Stinging nettle facts, benefits and uses in the garden. Common throughout north america, in much of the unites states, throughout canda and south along the west coast to mexico. In looking it up, i found that it was one of the best things they could eat. The good news is, nettle fabric is perfectly safe to wear, and in fact, is a highly luxurious and sustainable textile. The stinging nettle urtica dioica university of washington. Stinging nettle urtica dioica, wood nettle laportea canadensis and the stingless nettle boehmeria cylindrica are all sources of fibres. All parts of stinging nettle are painful to the touch and may cause dermatitis. Because it spreads by rhizomes, stinging nettle is often found growing in patches. The soft green leaves are 3 to 15 cm 1 to 6 in long and are borne oppositely on an erect wiry green stem. Compounds in the nettle plant may offer relief from allergy symptoms. The name comes from the stinging sensation that you get. If you brush up against a nettle plant, thousands of these little needles will inject a mixture of formic acid, histamine and acetylcholine. Jun 04, 2015 we used to think that the main component was formic acid, the same compound contained in ant venom.
Weve been picking and eating piles of stinging nettle from our two patches this spring. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for subspecies profiles. Whilst formic acid is certainly capable of causing a stinging sensation, and it is present in stinging nettles, its now thought that its present in too low a concentration to account for the extended pain of a stinging nettle sting. American stinging nettle is the most common subspecies in temperate north america and occurs throughout canada and much of the united states. Soaking stinging nettles in water or cooking removes the stinging chemicals from the plant, which allows them to be handled and eaten without injury. Each slender hair on a nettle acts like a hypodermic needle. Stinging nettle makes a perfect stand in for spinach, whether in soups, raviolis or pastas, as a cooked green, on pizza or focaccia bread, or as a base for pesto. Tired teenagers, sleepdeprived new moms, stressed executives, wakeful menopausal. I looked down, fully expecting to see a nest of yellow jackets stinging my flesh. Stinging nettles have been used for thousands of years in making fabric so this wasnt a new discovery. Stinging nettle pesto with green garlic tyrant farms.
I keep a small patch of nettles for treating my arthritis when its real bad. The unrelated cnidoscolus stimulosus bull nettle, stinging nettle, treadsoftly, fingerrot, figure 6. The leaves have a strongly serrated margin, a cordate. But if you accidentally run through a patch of these.
Nettle has been used for gout, arthritis, skin disorders, anemia, allergies and asthma, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, sciatica, worms, weight reduction, and kidney stones. They are a host plant for butterfly larvae like the small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies. I would like to grow a stinging nettle patch as well. And one of the best weeds for this purpose is stinging nettle.
When you find a good nettle patch, visit early and often. It can be perceived either as pain, itching or skin feels like its burning. It can be a nasty plant that causes rashes and numbness if you touch it, but it is also packed full of bioactive compounds that. Itchyrash plants are the plant kingdoms version of yellow jackets, mosquitoes, and the like. The first step to creating the perfect nettle patch is the choice of site. When collecting stinging nettle always cover up all exposed skin. Nettle, also known as stinging nettle, is a family of perennials native to europe, africa, asia and north america. How to harvest, dry, freeze and use stinging nettle. When you touch the tiny stinging hairs, youll experience a painful, stinging or burning.
Nettlealong, harvesting stinging nettle yarn plant. Stinging nettle the most nutritious plant on earth. Nettle stems contain a fibre, which may be and was. Nettle also known as stinging nettles has been used for centuries to treat allergy symptoms, particularly hayfever, as it contains biologically active compounds that reduce inflammation.
Sep 21, 2017 four different stinging nettle like plants are found in florida, three of which belong to the genus urtica. The sting of a nettle may be cured by rubbing the part with rosemary, mint or sage leaves. The medicinal value of the nettle plant has followed it across continents from the past to the present. The chemistry of stinging nettles compound interest. Ive been picking wild nettles with the intention of extracting the fibre and making cloth.
Leaf embroidered patch iron on patches for jackets green leaf applique leaf botanical patch simple leaf cute. Euphorbiaceae, spurge family, a common florida plant, also has stinging hairs but is characterized by conspicuous white flowers and large, lobed leaves. The plants database includes the following 3 subspecies of urtica dioica. This picture is of a nettle patch i started from 1 flimsy looking seedgrown plant last summer. And while those who fail to practice mosquito control are doomed to suffer itchy. Or maybe there are stories about how nettles were used as compresses to treat sprains, strains, and insect bites during the war, or that nettle tea. We used to think that the main component was formic acid, the same compound contained in ant venom. Mar 27, 2017 stinging nettle is a popular folk remedy used in disorders ranging from asthma to hair loss it can be a nasty plant that causes rashes and numbness if you touch it, but it is also packed full of bioactive compounds that promote health and wellbeing. Urtica dioica, often known as common nettle, stinging nettle although not all plants of this species sting or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family urticaceae. Stinging nettle affects the white blood cells and aids in coagulation and formation of hemoglobin. Soaking stinging nettles in water or cooking removes the stinging chemicals from the plant, which allows them to be handled and eaten without injury usage. How can a fabric made from an inflammationinducing plant possibly be useful, much less worn next to the skin.
