Common nettle or stinging nettle, scientifinally called urtica dioica is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant. It is native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, and western North America and introduced elsewhere. It is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica. Nettle herb grows freely, along roads and in gardens. The flowering season is usually between July and September. The plant has a long history of use as a source of medicine, food and fibre.

Nettle is abudant 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, but is still common. 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 northernmost Mexico. It grows in abudance in the Pacific Northwest, especially in places where annual rainfall is high. In Europe, nettles have a strong association with human habitation and buildings. The presence of nettles may indicate the site of a long-abandonded building. Human and animal waste may be responsible for elevated levels of phosphate and nitrogen in the soil, providing an ideal environment for nettles.

Nettle has a flavour similar to spinach mixed with cucumber when cooked. Young plants were harvested by Native Americans and used as a cooked plant in spring when other food plants were scarce. Soaking stringing nettles in water or cooking removes the stinging chemicals from the plant, which allows them to be handled and eaten without injury. In its peak season, nettle contains up to 25% protein, dry weight, which is quite high for a leafy green vegetable. Neetle is usually used as a tea, decoction or tincture.

Neetles can be used in a great variety of recipes, such as polenta, pesto and puree. Nettle soup is a common use of the plant, particularly in Northern and Eastern Europe. Nettles are used in Albania as part of the dough filling for the traditional borek recipe.

Nettle is commonly used to cure malnutrition on account of its high content of important nutrients. In fact, it is used as a vital component in diets of patients suffering from fatal diseases. Some of the nutritional components found in nettle are vitamins D, A and C and minerals including iron, phosphorus and magnesium. Nettle, as stated above, is very rich in protein, namely histamine, which helps boost the immune system of the body, thereby improving the functioning of all the physiological systems. Nettle is also a rich source of anti-inflammatory flavonoids and certain plant sterols. As such, nettle is widely used as a source of nutrition and is also known for its therapeutic uses.

Medicinal Applications:

• Nettle is a powerful coagulant, which assists in the process of blood coagulation. As such, it leads to faster healing of wounds and also prevents septic infections. Nettle herb is also a hemostatic and prevents hemorrhaging.
• Nettle is also used as an emanagogue, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle. It also helps control heaving bleeding.
• The herb, being a rich source of iron, helps in formation of red blood cells,thereby preventing and treating anemia.
• Nettle is known for its diuretic properties. It promotes excretion by way of urination, thereby allowing the body to expel waste materials and toxins.
• The plant has astringent properties and serves to cleanse the digestive system. It also regulates bowel movement and prevents a variety of digestive disorders.
• It may also be used to regulate and control blood sugar. Diabetics may consume nettle tea at least once a day to control the level of sugar in the blood stream.

This is to inform you that we are not doctors. What is written above has a simple character and in no way replaces medical application. Always consult your doctor about your health issues.