It is a shrubby, perennial plant, with a fibrous and whitish root. Its stems are erect and square and can measure between 24-36 inches tall, its leaves are elongated and with serrated edges, and its root resists the winter cold. Its yellowish flowers appear between May and July. Its stems and leaves are covered with hollow hairs, filled with a stinging liquid that contains organic acids (histamine and acetylcholine). These hairs are very brittle and, when broken, inject the liquid into the skin, inducing a burning and itching sensation. The small green flowers mature into tiny green seeds. The stingers can be cooked or crushed out of the leaves. Cooked nettle leaves are nutritious and akin to spinach. Nettle leaf has been used since ancient times. Internally, it was thought of as a mild diuretic while externally, the leaf was used in poultices, lotions, and salves to treat sore muscles and joints. Nettle leaves can also be cooked and eaten as food.
History and Folklore:
Nettle leaf has been used since ancient times as a diuretic and treatment for sore muscles. Together with the stems, the leaves are used in the textiles industry and make a strong fabric.
Cultivation and Harvest:
Wear gloves! In the spring, cut the stem at one of its nodes and allow the stem and leaves to fall into a burlap sack. Do this near the tops of the plant and leave enough stems and leaves to allow the plant to recover from the harvest. Allow the cut leaves to wilt on the stem for a couple of days. This will reduce the stinginess of the leaves and allow for easy separation from the stems by hand. Careful harvesting ensures that the plant can recover during the same growing season.
Avoid during pregnancy or while nursing.
Traditional Herbal Actions:
Diuretic, Anti-inflamatory, Nutritive
American stinging nettle, Stinging Nettle, Ball Nettle, Bull Nettle, Flame Nettle, Hemp Nettle, False Nettle, Ouch
Ingredients: Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)
None of these items or statements are approved by FDA. Consult your physician before taking any supplement. Do not take herbs or tinctures during pregnancy without consulting your healthcare provider. This product is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. All information here is for entertainment and educational purposes only.
*This statement has not been verified by the FDA and is only referenced here as a fun fact and/or for historical commentary, is not to be used as medical advice in any way. Consult your doctor before ingesting any herbal product.