Nettle has been long appreciated for its medicinal uses, despite its reputation of causing itching, redness, and swelling on the skin after contact with its hair-like leaves. However, once it is processed into a supplement, decoction, ointment, soup, capsules, or tincture, stinging nettle can be safely consumed and used to treat common ailments. Nettle can be used to treat septic wounds, nosebleeds, hay fever, arthritis, anemia, and even some skin conditions.
History & Folklore
Still used in herbal medicine today, the use of Nettle has been recorded as far back as the Bronze age. In fact, between 58 and 45 BCE, there are records of the stinging properties of Nettle being used to assist Julius Caesar’s troops stay awake and alert throughout the night. In the first and second centuries, Greek physicians Dioscorides and Galen reported the use of Nettle leaf for its diuretic and laxative properties and for the treatment of respiratory issues.
Habitat & Cultivation
Nettle was originally found in the cooler regions of northern Europe, Asia, and the United states; today it can be found growing worldwide. Nettle flourishes in temperate climates where it can receive plenty of nutrients, sunlight, and moisture. Nettle plants begin to grow in early spring and continue to flourish until the last frost of the year. The flowers of the stinging nettle bloom between June and September. Shoots are picked in the spring and aerial parts are picked in summer both to be used as a tonic or a vegetable, and the root is harvested in autumn for tinctures.
Uses
Cleansing Properties Nettle is traditionally known for its cleansing properties as a detoxifying herb; diuretic, elimination of waste products, skin conditions, and arthritic problems
Astringent Nettle can slow or stop bleeding; making it ideal for wounds, nosebleeds, preventing hemorrhaging, and menstrual bleeding
Allergies Nettle is antiallergenic; good for treating hay fever, asthma itchy skin conditions, and insect bites
Enlarged prostate Following research, nettle root is now a common treatment for symptoms of enlarged prostate
Parts used
Aerial Parts (fresh or dried) are eaten as a tonic vegetable and used to make medicinal preparations
Root contains important diuretic properties that make it useful for prostate problems
Seeds are thought to act to protect the liver
Leaves high levels of nutrients are concentrated in the leaves
Key Actions
Diuretic
Tonic
Astringent
Prevents hemorrhaging
Anti-allergenic
Reduces prostate enlargement (root)
Anti-inflammatory
Constituents
Flavonoids (quercitin)
Amines
Glucoquinone
Minerals
Plant sterols (root)
Phenols (root)
References
- Chevallier, Andrew, FNIMH; Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments; 3. Edition 2016; ISBN: 978-0-2412-2944-6; Page 146.
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