Stinging Nettles

(Urtica dioica)

Other Names:
Common nettle, stinging nettle, nettle leaf

Range:

Family:
Urticaceae – Nettle family

Growth Type:
Herbaceous Perennial

Height:
3 - 6 ft in height

Leaves:
The serrate, toothed, leaves are positioned opposite, and are heart-shaped. The leaves on older plants are often lance shaped. The leaves have a rough papery texture.

Stem/Trunk:
The stout, ribbed, hollow stems are covered with trichomes (hairs), which, when touched break, and release formic acid which in turn produces a stinging pain. Contrary to popular internet lore, the trichomes are not thorns, and they do not stick into your skin and or break off.

Root:
Spreading rhizome

Flower Season:
late spring or early summer

Flower Appearance:
Many small greenish flowers are born on clusters at the leaev axiels towards the tops of the plant.

Seed/Fruit:
The pollenated flowers ripen to a seed cluster. In turn, the seeds within these clusters ripen in Autumn.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
This much maligned plant is one of the most beneficial food sources you will ever be lucky enough to find. Stinging Nettles have both nutritional and medicinal value. Eating this plant gives you more bang for your buck.

Be careful when gathering Stinging Nettles. As the name implies, when you come into contact with the small trichomes (hairs) along the stems they break releasing formic acid, which causes skin irritation ranging from mild to intense.

Habitat:
Rich soil, disturbed areas, moist woodlands, thickets, along rivers, and along partially shaded trails.

Parts Used:
Young shouts, leaves, and seeds as food source. Leaves, seeds, and roots are used medicinally. Stems used for cordage.

Miscellaneous Uses:
Nettle stems can be crushed along their length and the fibrous strands removed and dried. They can then be reverse wrapped to create very strong cordage. When sparticus and the other slaves escaped captivity, Roman soldiers trapped them on a mountain. With the Roman army at their front and both flanks and a shear cliff to their rear, it appeared hopeless. They gathered nettle stems and used them to create long ropes that they, under cover of darkness, then used to climb down the cliff and escape. I would like to tell you they escaped and lived happily ever after, but real life is not a fairy tale. Weeks later they were caught and killed. But they made really great rope.

Culinary Uses:
Nettles are extremely high in Iron. They have been used for years as a spring tonic to reverse the effects of Anemia caused by a poor winter diet. Along with calcium and potassium, nettles are also high in vitamins A B & C. Use young nettle leaves, sprouts, and tender upper stems as a cooked vegetable. Cooking destroys the painful nettle "sting". The seeds can be boiled into a porridge, or they can be added whole to salads. Eating them provides you with their amazing Adaptogenic properties.

Delicious Nettle Soup:

Ingredients:

1 pound of young stinging nettle plants
1 medium sized sweet yellow onion, Diced
2 large carrots , Diced
2 stalks of celery , Diced
2-3 tbsp of olive oil
1 quart of chicken, or vegetable, stock
½ - 1 tsp salt
¼ - ½ tsp of black pepper
2 tbsp butter
¼ cup heavy cream

Instructions:

Start by gathering about a pound or so of young stinging nettle plants. I recommend wearing gloves, or using a pair of tongs to pick the plants. Wash the nettles thoroughly, and then set them aside.

In a large pot, sauté the diced onion, carrots, and celery, in 2 - 3 tbsp of olive oil until tender. Add the nettles, and continue sautéing for another 1-2 minutes.

Next add your stock, and bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to med - low, and simmer for about 30 to 45 minutes, until the nettles are very tender.

Caution, the soup will be very hot, carefully pour the mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. (You can also use an immersion blender right in the pot).

When completely smooth, carefully pour the soup back to the pot, and finish with 1/4 - 1/3 cup of heavy cream. Stir until blended, season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

(You can enjoy a slightly chunkier soup by skipping the blending step, simply finish with cream, and serve.)

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Energetics
Taste: Salty
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Medicinal Uses:
For thousands of years Urtica dioica has been used by indigenous people as an edible and medicinal staple. Recent studies, (Bhusal et al., 2022), have scientifically proven these anecdotal uses. A spring tonic made from nettles has been used to treat winter anemia for centuries. Rootstock is used to treat disorders of the prostate. Nettle leaf tincture is a highly effective treatment for seasonal allergies. Leaf tea has traditionally been used as a blood purifier, blood builder, diuretic, astringent, for gout, glandular diseases, rheumatism, poor circulation, enlarged spleen, mucus discharges of the lungs, internal bleeding, diarrhea, and dysentery. Its effect involves the action of white blood cells, aiding coagulation, and formation of hemoglobin in red blood corpuscles. Nettles also work to reverse anemia, even that caused by feminine monthly cycles.

