Common Hemp Nettle(Galeopsis tetrahit)
While not native to North America, some species of the Galeopsis genus were introduced and have become naturalized throughout much of the United States and Canada. The species which have become naturalized to the US are G. bifida, G. ladanum, and G tetrahit. We will look at G, tetrahit, as it is the most widespread of all introduced species.
Other Names:
hempnettle, brittlestem hempnettle
Range:
Non-Native
Family:
Lamiaceae - Mint Family
Growth Type:
Herbaceous annual
Height:
Can grow to 1 meter in height
Leaves:
Like other mints, the pale green stalked leaves are arranged opposite. The leaves are up to 2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. They are hairy and ovate with a long tapered tip and with regular large teeth on the margin.
Stem/Trunk:
The stem branches occasionally and is squarish and hairy, with glandular hairs on the upper part of the plant. The stems are swollen below the leaf nodes.
Root:
A rhizome
Flower Season:
June - September
Flower Appearance:
The inflorescence forms a terminal spike and is composed of whorls of approximately 6 pinkish flowers with dark markings on the lower lip. The calyx has five sharp-pointed lobes and the corolla forms a two-lipped flower about 15 to 20 mm (0.6 to 0.8 in) long with a fused tube. The upper lip of each flower is convex with dense, glandular hairs and the lower lip is three-lobed, the central lobe being the largest, squarish with a flat or rounded edge. There are four stamens, two long and two short, the gynoecium has two fused carpels
Seed/Fruit:
The flower heads dry to dark brown as fruit matures. Each flower produces a four-chambered schizocarp with each chamber containing a single seed.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
The plant has a slightly unpleasant smell.
Habitat:
G. tetrahit is a pioneer species which prefers the disturbed soils of sunny logging clearances, waste areas, and gardens
Parts Used:
Aerial parts of the plant
Culinary Uses:
None Known
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: Pungent
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
The plant is antispasmodic, detergent, expectorant and resolvent. It is used in the treatment of tissue-wasting complaints. An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of pulmonary complaints such as hayfever, asthma, bronchitis, and to remove stubborn mucus.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Herbal Preparations For G. tetrahit
Tea
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 4 tsp of fresh, or 2 tsp of dried, plant material in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the plant. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: Drink 1 cup daily.
Decoction
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh chopped, or 1 ounce of dried chopped, (Part) into a pan. Add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture, strain and drink.
Dosage: 2-4 oz up to twice daily
Standard Infusion
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Fresh of Dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh chopped, or 1 ounce of dried chopped, plant material into a quart mason jar and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz up to twice daily
Tincture
Part Used: Aerial Parts
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 to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place 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 and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 2 - 3 ml as Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 45%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
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.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place 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 and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 2 - 3 ml as Needed
Referenes:
Citations