Tolfi Oow

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The nettle: What it is, Ingredients and Uses

Everyone knows the painful encounter with a large or small nettle. The medicinal plant can also be used in other ways, such as driving away inflammatory diseases or helping to lose weight.

What does nettle look like and where does it grow?

Large nettle (Urtica dioica) and small nettle (Urtica urens) are the most important local representatives of a plant family that occurs almost worldwide. Both have healing properties. While the stinging nettle can grow up to 150 centimeters high, its little sister only manages a third. The angular, hairy stems bear heart-shaped, pointed leaves that are veined and serrated at the edge. Plant parts used: seeds and herb. The gathering time is from March to August.

Greenish-white panicles of flowers appear in the flowering period from June to October. Stinging nettles (nettles for short) spread quickly everywhere, but prefer nutrient-rich soil such as in the garden, much to the chagrin of many garden owners, who see them as just a nuisance weed.

What is nettle used for?

Nettle herb is particularly suitable for internal use. It has been proven that nettle leaves have an anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect. They can be used for rheumatic diseases, inflammatory joint diseases or urinary tract infections such as cystitis . Clinical studies even prove its effectiveness in osteoarthritis and rheumatism.
The fresh nettle herb is also suitable for flushing therapy to prevent kidney stones. Many herbalists use the draining effect of nettle leaf extracts in spring for a diet or detoxification cure.
The herbal hormones in the roots relieve symptoms of benign prostate enlargement, which is also proven by recognized studies. Folk medicine ascribes other effects to the stinging nettle: it is said to stimulate blood formation, promote wound healing and increase lovemaking.

When used externally, the herb is particularly suitable for oily hair. The reason: the medicinal plant has a degreasing effect.

What ingredients are in the herb?

The medicinally active ingredients are in the leaves and roots. The leaves contain flavonoids and have a high content of important active ingredients such as potassium, calcium, silicic acid and iron, as well as vitamin A and vitamin C and unsaturated fatty acids. The branched roots contain phystosterols as active components. The green is used fresh or dried as a tea or plant extract, the root is dried and ground.

Why does the plant hurt on the skin?

The name “Urtica” comes from the property that makes the plant particularly unpopular, because “Urtica” means “to burn”. Anyone who touches them catches a burning pain. Because the entire medicinal herb is covered with stinging hairs, a protective mechanism against predators. Even the lightest touch breaks off the tips of these hairs and their ingredients – formic acid, histamine, acetylcholine – are released in the skin. Complaints such as a violent burning sensation in the body begin immediately. Wheals also appear, they form where the skin came into contact with the plant. The nettle poison of the small nettle is particularly painful.

When is the medicinal plant edible?

Nettle leaves are an ideal substitute for spinach in the kitchen due to their healthy ingredients and are just as easy to prepare. Don’t worry about the stinging hairs – they lose their effect through processing. The young leaves can even be used as a salad from around March to May, without any risk of pain. Because in the spring the stinging hairs of the young plants are not yet formed.

A real traditional and healthy home remedy is nettle tea. Pour boiling water over fresh leaves several times a day and let it steep for a few minutes. The effect of the leaves is varied, for example they are just as good for the hair as for the skin. The seeds of fresh nettles can be used against hair loss and as aTolfioowity tonic.

What else can the plant do?

The stinging nettle is an important food source for many caterpillars. The caterpillars of the peacock butterfly or small tortoiseshell eat nothing else. The use of nettle manure is considered an excellent organic fertilizer for vegetables and as an aphid killer – but the gardener must be able to endure its stench. And an old custom promises that anyone who eats nettle vegetables on Maundy Thursday has no money worries the whole year round.

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Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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