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Information about the herb Nettles
Urtica urens, also known as Common Nettle is part of the Urticaceae plant family. Nettles is a perennial plant found throughout the world growing in waste land in the
temperate regions of Europe, Asia, Japan, Australia, South Africa, United States
and the Andes.
Botanical Name: Urtica urens, Urtica dioica
Plant Family: Urticaceae
Common Names: Common Nettle, Common Stinging Nettle, Great Stinging Nettle, Stinging Nettle
History: Nettles' history dates back to at least the time of Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain when his soldiers brought the seed with them to have the plant to rub and chafe their limbs during times of extreme cold to help circulation.
The plant has always followed man in his migrations and its presence usually indicates a soil rich in nitrogen.
- In Scandinavia it used to be spun into a thread
- In Scotland sheets and tablecloths were once made from it
Tradition: Nettle was
- burned during ceremonies for exorcism
- gathered before sunrise and fed to cattle to drive evil spirits from them
- placed in an amulet and sent back to the sender of a curse or bad spell to end the negativity
- sprinkled around a room to protect it
In old herbals it was recommended for 'the stings and bites of venomous creatures and mad dogs and an antidote to poisoning by Hemlock, Henbane and Nightshade'.
Contains:
- an acrid fluid [venom]
- active principle bicarbonate of ammonia, which causes irritation and inflammation
- carbonic acid
- chlorophyll
- ethyl alcohol
- formic acid
- iron (very high source of digestible iron)
- mineral salts
- mucilage
- phosphates
- protein
- starch
- sugar
- Vitamin C
- water
Action:
- antiscorbutic [a source of Vitamin C for curing or preventing scurvy]
- astringent [an agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the secretion and expulsion of urine]
- galactagogue [an agent that encourages or increases the secretion of milk]
- hemostatic [an agent that stops bleeding]
- rubefacient [a gentle local irritant that produces blisters, inflammation and reddening of the skin]
- tonic [an agent that strengthens or invigorates organs or the entire organism]
Medicinal Parts Used: The whole plant (flowers, leaves, seeds)
Nettles are used for:
Blood Conditions
- anemia
- blood in the urine
- hemorrhages or blood loss
- hemorrhages of the uterus
- hemorrhoids
Cardiovascular Conditions
- high blood pressure
- improves circulation
Female Conditions
- excessive menstrual flow
- menstrual difficulties
- premenstrual syndrome
- promotes milk flow in nursing mothers
- support during pregnancy
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- diarrhea
- stimulates the digestive system
Genitourinary Tract System Conditions
- gout
- improves kidney function
- urinary tract problems
Glandular Conditions
- stimulates the pancreas in the control of blood sugar levels
Inflammatory Conditions
- reduces susceptibility to rheumatic complaints
- rheumatism
Liver Conditions
- liver problems
Male Conditions
- enlarged prostate (often combined with Saw Palmetto and Willow Herb)
Metabolic Conditions
- diabetes
Respiratory System Conditions
- asthma
- clears breasts and lungs of all mucous
- coughs
- hay fever and allergies
- prevents colds
- shortness of breath
Skin Conditions
- eczema
- nettle rash
- psoriasis
Other
- edema
- fatigue
- muscular pains
- restores vitality
- scurvy
Externally: Nettles is used in infusion form
- applied to burns (cloths soaked in extract)
- applied to the scalp (diluted) for loss of hair to stimulate hair growth
- as a hair rinse to treat dandruff, combined with Rosemary
- for circulation to the scalp
It is used is used as a compress to treat:
- arthritis
- neuralgia
Other Uses:
- curdles milk (substitute for rennet in cheese making in Judea)
- dye, green
- dye, yellow (if boiled with Alum)
- hair shampoo and tonic
- in soil testing its presence usually indicates a soil rich in nitrogen
- Nettle Beer
- nutritional salad from young shoots or leaves
- poultry feed (mixed with feed increases egg production)
- stock feed (seed mixed with feed gives animals' coats a glossy sheen)
- textile fiber (similar to hemp and flax)
Caution: Do not use old plants uncooked as they can cause
- kidney damage
- symptoms of poisoning
- Severe irritation and blistering can occur from contact with the fresh plant
Global Herbal Supplies has Nettles available in the following forms
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
