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plant profile
Nettle
LATIN NAME
Urtica dioica
MEANING
Cruelty; Slander
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Nettle
About
Nettle’s scientific name is Urtica dioica and it belongs to the Urticaceae family. The aerial parts of nettle are most commonly used, though herbalists also use the seeds and roots.
Active Constituents
Minerals and vitamins, flavonoids, flavanol glycosides, tannins, indoles, amines, and chlorophyll.
Sowing & Growing
The humble stinging nettle goes freely wherever it wants and follows in the path of humans! No need to sow!
Harvesting & Prep
To harvest stinging nettles, be sure to wear gloves and use scissors, or firmly pinch the leaves to avoid getting stung. Focus on collecting the young, tender leaves in spring or autumn, specifically the top 4-6 leaves from each stem. If you plan to use the leaves for cooking, either wilt them to neutralise the stinging hairs or blanch them in hot water.
To harvest stinging nettle seeds, cut the top third of the plant where the seed clusters are located. Hang this section upside down in a paper bag to dry. Once dried, you can separate the seeds from the stems by rubbing them through a sieve. The best time to harvest nettle seeds is from late summer to mid-autumn, when they are plump, green, and healthy.
Therapeutic Properties
Alterative, antiallergy, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, galactagogue, haemostatic, hypotensive, nutritive, and tonic. The seeds are stimulating and adaptogenic.
Traditional Uses
Nettles have been traditionally used to treat arthritis by inducing inflammation, which relieves pain and promotes healing. They can also reduce joint inflammation, clear fluid, and strengthen the joint when used internally.
Nettle seeds can be infused into carrier oils to create ointments for direct application to the joints. Nettles act as an antihistamine for respiratory and skin allergies, reducing excessive secretions during hay fever and colds.
They can also address chronic skin issues, both internally and externally, by clearing heat from the skin. Additionally, nettles are a rich source of nutrients that can help strengthen the body, especially after childbirth and during convalescence. They are considered a traditional spring tonic herb.
