Stinging Nettle Herb

Stinging Nettle Herb

Stinging Nettle is a flowering plant native to Europe, Africa, North America and other regions and is the most widely known among the Nettles. This species of Nettle has tiny spiny hairs that lose its tip when touched resulting in a painful and irritating burning sensation in what ever it touches.

Stinging Nettle grows tall in the summer but dies all the way down to the ground in the winter months. The leaves are soft green and the roots are yellow and spread widely and can be found growing in many places in the United States. Stinging Nettle has many uses medicinally and is thought to have been used as far back as ancient Greece.

Stinging Nettle can carefully be harvested by wearing gloves. Chopping, crushing and cooking the leaves will disable the stinging hairs making the plant easier to use. Often growing along with Stinging Nettle is Curly Dock which when rubbed on the skin afflicted with the stinging hairs of the Stinging Nettle will soothe and ease the burning.

Because Stinging Nettle is high in nutrients it is commonly used as a food source as well as medicinally.

Stinging Nettle Tea

Stinging Nettle tea is prepared by steeping 1 – 2 teaspoons dried herb in 8 ounces of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Stinging Nettle Uses & Herbal Remedies

Stinging Nettle can be cooked and eaten as a pot herb; the cooking disables the stinging affect of the Nettle.

Traditionally the stems of Stinging Nettle would be used to thrash the paralyzed limbs of a patient to stimulate the muscles. Similarly it was used to thrash the body to relieve the pain of sore muscles.

Stinging Nettle is being used today to treat urinary tract disorders including enlarged prostrate and kidney stones.

Stinging Nettle has been used to treat hay fever and allergies.

Stinging Nettle Cautions

Cautions should be used when harvesting or handling Stinging Nettle to prevent the itching and stinging affect.

Stinging Nettle should not be used by persons with heart disease or kidney disease.

Stinging Nettle is discouraged during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels more cautiously if using Stinging Nettle.