Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration (THMR).

Anti-asthmatic; anti-dandruff; anti-rheumatic; anti-seborrheic; astringent; diuretic; galactogogue; haemostatic; hypoglycaemic and tonic.
Plants for a Future at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Urtica+dioica link

Medicinal uses Uses supported by clinical data Symptomatic treatment of lower urinary tract disorders (nocturia, polyuria, urinary retention) resulting from BPH stages I and II, as defi ned by Alken, in cases where diagnosis of prostate cancer is negative (22–35). Uses described in pharmacopoeias and traditional systems of medicine As a diuretic and for the treatment of rheumatism and sciatica (6). Uses described in folk medicine, not supported by experimental or clinical data Treatment of asthma, coughs, dandruff, diabetes, diarrhoea, eczema, fever, gout, haemorrhoids, nose bleeds, scurvy, snakebites and tuberculosis (5, 6). The plant has also been used to stop uterine bleeding after childbirth, increase lactation and promote hair growth, and as a vermifuge (5, 6). Contraindications Radix Urticae is contraindicated in cases of known allergy to plants of the Urticaceae family. Owing to its effects on androgen and estrogen metabolism, the use of Radix Urticae during pregnancy and lactation and in children under the age of 12 years is contraindicated.
WHO WHO monographs on medicinal plants commonly used in the Newly Independent States (NIS). 2010. WHO, Geneva

Other use

Young leaves can be cooked as a potherb and added to soups.
Plants for a Future at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk

Toxicity

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin. This action is neutralized by heat or by thorough drying, so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious.

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Libya
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Tunisia
  • Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, North Caucasus
  • Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, Transcaucasus
  • Asia-Temperate, China
  • Asia-Temperate, Siberia
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Afghanistan
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Cyprus
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iraq
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Lebanon-Syria
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, East Himalaya
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, India
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Nepal
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Pakistan
  • Europe, Eastern Europe
  • Europe, Middle Europe
  • Europe, Northern Europe
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe
  • Northern America, Eastern Canada
  • Northern America, Mexico
  • Northern America, Northeastern U.S.A.
  • Northern America, Northwestern U.S.A.
  • Northern America, South-Central U.S.A.
  • Northern America, Southeastern U.S.A.
  • Northern America, Southwestern U.S.A.
  • Northern America, Subarctic America
  • Northern America, Western Canada

Urtica dioica L.

Family: URTICACEAE
Genus: Urtica
Species: dioica L.
Common names: Stinging nettle
Pharmacopoeia Londinensis name: Urtica/Urtica vulgaris
Distribution summary: Eurasia, N.America
Conservation status (IUCN Red List): Least Concern
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Deciduous woods, scrub, hedgerows, calcareous woods
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Plane tree bed (P)
Flowering months: May, June, July, August, September, October
Reason for growing: Medicinal, other use, toxic, traditional herbal registration


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