (tincture, can combine with Saw Palmetto)
Difficulty in passing urine or poor urine flow
Anemia (and prevents)
Rheumatic problems
Stiff & inflamed joints
Gout
Pain & inflammation (apply infusion topically)
Varicose veins (apply infusion topically)
Stops bleeding (taken orally) from wounds & nosebleeds
Heavy menstrual bleeding