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Urtica dioica
  • Stinging Nettle
    •  
  • Common Nettle

a perennial herbaceous member of the Urtica genus in the family Urticaceae.

Urtica dioica.jpeg
Niche
  • Herbaceous
    Herbaceous
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Pest Repellent
    Pest Repellent
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid, neutral, alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Urtica dioica has 0 edible uses listed
Urtica dioica has 0 material uses listed
Urtica dioica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin[13][14]. This action is neutralized by heat or by thorough drying, so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious[14]. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys[23].

Edible uses

Leaves

Cooked, Dried
Drink, Tea
Curdling agent, Rennet

Shoots

Drink, Alcohol, Beer
Cooked

Material uses

Stem

Fibre
Biomass

Plant

Compost
Dye

Leaves

Hair care
Liquid feed, Repellent

Seeds

Oil

Unknown part

Waterproofing

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Nettles have an ancient history of use in herbal medecine that has successfully graduated into a modern scientific context. 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 cleansing tonic and blood purifier so the plant is often used in the treatment of hay fever, arthritis, anaemia etc[29].

Nettle root extracts have been extensively studied in human clinical trials as a treatment for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These extracts have been shown to help relieve symptoms compared to placebo both by themselves [10] and when combined with other herbal medicines.[11] Because it contains 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, certain extracts of the nettle are used by bodybuilders in an effort to increase free testosterone by occupying sex-hormone binding globulin[12]

The whole plant is antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic and hypoglycaemic. An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding[2], it is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema[4]. Externally, the plant is used to treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, hair problems etc[4].

The fresh leaves of nettles have been rubbed or beaten onto the skin in the treatment of rheumatism etc. This practice, called urtification, causes intense irritation to the skin as it is stung by the nettles. For medicinal purposes, the plant is best harvested in May or June as it is coming into flower and dried for later use[2][4]. This species merits further study for possible uses against kidney and urinary system ailments[30]. 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[2]. The root has been shown to have a beneficial effect upon enlarged prostate glands[29]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic gout, nettle rash and chickenpox, externally is applied to bruises[2].

Leaves

Arthritus

Nettle leaf is a herb that has a long tradition of use as an adjuvant remedy in the treatment of arthritis in Germany. Nettle leaf extract contains active compounds that reduce TNF-? and other inflammatory cytokines.[6][7] It has been demonstrated that nettle leaf lowers TNF-? levels by potently inhibiting the genetic transcription factor that activates TNF-? and IL-1B in the synovial tissue that lines the joint.[8]

Roots

Antidandruff

Plant

Haemostatic
Galactogogue
Stings
Hypoglycaemic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Herbaceous or Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Pest Repellent

The growing plant increases the essential oil content of other nearby plants, thus making them more resistant to insect pests[21][22][24].

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Division succeeds at almost any time in the growing season. Very easy, plant them straight out into their permanent positions.

Seed

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame, only just covering the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and plant them out in the summer.


Cultivation

Prefers a soil rich in phosphates and nitrogen. Plants must be grown in a deep rich soil if good quality fibre is required[2][18]. Nettles are one of the most undervalued of economic plants. They have a wide range of uses, for food, medicines, fibres etc and are also a very important plant for wildlife. There are at least 30 species of insects that feed on it and the caterpillars of several lepidoptera species are dependant upon it for food[31]. It is a good companion plant to grow in the orchard and amongst soft fruit[26][24]. So long as it is not allowed to totally over-run the plants, it seems to improve the health of soft fruit that grows nearby and also to protect the fruit from birds, but it makes harvesting very difficult.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Urtica dioica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Urtica dioica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Urtica dioica
Genus
Urtica
Family
Urticaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[7][8][9][6][10][11][12][1][2][3][4][16][32][13][14]
Medicinal uses
[29][2][9][13][11][28][4][27][30]
Material uses & Functions
[14][7][2][17][10][11][18][19][20][6][21][22][24][25][26][23][3]
Botanic
[33][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Pest Repellent
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
Temperate climates
Native Environment
Waste ground, hedgerows, woods etc, preferring a rich soil and avoiding acid soils
Ecosystem Niche
Herbaceous, Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
herbaceous
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
1.2 x 1 metres
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

"image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Urtica dioica.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.




References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (32202/01/01)
  2. ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.102.112.122.132.142.152.162.172.182.192.20 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (32202/01/01)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (32202/01/01)
  5. ? [[1]] Wikipedia (2012/09/16)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (32202/01/01)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (32202/01/01)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.5 The Herb Society Herbal Review. Vol.11. 3. The Herb Society ISBN 0264-9853 (32202/01/01)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (32202/01/01)
  14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
  15. ? Wild food [Nettle Beer] Wild Foods (2012/09/16)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (32202/01/01)
  17. ? 17.017.1 Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana ISBN 0-00-635555-2 (32202/01/01)
  18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.4 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  19. ? 19.019.1 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (32202/01/01)
  20. ? 20.020.1 Bruce. M. E. Commonsense Compost Making. Faber ISBN 0-571-09990-4 (32202/01/01)
  21. ? 21.021.121.221.3 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (32202/01/01)
  22. ? 22.022.122.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (32202/01/01)
  23. ? 23.023.123.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
  24. ? 24.024.124.224.3 Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (32202/01/01)
  25. ? 25.025.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (32202/01/01)
  26. ? 26.026.126.2 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
  27. ? 27.027.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (32202/01/01)
  28. ? 28.028.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  29. ? 29.029.129.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (32202/01/01)
  30. ? 30.030.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (32202/01/01)
  31. ? Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan ISBN 0-330-26642-x (32202/01/01)
  32. ? Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (32202/01/01)
  33. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-17


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Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Urtica_dioica&oldid=71473"
Facts about "Urtica dioica"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyUrticaceae +
Belongs to genusUrtica +
Functions asPest Repellent +
Has common nameStinging Nettle + and Common Nettle +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves + and Shoots +
Has edible useCooked +, Dried +, Drink +, Tea +, Curdling agent +, Rennet +, Alcohol + and Beer +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageUrtica dioica.jpeg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partStem +, Plant +, Leaves +, Seeds + and Unknown part +
Has material useFibre +, Biomass +, Compost +, Hair care +, Liquid feed +, Repellent +, Oil +, Waterproofing + and Dye +
Has mature height1.2 +
Has mature width1 +
Has medicinal partLeaves +, Roots + and Plant +
Has medicinal useArthritus +, Antidandruff +, Haemostatic +, Galactogogue +, Stings + and Hypoglycaemic +
Has primary imageUrtica dioica.jpeg +
Has search nameurtica dioica + and x +
Has seed requiring scarificationNo +
Has seed requiring stratificationNo +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameUrtica dioica +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheHerbaceous + and Soil surface +
Is grown fromSeeds +
Is herbaceous or woodyHerbaceous +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Native to environmentWaste ground +, Hedgerows +, Woods etc + and Preferring a rich soil and avoiding acid soils +
Native to geographical rangeTemperate climates +
Tolerates air pollutionNo +
Tolerates maritime exposureNo +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMetres +