Stinging Nettles,Urtica dioica

By Kim Willis These articles are copyrighted and may not be copied or used without the permission of the author.

Urtica dioica or stinging nettles is one of those interesting plants that is now found throughout the world, where it has probably been carried by humans.  The plant, or a species of it, was thought to be native in western North America, but some botanists now believe it was carried here from its true native origin of northern Europe and Asia by the first people to cross the land bridge from Siberia to what is now known as Alaska.  The plant was used for its fiber, and clothing and hunting nets were made from this fiber in early human history.  It also had many herbal uses and was eaten so the likelihood that it came here with the first people is good.

While gardeners and hikers aren’t thrilled to encounter the plant which leaves a nasty, painful rash when brushed against or pulled, herbalists sing the praises of stinging nettles.  This is another plant hailed as a miracle cure for whatever ails you.  Studies have shown some medicinal value for the plant.

Description

Stinging nettles is a tall (3-7 feet) sturdy perennial plant.  The leaves are dark green, 1-6 inches long and heavily toothed on the edges.  Leaves are arranged oppositely on the tough, squared stem.  The plants usually aren’t branched. 

The surface of the leaves and stems are covered with hairs, some of which are larger and contain the poison that causes such misery.  These hairs, called trichomes, are hollow, with a bulbous base that contains acetylcholine, histamine, 5-HT (serotonin), moroidin, leukotrienes, and possibly formic acid. They act like a needle to inject the poison as a defense. These hairs are meant to protect the plant from animals eating them and they do a good job.  They also break off in human skin causing welts, stinging and itching.  When the plants are dried or cooked the poison disappears.

Stinging nettle flowers come in male and female versions on the same plant. They are small clusters of greenish white and appear in the leaf axils throughout the summer.  The female flowers produce tiny egg shaped seeds  of tan to brown.

Stinging nettles has both rhizomes and stolons as a root system.  These are a bright yellow color which can help identify the plant.  Stinging nettles reproduces both by seed and spreading rhizomes and it can spread rapidly in a site it likes.  The plants can be found nearly everywhere but they prefer sunny sites with high fertility.  Farmers believe soil that grows good nettles is excellent crop soil.

Edible uses

Stinging nettles have been used as food by many cultures for thousands of years.  When cooked they lose their sting and are very nutritious, although as is the case with most of these cooked greens they must be gathered and cooked while young and tender.

I do not like cooked greens but friends tell me the taste of stinging nettles is much like spinach with a hint of cucumber.  The leaves are high in vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, manganese, riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid, vitamin K1, tocopherols (vitamin E) lutein, xanthophyll and calcium.  Leaves also contain about 5% protein.

Stinging nettles are turned into cordials, beer, made into soup, used as pastry filling, polenta and pesto in various cultures.  Nettles are sometimes used in cheese making, especially for flavoring Gouda cheese.

While animals will not eat fresh nettles they love it when dried as hay and the sting is gone.  It is as nutritious as alfalfa.  Chickens are sometimes fed dried nettles to improve the yellow color of the egg yolk.

Fiber, dye, and other uses

Stinging nettles have been used for fiber as long as they have been used for food.  Archeology sites have turned up hunting nets and clothing made from the fiber.  Stinging nettles are being grown as a crop in Europe currently to produce a specialty fabric similar to linin. The culture of plants and manufacture of the fiber is much the same as for flax plants.  Use of pesticides is not needed for producing the plant.

Both the roots and leaves have been used as a yellow dye for thousands of years.

Gardeners should consider the use of stinging nettles as good compost material because it is high in nitrogen and other plant nutrients.  Nettles near the garden also attract many species of beneficial insects.  Just don’t allow them to grow where you’ll brush into them.

Medicinal uses

Where do we start?  Stinging nettles are used in folk medicine to cure disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract as a diuretic, for irritable bladder, to prevent bed wetting, both for diarrhea and as a laxative, acid reflux, for excess gas, nausea, colitis and Celiac disease, hemorrhoids, to kill intestinal worms, strengthening the cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure, to lower blood sugar, for hemorrhage, nose bleeds, wounds, colds, influenza, rheumatism, gout, lupus, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, MS, ALS and sciatica, asthma, lung congestion, TB cure, allergies and hayfever, sore throat, gingivitis, rash and eczema, wart removal, cancer, for regulation of menstruation, to bring on milk production, to ease menopause symptoms, treatment of Alzheimer’s, to cure baldness and dandruff, dry oily hair and prevent aging. Whew!  You better get you some nettles!

In folk medicine stinging nettle leaves and flowers are usually dried and taken as teas, although in some cases the boiled leaves are recommended.  Some herbalists also use dried and powdered root preparations.

Medical research has found some use for stinging nettles in enlarged prostrate treatment; it alleviates symptoms but does not reduce prostrate size.  The chemicals in stinging nettles may act to regulate hormones, which is why it may also be able to help in hormonal issues of women.  Additionally the iron and other nutrient content of nettles may cure deficiencies and improve energy and health in women.

Some preliminary studies have found nettles may be useful in alleviating allergy symptoms.  Nettles seem to reduce histamine production.  Also studies have found that some people with various arthritic diseases do get some relief from oral use of nettles but although many herbalists swear by self- flagellating sore joints with nettles to produce those painful welts, which somehow make the arthritis pain better, no studies have confirmed that practice.  The nettles were given along with anti-steroidal pain relievers like aspirin.

Nettles are also being studied for diabetes treatment.  They do lower blood sugar in some cases but in other cases a rise in blood sugar occurs so experimenting at home is not recommended.  They are also being studied for lowering blood pressure, with some evidence there may be an effect.

For more medical information based on science here are some links.

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/stinging-nettle

https://www.drugs.com/npp/nettles.html

 Cautions

While often used for urinary tract problems mature leaves of stinging nettles can contain little grit particles called cystoliths which can cause urinary tract irritation and possibly kidney damage.

 Stinging nettles should not be used in conjunction with any blood thinner medications, blood pressure medications or by people known to have low blood pressure, with diabetes medications or by people with diabetes.  Don’t take nettles if you use other diuretics or lithium. Doctors warn pregnant women should not take stinging nettles as it may cause uterine contractions and increased bleeding.  It would be wise to ask a druggist or a doctor if you take any prescription medications f you should use stinging nettles.

If handling stinging nettles leaves you in pain try using calamine lotion and/or any topical medicine for itching and pain.  The pain usually subsides in a few hours to a day.  The welts do not spread and aren’t contagious.