Name: Nettle
Biological Name: Urtica dioica

Synonyms
Urtica dioica L. , Urtica gracilis Ait., U. major Kanitz., U. urens maxima Blackw.
Urtica urens L. , Urtica minor Fuchs, U. minor Moench., U. urens minima Dod.
Other Names: Nettle, Stinging Nettle, common stinging nettle, common nettle
Selected vernacular names
Urtica dioica L.
Brennesselwurzel, common nettle, csalángyökér, gazaneh, grande ortie, greater nettle, grosse Brennessel, Haarnesselwurzel, Hanfnesselwurzel, hhurrayq, Nesselwurzel, nettle root, ortica, ortie, ortiga, pokrzywa, qurrays, racine d’ortie, raiz de ortiga, stinging nettle, tsuknida, zwyczajna.
Urtica urens L.
Dwarf nettle, Eiternessel, kleine Brennessel, lesser nettle, ortica minore, ortica piccola, ortie brulante, petite ortie, sha’reláguz, small nettle

Description
Urtica dioica L.
A herbaceous perennial with erect, green to purplish square stems, 30–150cm high, with creeping roots; whole plant covered with stinging hairs. Leaves opposite, cordate at the base, oblong or ovate, finely toothed; upper surface dark green and underside paler. Flowers incomplete, small, green, dioecious (plant has either male or female flowers in separate inflorescences) and occur
as racemes in axils of upper leaves; male or barren flowers have a perianth of 4 segments and 4 stamens, which are bent inwards at bud stage; female or fertile flowers have similar perianth surrounding a single 1-seeded carpel, bearing 1 style with a brush-like stigma. Fruit an achene.
Urtica urens L.
A herbaceous annual resembling Urtica dioica, but is smaller (usually up to 30cm high), has smaller leaves and flowers are in short, mostly unbranched clusters; male and female flowers appear together in the same raceme. Glabrous except for the stinging hairs

Parts Used: Aerial parts

Active Compounds:
Chlorophyll in high yields
Indoles such as histamine and serotonin
Acetylcholine
Vitamin C and other vitamins, protein and dietary fiber.

Remedies For:
Astringent, diuretic, tonic, hypotensive, pectoral, styptic, rubefacient.

Nettles strengthen and support the whole body. They are used as a spring tonic and general detoxifying remedy. In some cases of rheumatism and arthritis they can be astoundingly successful. They are a specific in cases of childhood eczema and beneficial in all the varieties of this condition, especially in nervous eczema. Also useful for nose bleeds or to relieve the symptoms wherever there is hemorrhage in the body, for example in uterine hemorrhage.

Traditional herbalists believed that nettle tea is a great hair tonic and will bring back the natural color of the hair. The leaves are excellent blood purifier.

Combinations : Nettles will combine well with Figwort and Burdock in the treatment of eczema.

Dosage:
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: take l-4ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety:
No information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.