Herbarium: Common Nettle – a stinging herb with powerful detoxifying properties.

Common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial plant that can grow up to a meter tall, with a creeping rhizome and a sturdy, four-sided stem. The leaves of the stinging nettle are opposite and petiolate. Male and female flowers are greenish, small, and grow on different plants. They form dense clusters. The entire plant is covered in stinging hairs, which, when touched, cause a raised, red spot on the skin that burns and itches. This spot usually disappears after a short time. Occasionally, the monoecious stinging nettle (Urtica urens) can also be found. A closely related species, but significantly more stinging, is the annual stinging nettle, which is a one-year plant, monoecious, with smaller, coarsely toothed leaves.

It is a very common, weedy plant, and is often found in disturbed areas, old fields, waste ground, shrubs, roadsides, and ditches.

The above-ground parts of the plant, including the leaves and stems, are harvested. The best time to harvest is from early spring to the end of May. When harvesting, it is best to avoid areas that are not sunny and also areas where the stinging nettle grows particularly well. We can harvest around 14:00 and can harvest all parts of the plant.

The leaves of the stinging nettle contain chlorophyll and approximately 15% mineral substances, including magnesium, which is of particular interest to us. They also contain carotenoids, flavonoids, organic acids, amines such as serotonin, histamine, choline, and acetyl choline, as well as carbohydrates such as arabinose, galactose, glucose, and mannose. Additionally, they contain vitamins, a high concentration of amino acids, glucokinases, tannins, phytoncides, and a number of other substances. A relatively unfavorable component is the presence of oxalic acid.

The stinging nettle has remarkable properties. Chlorophyll has a tonic and stimulating effect on metabolism and all physiological functions. It also acts as an antianemic and antisklerotic agent. Other effects of the stinging nettle include: cardiotonic, antidiabetic (especially useful for patients who do not yet need to inject insulin), stimulation of pancreatic function, anti-diarrheal, antiviral (especially against influenza), promotion of wound healing, influence on ovarian function, support for the treatment of bronchial asthma, support for bile function, anti-rheumatic properties, hemostatic properties, diuretic properties, increased enzymatic activity, and improved blood circulation in internal organs. The root is almost exclusively used externally, most commonly for hair loss. Male flowers improve male fertility. When taken internally, either a mild infusion or a more potent decoction can be chosen. The stinging nettle is also an ideal component in herbal mixtures. In this case, the type of tea preparation should be chosen to complement the main herb in the mixture.

Only the effects of fresh stinging nettle can be considered toxic, as it contains a concentrated poison that causes burning. However, this poison is lost through drying or other processing methods. There are no known contraindications for taking stinging nettle, and no serious side effects are known. Stinging nettle can be taken for extended periods, but not continuously.

This article was published with the kind permission of the Sféra magazine.

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