Recently Germans have begun using the roots in a treatment for Prostate Cancer. Russians are adding the leaves to vodka to treat inflammation of the gallbladder, and hepatitis. There is evidence that even in the time of Jesus, Nettles were used as a treatment for arthritis. The plant tops were pinched off and used to "whip" the afflicted area. The resulting stinging was said to promote blood flow, which in turn alleviated the inflammation. Even today, studies have shown that periodic stings from nettles helps to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness.

Cautions According To WebMD

Contra-Indications
None Known

Possible Side Effects:
Stinging nettle can cause dryness of the skin and mucus membranes. Your body will normally conteract this side effect within a couple of weeks. I typically recommend those taking drying plants to hydrate well throughout the day.

Possible Interactions:
None Known

Medicinal Actions:
Adaptogen, Alterative, Antiarthritic, Anticatarrhal, Antihistamine, Anti-Inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Antiscorbutic, Antiseptic, Astringent, Diuretic, Immunostimulant, Pectoral, Tonic - Blood

Herbal Preparations For Stinging Nettles

00 Capsules

Part Used: Whole young leaves
Plant State: Dried
Fill 00 size capsules with dried nettle leaves.
Dosage: Take 3 capsules twice daily.

Tea

Part Used: Seeds
Plant State: Fresh or dried
Place 2 tsp of chopped or crushed seeds into a mug, and then add 6 oz of almost boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for 20 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
Dosage: Drink a mug as needed.

Tea

Part Used: Whole young plant
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 tsp of chopped plant material into a mug, and then add 6 oz of almost boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for 20 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
Dosage: Drink a mug as needed.

Infusion

Part Used: Whole young plant
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 oz of chopped plant material into a mason jar, and then fill the jar with cold water. Tightly cap the jar, and place it in a sunny location for 8-10 hours.
Dosage: Drink 2-4 oz as needed.

Tincture

Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 75%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Fill the quart sized jar to the top with chopped fresh leaves and then transfer these leaves to a blender. Now pour in 750 ml of 150 proof Everclear. Puree until completely smooth. Pour this bright green liquid back into the mason jar, secure the lid, and store the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day, remove the jar from the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for a total of 15 days. After the tincture has soaked for the 15 days, remove it from the cupboard, strain out the spent plant material, and you should have 24-26 ounces of healthful tincture. This tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage:Add 1 to 1-½ tsp of tincture to water, and drink as needed.

Tincture

Part Used: Seeds
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 75%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Add 375 grams of seeds to a blender. Now pour in 750 ml of 150 proof Everclear. Puree until completely smooth. Pour this mixture back into the mason jar, secure the lid, and store the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day, remove the jar from the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for a total of 30 days. After the tincture has soaked for the 30 days, remove it from the cupboard, strain out the spent plant material, and you should have approximately 25 ounces of healthful tincture. This tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage:Add 1 to 1-½ tsp of tincture to water, and drink as needed.

Tincture

Part Used: Whole young plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Fill the jar three-fourths of the way with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in a bottle of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. 100 proof alcohol is 50% ethanol and 50% water. This combination will extract the water-soluble phytochemicals as well as those which are only soluble in alcohol. Place a lid on the mason jar and store the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard, strain out the spent plant material, and you should have 24-25 ounces of healthful tincture. This tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage:Add ½ to 1 tsp of tincture to water, and drink as needed.

Tincture

Part Used: Whole young plant
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Fill a quart mason jar 150 grams of dried leaves, then pour in 750ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar and store the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard, strain out the spent plant material, and you should have approximately 20 ounces of a 1:5 tincture. This tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 1 to 2 tsp of tincture twice daily

Tincture

Part Used: Root/Rhizome
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Fill the jar 3/4 of the way with chopped fresh rootstock, then pour in a bottle of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. 100 proof alcohol is 50% ethanol and 50% water. This combination will extract the water-soluble phytochemicals as well as those which are only soluble in alcohol. Place a lid on the mason jar and store the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard, strain out the spent plant material, and you should have 24-25 ounces of healthful tincture. This tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage:Add ½ to 1 tsp of tincture to water, and drink as needed.

Tincture

Part Used: Root/Rhizome
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Fill a quart mason jar 150 grams of powdered, ground, dried rootstock, then pour in 750ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar and store the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard, strain out the spent plant material, and you should have approximately 20 ounces of a 1:5 tincture. This tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 1 to 2 tsp of tincture twice daily

References:

Bhusal KK, Magar SK, Thapa R, Lamsal A, Bhandari S, Maharjan R, Shrestha S, Shrestha J. Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review. Heliyon. 2022 Jun 22;8(6):e09717. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09717. PMID: 35800714; PMCID: PMC9253158.