The stinging nettle is a plant found practically all over the world. The plant has been used as medicine, food, tea and fibre. Studies suggest stinging nettle decreases the effects of adrenaline. Stinging nettle supplement health benefits, dosage, side. Establishing a stinging nettle patch organic forum at. Stinging hairs, which cover the green parts of the plant, contain a combination of serotonin, histamine and three mild irritants.
The unrelated cnidoscolus stimulosus bullnettle, stingingnettle, treadsoftly, fingerrot, figure 6. How to use stinging nettles small footprint family. A plant fact sheet for this species is also available. Gently touch a nettle and itll sting you for your pains grasp it as a lad of mettle and soft as silk remains sean ocasey, playwright. The first known nettle textile find in europe is from the bronze age and there is evidence of nettle cloth production in scandinavia, poland, germany, russia. Nettle root affects a wide range of ailments and act as a tonic and general detoxifying supportive for the whole body. Simmer the nettles in boiling water to denature their sting for 2 minutes. Stinging nettles have tiny, fuzzylike white flowers. The swollen base of each tiny, hollow hair contains a droplet of formic acid.
Were also trying to diversify our stinging nettle recipe portfolio so that we and thus you have more ways to use stinging nettle in the kitchen. How to identify stinging nettle with pictures wikihow. Stinging nettle is a common weed in new zealand, and its sting can be very irritating. Stinging nettle simple english wikipedia, the free. In germany, the federal institute for drugs and medical devices has approved the use of stinging nettles as a cure for urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
It is excellent in supporting some cases of, and also are beneficial in all varieties of, particularly childhood, and in cases caused by nervous tension. Stinging nettle is a member of the genus urtica, a broadleaf, perennial plant. In 2001 i learned that lots of my animals liked to eat stinging nettles. The plant is considered an herbaceous perennial, meaning that it has herbal properties and grows back in the same areas year. I didnt plant any this spring, because my dad swore he had tons of them grown in the back field, however i think what he has is thistle. Nettles are sometimes used in cheesemaking, as nettle. Our netical patch is a fully developed product using patented knowledge culminated from years of botanical research and thousands of applications. It has been used as an herbal remedy for thousands of years.
I often think about her courage and fortitude sitting in a nettle patch. Stinging nettle is a flowering herbaceous plant that may seem a bit unfriendly at first due to its jagged, stinging leaves. Nettles are distant relatives of mint, another invasive herb. Stinging nettle is a popular folk remedy used in disorders ranging from asthma to hair loss. Originally native to europe, much of temperate asia and western north africa, it is now found worldwide, including new zealand and north america. Stinging nettle simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Theres probably a story out there about wwi soldiers who were saved from an attack because the enemy wandered through a patch of stinging nettles and gave themselves away. Find out how to care for nettle stings and relieve the itching. Do not confuse these plants with dead nettle lamium maculatum, a harmless perennial plant used in shade gardens. Does not boost testosterone despite being claims to, although it can help benign prostatic hyperplasia and. Uses, benefits, cures, side effects, nutrients in stinging nettle. Sharp, stinging, tiny hairs encompass this entire plant. These problems include nighttime urination, urination that is too frequent, painful urination, inability to urinate, and irritable bladder. Stinging nettle is a dioecious herbaceous perennial, 1 to 2 m 3 to 7 ft tall in the summer and dying down to the ground in winter. Stinging nettle is a perennial dioeciousmonoecious dicot plant in the genus urtica. But as it turns out, stinging nettle has been used for centuries for a number of purposes, but particularly for its ability to boost prostate and urinary health. Urtica dioica yes, its the very same plant that causes unwary hikers such discomfort. Stinging nettle urtica dioica is plant whose edible, medicinal, and. When touched, a stinging nettle causes a breakout of a painful, itchy rash. They hit the swollen area with the stinging nettle plant.
Why nettles sting, and how you can put them to good use. The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. Stinging nettle root is taken by mouth for urination problems related to an enlarged prostate benign prostatic hyperplasia. Stinging nettle is an erect, perennial, rhizomatous forb which forms dense clonal patches. But drying or cooking eliminates the sting, and the attractive plants have a long history of use in herbal medicine, as a medicinal shampoo and reputed to alleviate symptoms in cases of arthritis, enlarged prostate, and many other complaints.
