Stinging Nettle

Common Names: Stinging Nettle, Nettle, Common Nettle, Big Nettle, Urtica dioica, Urtica, Nettle Leaf, Nettle Herb, Nettle Root, Urticae herba et folium, Urticae radix, Devil's Leaf, Grote Brandnetel, Bichu, Brennnessel, Gerrais, Kazink, Nabat Al Nar, Urtiga, Isirgan, Ortie, Ortie brûlante, Grande Ortie, Ortie des jardins, Ortie dioïque, Ortie méchante, Feuille d'Ortie, Graine d'Ortie, Ortiga, Chichicaste, Prickly Nettle, Stinging Nettle Leaf, Slender Nettle, Urtica urens, Nettle Worth

Latin Name: Urtica dioica (syn. Urtica major)

Origin: Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, North America

Short Introduction

The stinging nettle is a commonly occurring herbaceous plant in temperate regions (see Origin and Distribution for details). Because wild nettle is abundant nearly everywhere, cultivation is often not necessary. It thrives in any soil, particularly in environments frequently fertilized with nitrogen-rich fertilizers. This nitrophilous species prefers lighter, moist soils. It is sown in spring and can also be propagated by dividing rhizomes. Consistent mowing helps control nettle proliferation, but for cultivation purposes, it's important to allow the plant to grow freely.

The leaf (primarily) and aerial parts hold medicinal value. Harvesting can be challenging due to the plant's stinging hairs and is best carried out during flowering (June to September) by stripping leaves from the stems. Aerial parts are collected from leafy, non-woody stems up to 50 cm long, typically cut with a sickle from young, healthy plants. Roots are dug in autumn and seeds collected as they mature from August to September. Drying should take place in cool, airy, shaded areas, ideally not exceeding 60°C. Quick drying is essential to avoid browning, and plant parts shouldn't be turned frequently. The optimal herbal material color is green, with an odorless or mildly bitter taste. Store in airtight containers in a dry, well-ventilated space.

Detailed Description

A well-known herb steeped in folklore and the focus of countless scientific studies.

Botanical Information

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial, dioecious herb growing up to 2 meters tall. Its stem is erect, green, square-shaped, and typically very hairy, although it can sometimes be smooth. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, cross-arranged, with long blades, ovate to lanceolate, fine, heart-shaped at the base, and up to 15 cm long. The leaf edges are serrated or toothed, hairy, and covered with stinging trichomes along the veins. The plant features extensive stolons and rhizomes that become roots. Flowers are unisexual, grouped in inflorescences arising from leaf axils. They are inconspicuous, four-parted, and greenish to brownish. Flowering occurs from June to October.

Origin and Distribution

Originally, stinging nettle was distributed throughout Europe, from the western edge of Siberia (reaching into Iran) to Scandinavia and southern Europe, commonly found in alluvial forests and wet soils, especially near water. Today, it grows almost worldwide, especially near human-altered locations. Nettle is a reliable indicator of nitrogen-rich soil.

Naturally present in the Northern Hemisphere and introduced (now naturalized and invasive) in South America, stinging nettle is found throughout the Czech Republic, regardless of altitude. It commonly grows in wastelands, roadside ditches, moist woodlands, along fences, meadows, and hedges. Often regarded as an unwelcome weed in gardens, it thrives in nitrogen-rich, moist soils, forming dense stands.

Usage / Dosage

Stinging nettle has featured in folklore for centuries, including proverbs and customs. One Slaný region legend tells of girls gathering nettles the night before May Day, planting each plant in sand-marked containers labeled for every housewife. Stored in the cellar, the status of the nettle was checked at sunrise: if wilted, it was considered a sign of the housewife's death within the year. Nettle was viewed as a powerful remedy against various diseases, even hung at home for protection. In cases of illness, a family member might be whipped with nettles to speed recovery.

Nettle leaves are prepared in the kitchen much like spinach and added to risotto, noodles, gnocchi, dumplings, or soups. Nettles can be used as a topping for pizza or as an ingredient in pasta, strudels, stuffing, or omelets. Fresh leaves are also used in spreads or added to sweet dishes, cakes, waffles, or spice blends. When using raw leaves, it's best to finely chop and crush them with a rolling pin to eliminate the stinging trichomes.

Historically, nettles were made into pudding or special beers, and special procedures are used to produce cheeses (such as the Cornish 'Yarg'), pasta, liqueurs, and herbal teas from macerated leaves. Stinging nettle is also grown as a natural protein source—about twice as much as soybeans. In northern Britain, nettle has long been used to fatten pigs.

Nettle stems are rich in tough fibers used in the textile industry, especially during World War I in Germany and Austria. Nettle dyes fabrics, and gardeners use its nutrient-rich biomass for plant fertilizer. Nettle leaves are common in cosmetic products.

In Eastern European folk medicine, stinging nettle is used to increase urine output (diuretic), lower high blood sugar, reduce inflammation and bleeding, treat different types of anemia, boost blood formation, detoxify the blood, increase milk supply in breastfeeding mothers, improve metabolism, aid digestion, reduce bloating, clear mucus from the airways, support difficult urination, treat urinary tract inflammation, and improve intestinal motility.

Anglo-Saxon herbalists recommend internal use of nettle infusions for headaches, kidney and urinary tract inflammation, high blood sugar (including for diabetes!), pancreatic support, allergies (like hay fever after regular use), gastric ulcers (with large amounts of nettle tea), colds, gallbladder colic, stomach cramps, and intestinal ulcers. Nettle tincture is suggested for liver, spleen (even in cancer), gallbladder, and lung diseases.

Externally, nettle compresses are applied to speed the healing of cuts, stab wounds, and punctures, regenerate skin, reduce sweating, swelling, and heavy legs, treat eczema, fungal nail infections, corns, and ease joint pain from rheumatism and gout attacks. Nettle tincture is recommended by healers for burns, nosebleeds, hair loss, dandruff, and psoriasis.

Fresh aerial parts applied to target areas are mentioned in folk medicine for stroke (calming), sciatica (first aid), lower back pain (lumbago), and even peripheral nerve inflammation (hands or feet). Fresh juice is suggested internally for jaundice (40–150 g daily), and in other doses for urticaria, hemorrhoids, or diarrhea.

Traditional Czech herbals highlight nettle leaves for their detoxifying, astringent, strengthening, and cleansing effects. Stinging nettle is recommended to lower high blood pressure, reduce atherosclerosis symptoms, and treat gout. Nettle infusions have been used for viral infections, coughs, diabetics, to support digestion, bile secretion, as a liver and stomach tonic, antiseptic, for internal bleeding, influenza, and as an adaptogenic tonic for revitalizing the body.

Its main traditional use is for anti-inflammatory effects, now supported by scientific data showing inhibition of NF-kappaB and other pro-inflammatory factors by compounds in nettle leaves and stems. Similar phytochemicals in the root are used in traditional remedies for prostate enlargement.

Extensively studied, nettle leaf and stem compounds have shown promise in treating Alzheimer's, arthritis, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, gingivitis, intestinal inflammation, hives, urinary stones, laryngitis, multiple sclerosis, enlarged prostate, sciatica, and tenosynovitis. In cosmetics and external products, nettle is valued for hair loss prevention, reducing sebum production, and dandruff control.

Many modern products are based on nettle's effectiveness as a diuretic and for relieving prostate symptoms. In Germany, nettle-based formulas are used to ease rheumatic complaints and inflammation of the urinary tract and prostate. In the USA, nettle leaf is used as a diuretic and against arthritis, prostatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, and allergic rhinitis.

Active compounds in nettle leaves and aerial parts interfere with pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin production, thus presenting anti-inflammatory and modest immunomodulatory effects. Terminal compounds consumed internally have reported analgesic effects by modulating pain signaling pathways. These support reduced pain perception, arthritic stiffness, and similar issues. The same compounds can lower histamine release from allergic response, helping to reduce allergy symptoms (documented in human trials).

Liquid extract from nettle leaves and aerial parts has also been used with some efficacy to reduce muscle and arthritic pain. Astringent properties help compress tissue in hemorrhoids or minor skin cuts (such as shaving nicks), soothing irritation and improving tissue resilience. For full effect, regular use for at least 30 days is recommended.

Recent human and animal studies have shown nettle extracts may disrupt inflammatory cascades and reduce prostaglandin production and T-cell response. Limited clinical data indicate that lyophilized nettle leaf (600 mg) outperformed placebo for allergic rhinitis symptom relief. Laboratory studies report antiviral efficacy against HIV, cytomegalovirus, and certain animal viruses, as well as antibacterial activity against some strains. Multiple independent studies highlight nettle's antioxidant properties, suggesting a hepatoprotective and anti-apoptotic effect in brain cells.

Overall, health authorities support claims that stinging nettle helps optimize respiratory health, promote healthy skin, fight dandruff, aid wound healing, maintain healthy veins, alleviate heavy legs, support kidney function (excretion), refresh the body, maintain joint health, and naturally strengthen the immune system—all due to its rich content in iron and minerals.

For metabolic reasons, stinging nettle is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Active Compounds

Compound composition varies by plant part. Stinging nettle is a commercial source of chlorophyll and protein—present in quantities about double that of soybeans. The plant is also rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron), along with vitamins such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin K, and B complex vitamins.

Other notable components include beta-carotene, glucokinins, agglutinin, organic acids, carbohydrates (mostly cellulose), phytoncides, acetylcholine, steroids (stigmasterol, campesterol, stist-4-en-3-one), lignans (tetrahydrofuran derivatives), and tannins. The stinging trichomes contain amines, histamine, serotonin, and choline. Lectin has been detected using advanced methods such as liquid/gas chromatography, HPLC, and capillary electrophoresis.

Traditional Dosage

Prepare an infusion by mixing a heaping teaspoon (2–3 g) of dried leaves with 0.25 liters of water, scald, and steep briefly. Drink one cup in the morning on an empty stomach (about half an hour before food), then 1–2 cups throughout the day. For flavor, chamomile or mint may be added. To prepare a tincture, finely chop the desired plant parts, fill a bottle with them, top off with rye spirit (30–40%), and steep for about 14 days in a warm spot.

Nettle syrup is made by pouring 500 ml of cold water over 250 g of aerial parts, boiling for 10 minutes, then steeping for 24 hours. Strain, mix with 0.5 kg of honey, refrigerate, and take a tablespoon daily to boost immunity or relieve prostate issues. For hemorrhoids, blend 15 parts nettle, 10 parts dandelion root, 30 parts yarrow, and 30 parts horehound; scald one teaspoon of the mixture with 250 ml of water, steep for 10 minutes, and drink 2–3 times daily in slow sips.