Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica, often known as common nettle, burn nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. Originally native to Europe, much of temperate Asia and western North Africa, it is now found worldwide.
Buy Stinging Nettle
Scientific Name: Urtic dioica
Parts Used: Leaves, root and seeds
Cautions:
Healing Properties
How to Use:
Herbs are wonderfully versatile and may be used in multiple ways (see list below). However, some methods are better suited to certain herbs than others. Check the HEALING section to see which preparations are recommended for specific uses and conditions.
Grow/Harvest Yourself:
Buy Stinging Nettle
Scientific Name: Urtic dioica
Parts Used: Leaves, root and seeds
Cautions:
- Stings the skin, use gloves when working with fresh nettle.
Healing Properties
- Nutritive, tonic, alterative, adaptogenic, tonic, edible, diuretic.
- A good everyday healthy herb for nutrition, energy and general immunity.
- Combats fevers and chills.
- Used for anemia, gout, arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus.
- Good blood tonic to take during pregnancy or if diabetic.
- Can stimulate milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
- Used for poor circulation, asthma, eczema and skin rashes (especially allergy-related rashes).
- The fresh root is used for water retention, diarrhea, kidney stones, UTI's, cystitis, prostatitis and prostate enlargement.
How to Use:
Herbs are wonderfully versatile and may be used in multiple ways (see list below). However, some methods are better suited to certain herbs than others. Check the HEALING section to see which preparations are recommended for specific uses and conditions.
- Add fresh or dried herb to food and beverages.
- Can be taken in store-bought capsule or extract form.
- Essential Oils: Apply externally
- How to Dry Herbs
- How to Make Herbal Teas/Infusions/Decoctions
- How to Make Herbal Vinegars
- How to Make Herbal Syrups
- How to Make Herbal Tinctures & Glycerites
- How to Make Herbal Infused Oils
- How to Make Herbal Ointments & Creams
- How to Make Herbal Poultices & Compresses
- How to Make Herbal Electuaries & Oxymels
- How to Make Herbal Lozenges, Gummies, Capsules
- How to Make Herbal Baths, Steams & Hair Rinses
Grow/Harvest Yourself:
- Buy Stinging Nettle Seeds
- Leaves: harvest young leaves before plant flowers in spring (use gloves!). Can still harvest after flowering, but not as potent.
- Flowers: harvest while flowering in summer (use gloves!)
- Root: harvest in the fall (use gloves!)
- If you happen to get stung by the plant, the juice of the plant is said to be an antidote.
- Zone: 3
- Rich, moist soil
- Full sun to partial shade