In europe, nettle fibre has been used since the bronze age to weave sails for boats and mesh fabrics for sifting flour and filtering honey. Benefi cial insects all groups trapped in patches of urtica dioica in the yakima. Stinging nettle definitely lives up to its name it will sting like crazy if you brush up against it or handle the plants without wearing gloves. Sep 06, 2019 how to treat a sting from a stinging nettle. How to use stinging nettles for health nettles are a traditional herbal ally for people with allergies, but lest you think they are just a folk remedy, a randomized, doubleblind study at the national college of naturopathic medicine in portland, oregon showed that 58 percent of hayfever sufferers given freezedried nettles rated it. Stinging nettles may change the effectiveness of these medications.
Establishing a stinging nettle patch organic forum at permies. If butterflies are the main aim then it is essential that the patch be in a sunny, sheltered location shady nettle patches are unlikely to attract butterflies. Nettlealong, harvesting stinging nettle yarn plant fibers. Stinging nettle is quite a nasty plant to touch, but oral ingestion of pills without spikes results in a moderately potent antiinflammatory that can reduce the sniffles. I have read that there are other nettles that are good to eat as foods or drink as a tea. Stinging nettles have tiny hairs covering either all or certain parts of the plants that contain a toxic substance. Stinging nettles cannot swoop in on you and deliver a burning sting, as can yellow jackets. The herb has a medicinal history stretching back to the ancient greeks who used it as a diuretic and to relieve joint pain. But since the early 1600s, cotton had pretty much replaced nettle fabric. Stinging nettle a great gift of nature discover the many outdoor uses of nettle the stinging nettle has a long history of usage by humankind as far back as prehistoric times. Stinging nettle is a plant that grows in north america, europe, and africa. In late summer, dense panicles of tiny greenishyellow.
Some have, and still do, use it as a cure for swollen joints from arthritis. Hundreds of species of plants that are commonly called nettles exist in the world, many which are named because of the similarity to a common weed known as stinging nettle or common nettle urtica dioica. In europe, the common stinging nettle urtica dioica linnaeus ssp. With that said, stinging nettle is one of the most well researched wild edibles and has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient greek times. Buy puritans pride stinging nettle 300 mg100 capsules on free shipping on qualified orders. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate called benign prostatic hyperplasia or bph, for urinary tract. How to treat a sting from a stinging nettle with pictures. Leaves, stems, and flowers are sparsely to moderately covered with stinging hairs. Its the right time of year to harvest stinging nettles for yarn purposes. Stinging nettle urtica dioica grows all over the world and blooms june through september, with pink and yellow flowers. The hairs inject histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals. Stinging nettle herb uses, benefits, cures, side effects.
Names of stinging nettle in various languages of the world are also given. Hence, this new stinging nettle pesto with green garlic recipe. Garden guides stinging nettlelike plants in florida. The root and above ground parts are used as medicine. The many stinging nettle benefits there are dozens of stinging nettle benefits including its ability to stop both internal and external bleeding, purify the blood and soften hair while nettle tea. How stinging nettle is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format. Not only do you have to watch out for the burning sting that yellow jackets can inflict while you are going about your business in the yard, but there is a weed stinging nettle that can also burn you and cause itching. Four different stinging nettlelike plants are found in florida, three of which belong to the genus urtica.
Medicinal plantsstinging nettle brandeis university. Sure, stinging nettles are nutritious, but i love them for their rich flavor and vibrant green color. Stinging nettles cannot swoop in on you and deliver a burning sting, as yellow jackets can. The many stinging nettle benefits natural health mother. Before you buy stinging nettles you can learn more about their health benefits here. It has widely spreading rhizomes and stolons, which are bright yellow as are the roots.
Stinging nettle urtica dioica is a common weed throughout much of the world. In the east and midwest, american stinging nettle occurs as far south as virginia, missouri, and kansas. Stinging nettles are plants that thrive in floodplain forests. The dried herb makes a nourishing herbal infusion that packs more energy per cup than any stimulant, and without the downside of caffeine or stimulating herbs like cayenne and ginger. It can also be categorized as a noxious weed and is quite invasive if not controlled. Stinging nettle facts and uses nettles are a food source for beneficial insects and wildlife. Yes, that stinging in the name is offputting, and rightly so. Surprisingly, the raised, itchy patches associated with the sting of nettle may provide relief. Stinging nettle, tall nettle, california nettle, slender nettle, latin name. So good, that i should try to encourage growing it rather than discourage it. Mar 03, 2015 this meant there was a real shortage of cotton fabric in germany. Stinging nettle occurs from sea level to subalpine elevations. The university of maryland medical center says stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Pdf beneficial insects associated with stinging nettle, urtica dioica.