Practical
Plants

Urtica urens

Annual Nettle

an annual member of the Urtica genus in the family Urticaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Urtica
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin[14][13]. This action is neutralized by heat so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious[13]. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys[9].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked and used as a potherb[1][25][4][21][2][11]. A very nutritious food, high in vitamins and minerals, it makes an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups and stews. Only use the young leaves and wear stout gloves when harvesting them to prevent getting stung. Although the fresh leaves have stinging hairs, thoroughly drying or cooking them destroys these hairs. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots[13].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Nettles have a long history of use in the home as a herbal remedy. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used as a tonic and blood purifier. The whole plant is antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and a stimulating tonic[20][25][14][19][7][17]. An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding[20], it is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema[17]. Externally, the plant is used to treat arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, hair problems etc[17]. For medicinal purposes, the plant is best harvested in May or June as it is coming into flower and dried for later use[20][17]. This species merits further study for possible uses against kidney and urinary system ailments[15]. The juice of the nettle can be used as an antidote to stings from the leaves and an infusion of the fresh leaves is healing and soothing as a lotion for burns[20]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant, gathered when in flower[16]. A useful first-aid remedy, it is used in the treatment of ailments such as bites and stings, burns, hives and breast feeding problems[16].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antidandruff
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A strong flax-like fibre is obtained from the stems[13]. Used for string and cloth[1][20][24][5][19], it also makes a good quality paper[3]. It is harvested as the plant begins to die down in early autumn[26]. An essential ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[18], the leaves are also an excellent addition to the compost heap[4][10][12] and they can be soaked for 7 - 21 days in water to make a very nutritious liquid feed for plants[23]. This liquid feed is both insect repellent and a good foliar feed[6][10][22]. The growing plant increases the essential oil content of other nearby plants, thus making them more resistant to insect pests[10][12][23]. A hair wash is made from the infused leaves and this is used as a tonic and antidandruff treatment[9]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[20][3][16]. A yellow dye is obtained from the root[3][16]. An oil extracted from the seeds is used as an illuminant in lamps[16].

Product or use
Compost
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Liquid feed
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Northern temperate regions, including Britain.
Habitat
A weed of cultivated land and waste places, preferring light soils[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a nitrogen-rich soil[13]. The best fibre is produced when plants are grown on deep fertile soils[13]. Dislikes shade[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  6. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩

  7. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2

  10. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  12. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  14. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  15. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  16. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  17. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  18. Bruce. M. E. Commonsense Compost Making. Faber 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-571-09990-4

    ↩

  19. The Herb Society Herbal Review. Vol.11. 3. The Herb Society 1986-00-00 ISBN 0264-9853

    ↩1↩2

  20. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  21. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  22. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩

  23. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩1↩2

  24. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩

  25. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2

  26. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩

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