NETTLE Urtica dioca, L.( N. O.: Urticaceae)
Common Names: Great Stinging Nettle, Great Nettle. Features: Nine of thirty species of Urtica, a herbaceous plant or shrub of the Urticaceae family, are found in temperate regions of the United States and Canada, in waste places, beside hedges and gardens. The most common is Urtica dioica, the stinging nettle, which grows to a height of almost 3 ft. The root of this pereninal is creeping and branching. The dull green stem is usually covered with stinging hairs which pierce the skin and emit an acrid fluid when touched, causing pain. When the Nettle is grasped in such a way as to press the hairs to the stem, however, no stinging occurs. The leaves of stinging nettle are coarse, opposite and conspicuously acuminate. The small green flowers can be seen from June to September. Always use your tender leaves. The Scots and Irish use the young leaves for greens, the French prepare seven different dishes from the tops. Medicinal Parts: The roots and leaves. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Diuretic, Astringent, Tonic, Pectoral. Uses: The Indians used Nettle as a counter-irritant when in pain, by striking affected parts with the branches. A root decoction was made to bathe rheumatic pains and joint stiffness. Pounded leaves rubbed on limbs, and hot poultices of the bruised leaves were also used to dress rheumatic discomfort. Nettle is an excellent styptic, checking the flow of blood from the surface almost immediately upon application of the powdered root or leaves softened and bruised.( If the fresh leaves are left on too long they will encourage water blisters.) For spitting of blood and all haemorrhages of the lungs, stomach and urinary organ, this is one of the most powerful agents in the vegetable materia medica.
Dr. George P. Wood, M. D., and Dr. E. H. Ruddock, M. D.,“ Vitalogy”( 1925) relay the following:“ For haemorrhages the express juice of the fresh leaves is regarded as more effective than the decoction, given in teaspoonful doses every hour or as often as the nature of the case requires.” In decoction, Nettle is valuable in diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, neuralgia, gravel, inflammation of the kidney. Tea made from the young or dried root is of great help in dropsy of the first stages. A herbal Nettle tea will expel phlegm from the lungs and stomach and will clean the urinary canal. The seeds are used in coughs and shortness of breath. Dose: Of the decoction, from 2 – 4 fl. oz. Of the powdered root or leaves, 20 – 40 grains. Externally: J. Kloss, in“ Back to Eden”, says:“ Use nettle simmered for 30 minutes and massage into the scalp after rinsing the hair to bring back the natural colour.” For those suffering from rheumatism, without any relief, rub or stick the troubled part with fresh nettles for a few minutes daily. The relief of joint pain will often surrender to a few moments of unpleasant stinging.