Stinging Nettles
Stinging Nettle also called, common nettle, burn nettle, burn weed, burn hazel and urtica dioica. The Nettle is herbaceous meaning that its leaves and stem die and return to soil level at the end of the growing season. They are perennial which means that they live for more than two years.
Urtica dioica has six subspecies, five of which that "stings". The plant has hollow hairs on its leaves and stems, which act like Hypodermic needles injecting histamine and other chemicals to produce the stinging sensation. Nettle is dioecious, this means that the plants have male and female sex's the same as humans do.
Nettles grows between 1 and 2 meters tall during the summer, and then dies back into the ground during winter. the base of the plant where it grows from the soil is wide spreading and bright yellow as are the roots. The Leaves are soft and green and grow between 3 and 15 cm. they grow oppositely on the wiery green stem. the edge of the leaves will be obviously serrated they are heart shaped
and tapered to a long point. Its flowers are nemerous and small, either greenish or brownish.
It is abundant in northern Europe and much of Asia, usually found in the countryside. It is less widespread in southern Europe and north Africa, where it is restricted by its need for moist soil. In North America it is widely distributed in Canada and the United States, where it is found in every province and state except for Hawaii and also can be found in northern most Mexico. It grows in abundance in the Pacific Northwest, especially in places where annual rainfall is high. The European subspecies has been introduced into North America as well as South America. In Europe nettles
have a strong association with human habitation and buildings. The presence of nettles may indicate that a building has been long abandoned. Human and animal waste may be responsible for elevated levels of phosphate and nitrogen in the soil, providing an ideal environment for nettles.
Nettles have many food and drink uses. it has a flavour similiar to spinach and cucumber when cooked and are rich in vitamins A and C, Iron, Potassium, manganese and calcium. the have upto 25% protein. soaking the nettles in water and or cooking, will remove the irritating chemicals. after the nettle enters its flowering and seed setting stages the leaves develope gritty particles which can irritate the urinary tract.
Medicinal
AllergiesBleeding
When Urtica dioica is combined with Thymus vulgaris (common thyme), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Vitis vinifera (common grape vine) and Alpinia officinarum (lesser galangal), the mixture of herbs has been traditionally known to work as an Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS). This topical mix works on endothelium, blood cells, angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, vascular dynamics, and cell mediators to stop bleeding. It is used as an alternative to antihemorrhagic medicines in Turkey.
Gout
Stinging nettles may bring relief upon people who have excess uric acid built up in their bodies. In the case of gout, this uric acid builds up and crystallizes around the joints, causing inflammation and excruciating pain. Stinging nettles can work to clear out this excess uric acid and relieve some symptoms of the disease. The most common way to bring relief to joints inflamed with gout is by brewing a cup of stinging nettle tea.
Urinary Tract Infections
Alongside vitamin C and cranberries, drinking tea made of stinging nettles can further help in the treatment of a bladder infection by easing the inflammation of the bladder or urethra. Drinking nettle tea also promotes urination which flushes the body of infection causing bacteria. However, serious kidney infections can arise from bladder infections and it is necessary to see a physician if symptoms persist 24 to 36 hours after herbal remedies are used.
Finger Nails
Drinking a cup of nettle tea every day may promote healthy nail growth as nettles contain silica and other minerals necessary for nail formation.
Additional Medicinal Uses
In addition, the seeds and leaves of stinging nettles are used by certain populations to treat arthralgia, colds and flu, diabetes, joint pain, cancers, hypertension and liver diseases.
Urtica dioica can be purchased in the form of supplements (choose supplements that are standardized to contain at least 1% plant silica) and can also be used medicinally by creating a nettle tea with leaves or eating the leaves, stem and/or seeds of the plant. The recommended dose of stinging nettles for most symptoms is 250mg taken three times daily.
Urtica dioica is generally considered safe when used as directed, but has been known to cause mild upset stomach, fluid retention and/or a rash in some individuals. Nettles can also disrupt female menstrual cycles so women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant should not injest the plant.
Magikal Properties
Nettle is male in action and associated with the sign of Scorpio (some say Aries) and the planet Mars and element of Fire.
Nettle can be burned to drive out negativity or unwanted spirits. It can also be used in protection bags, our ground into powder and used in spells to break curses.
Magikal uses include dispelling darkness & fear, strengthening the will, and aiding in the ability to handle emergencies. Sprinkle in the home to drive off evil & negativity. Carry in a sachet or use with a poppet to turn back a spell on the one who cast it. Sprinkle on self to remove petty jealousies, gossip, envy, and uncomfortable situations.
Growing
Plant nettles six to twelve inches apart in moist, rich soil that gets some shade. They will grow like a weed and spread out like crazy. They do grow well in a pot. If grown in the garden they should be surrounded by an underground barrier to prevent them taking over. Stinging nettles are best grown in their own patch.
Cut nettles back after they flower but before they seed so they don't spread out of control.
