Home :: Nettles

Nettles (Stinging) - Benefits And Side Effects

Botanical name: Urtica dioica

Actions: Astringent, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, hemostatic, nutritive and tonic

Parts used : Leaves.

Nettle is a leafy plant that is found in most temperate regions of the world. The Latin root of Urtica is uro, meaning "I burn," indicative of the small stings caused by the little hairs on the leaves of this plant that burn when contact is made with the skin. The root and leaves of nettle are used in herbal medicine.

Stinging nettle is the name given to common nettle, garden nettle, and hybrids of these two plants. Originally from the colder regions of northern Europe and Asia, today this herbaceous shrub grows all over the world. Stinging nettle grows well in nitrogen-rich soil, blooms between June and September, and reaches nearly 3 feet high.

The branching stems underground multiply by themselves and have multiple shoots. The leaves are heart-shaped, finely toothed, and tapered at the ends. The entire plant is covered with tiny stinging hairs, mostly on the underside of the leaves and stem.

Medical uses and benefits of Nettles

• A highly nutritive herb with a broad range of actions.
• Nettles has an alkalizing effect upon the body.
• Used to increase circulation.
• A specific for arthritis and rheumatism.
• Great for the joints.
• Used in pain and inflammation issues.
• One of the few herbs for the thyroid gland.
• A strong detoxifier of the skin.
• Being alkaline it neutralizes acids (like uric and sulfuric acids).
• Somewhat of a hemostatic (stops bleeding).
• Feeds the body nutrition, especially potassium and iron (although it is also full of minerals).
• Useful in circulation issues, somewhat of a vasodilator.
• Promotes the flow of urine and is useful for kidney stones.
• Shrinks swollen tissues.
• Excellent for pregnancy, nutrition, and for anti-abortive issues.
• Used in cases of bronchitis especially asthma, emphysema and C.O.P.D.
• Nettles is an expectorant (removes mucus) and has antispasmodic properties.
• Used for anemia.
• A great blood purifier and body regulator.

Cautions

• Nettle may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some people.
• In a few individuals, exposure to the histamine in fresh nettles can be extremely dangerous. However, in the dried or cooked state nettles are completely non-toxic and may be eaten freely as a vegetable or drunk as an infusion.