nettle

1. Any of numerous plants of the genus Urtica, having toothed leaves, unisexual apetalous flowers, and stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact.
2. Any of various hairy, stinging, or prickly plants.

1. To sting with or as if with a nettle.
2. To irritate; vex.

[Middle English, from Old English netele.]

The young leaves of the stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, can be cooked as a vegetable and used to make nettle beer.

verb

To trouble the nerves or peace of mind of, especially by repeated vexations: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, disturb, exasperate, fret, gall², get, irk, irritate, peeve, provoke, put out, rile, ruffle, vex. Idioms: get in one's hair, get on one's nerves, get under one's skin. See feelings, pain/pleasure.

Definition: provoke, upset
Antonyms: appease, mollify, please

Description

Nettle is a member of the Urticaceae family, which includes as many as 500 species worldwide. Many species are tropical. The stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) grows wild in nitrogen-rich soil on the edges of fields, stream banks, waste places, and close to stables and human habitations throughout the United States and Europe. This fibrous perennial is found throughout the world in temperate regions from Japan to the Andes Mountains. The plant seeds itself, and, in favorable conditions, nettle spreads freely from its tough, creeping yellow root. The hairy, erect, single stalks grow in dense clusters giving the plant a bushy look. The square stems produce heart-shaped, alternate leaves with pointed tips and deeply serrated edges. Leaves are dark green on the top and are a paler green and downy on the underside. The plant grows as tall as 4 ft (1.2 m). Leaves and stems are covered with needlelike hairs that pierce the skin on contact. The plant delivers a sharp sting and a lingering irritation caused by a combination of formic acid, serotonin, acetylcholine, and 5-hydroxytrypt-amine injected through the tiny needlelike hairs.

The common name nettle is taken from the Anglo-Saxon word noedl meaning "needle." Nettle's tiny green flowers grow in dangling clusters in the angles formed by the stalk and stem of the leaf. Flowers bloom from July to September. Each small fruit contains just one seed. Male and female flowers usually grow on separate plants of the stinging nettle, hence the species name dioica, meaning "separate," or "two houses." The genus name, Urtica, is taken from the Latin uro, "to burn." Small nettle (U. urens), an annual, usually has both male and female flowers on the same branched cluster. Its properties and uses are similar to those of the stinging nettle.

Older herbals cite the planet Mars with dominion over this common wayside plant. Nettle was certainly used in many battles. Roman nettle (U. pilulifera) is said to have been brought to Britain by Caesar's troops, who used the plant to flail themselves in an effort to keep warm in the cool, damp climate. Nettle's fibrous characteristics rival those of hemp and flax. Nettle fibers were woven into fabric for sails and ropes, and for German army uniforms as recently as World War I.

General Use

Despite its piercing defense, the stinging nettle has long been valued as a medicinal and nutritional treasure. Nettle has astringent, expectorant, galactagogue (milk producing), tonic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and diuretic properties. The plant is rich in chlorophyll, and a good source of beta carotene; vitamins A, C, and E; tannins; iron; calcium; phosphates; and various other minerals, especially silica. The active ingredients include water-soluble polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system, and large protein-sugar molecules known as lectins. The entire plant may be used in various medicinal preparations.

Nettle leaf is used in a simple infusion as a tonic decoction to cleanse the blood. Nettle can also be combined with yellow dock (Rumex crispis), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), cleavers (Galium aparine), and burdock root (Arctium lappa). In folk medicine, the plant was used in a practice known as urtication. The fresh herb was thrashed across the skin to induce a stinging, burning sensation used to relieve the deeper pain of rheumatism. A leaf infusion, or a homeopathic tincture of nettle, may also be helpful as supportive therapy for rheumatism. With sufficient water intake, nettle acts as a diuretic and is helpful in treating arthritis and rheumatism. A team of German researchers has reported that the anti-inflammatory effect of nettle is related to its suppression of a type of cell that stimulates the inflammatory response.

An early twentieth-century herbalist reported that the juice of the fresh leaves and root (or the dried leaf when burned and inhaled) was useful to treat asthma. Nettle seeds, when ingested, were once thought to be beneficial in the treatment of bites from "mad dogs" or the stinging of "venomous creatures," according to Nicolas Culpeper, a seventeenth century doctor. Seeds were also used as an antidote to poisonous herbs such as nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) and henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), though no recent studies support this use.

Nettle is thought to be particularly helpful for treating urinary tract problems. An infusion of the leaves may be used for inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract. The infusion is thought to flush the system and to help expel kidney gravel. It has also been used internally to stop bleeding. An ointment preparation of the aerial parts, or a strong infusion, can be applied externally to relieve hemorrhoids. Nettle can increase and enrich the flow of milk in breast-feeding mothers.

Clinical studies have confirmed stinging nettle's benefit to men in reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland). A concentrated root extract of nettle is sometimes combined with saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and the bark of the pygeum evergreen tree (Pygeum africanum) to treat the early stages of the disease. The herbal combination helps to increase the urinary volume and maximize the rate of urine flow. German research suggests that active ingredients in the nettle root may reduce prostate swelling.

During allergy season, a tincture of the fresh herb, or an infusion as a tea, may reduce symptoms of hay fever, such as itchy eyes and sneezing. However, a study published in 2002 indicates that the antiallergic effects attributed to nettle require further study. Nettle's expectorant properties have been beneficial for coughs and have been used to expel phlegm from the lungs and stomach. The freshly gathered and cooked herb was used as a nutritive potherb in folk medicine to treat consumption. Nettle continues to be valued by wild-food foragers as an early spring potherb, rich in minerals. Nettle juice may be used as a vegetarian substitute for rennet to curdle milk when making cheese.

When boiled with equal parts vinegar and water, a decoction of the plant (particularly the root) is a beneficial and conditioning hair and scalp rinse useful in cases of dandruff and thinning hair. A nettle rinse won't restore hair to a bald head. However, it will lend a shine and enhance the color of the hair one does have. A small piece of cotton soaked in a nettle decoction and placed in the nostril can be used to stop a nosebleed. The root, when boiled, will produce a yellow dye, and the leaves produce a permanent, light green dye for wool.

Preparations

Numerous commercial preparations of the herb are available in the form of capsules, dried leaf for tea, homeopathic tinctures, or ointments. The medicinal potency of the herb will vary depending on the growing conditions and the manner and care with which the herb is harvested and prepared.

The fresh leaves and stems should be gathered from young plants on a dry day, just before the plant flowers. Caution should be used when harvesting to avoid the sting. Nettle's aerial parts may be used fresh or dried. To dry, the bunches are hung upside down out of direct sun in an airy room. The root is harvested in the fall when the plant has died back. It is washed thoroughly. Large roots may be chopped into slices while fresh and spread on a tray in a warm, sunny room for several days. Dried plant parts are stored in sealed containers in a dark place.

To make an infusion, 2 oz of fresh, finely chopped nettle leaves are combined with 2.5 cups of fresh, nonchlorinated water (2 tbsp of the dried herb may be used). This mixture is brought to a boil, removed from the heat, and covered. The tea is steeped for about 10 minutes. It is then strained and can be drunk warm or cold. The prepared tea can be stored for about two days in the refrigerator. Dosage for a general tonic is 3 or 4 cups per day. Ample fresh water should be drunk when using nettle as a diuretic tea.

To make a decoction, 2 oz of fresh or 1 tbsp of dried root is combined in a nonmetallic pan with 2.5 cups of water. The mixture is simmered for two minutes, then steeped for 10 minutes. The mixture is then strained.

To extract the juice, an abundance of nettle leaves and stems are gathered. A household food processor or juicer may be used to pulp the plant parts. The resulting pulp is then squeezed through a sieve. The juice is then sealed in dark glass containers and refrigerated.

To make an essential oil, the fresh nettle leaves and stems are packed in a large glass container. They are then covered completely with olive oil. A lid is placed on the container and the mixture is left on a sunny windowsill for two to three weeks. It is stirred daily. After this time period, the mixture is strained through cheesecloth and the oil is stored in a dark glass container.

To make an ointment, beeswax or petroleum jelly is melted in the top of a glass or ceramic double boiler. Finely chopped nettle leaf and stems are stirred in. The mixture is heated on low for about two hours. The mixture is strained through cheesecloth and, with gloved hands, the liquid is squeezed from the cloth. The liquid is then poured into clean, dark glass storage containers while still warm. The containers should be sealed with tight-fitting lids and stored away from direct sunlight.

Precautions

Gloves should always be worn when nettle is harvested to avoid the sharp sting. According to folk tradition, fresh yellow dock leaves may alleviate the burning when rubbed on nettle stings. When using stinging nettle preparations to irrigate and flush out the urinary tract, or as a treatment of kidney gravel, abundant fluid intake is required. Stinging nettle preparations are not to be used in the treatment of fluid retention brought on by reduced heart or kidney function. This plant should never be harvested after flowers appear because if harvested at this time, the plant can cause urinary tract damage.

Side Effects

Aside from the distinctive sting when touching the fresh plant, there are few side effects from use of the herb in properly prepared therapeutic doses. Mild gastrointestinal distress may occasionally occur. Some people are allergic to nettle.

This plant should not be consumed raw because it can irritate mucous membranes. Leaves of the young plant can be safely consumed when cooked as a nutritional potherb. Boiling the young leaves and stems disarms the stinging hairs. Drying the herb also disarms the stinging hairs. The uncooked, mature nettles should not be eaten.

Interactions

Nettle appears to intensify the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which are commonly given for arthritis and similar conditions. While this increased effect may be beneficial to patients with arthritis, they should nonetheless consult a health-care provider before taking nettle.

Resources

Books

The Alternative Advisor. Time/Life, 1999.

Lust, John. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1994.

The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines And Healing Therapies. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999.

PDR for Herbal Medicines. New Jersey: Medical Economics Company, 1998.

Periodicals

Broer, J., and B. Behnke. "Immunosuppressant Effect of IDS 30, a Stinging Nettle Leaf Extract, on Myeloid Dendritic Cells in Vitro." Journal of Rheumatology 29 (April 2002): 659-666.

Jaber, R. "Respiratory and Allergic Diseases: From Upper Respiratory Tract Infections to Asthma." Primary Care 29 (June 2002): 231-261.

Lowe, F. C., and E. Fagelman. "Phytotherapy in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia." Current Opinions in Urology 12 (January 2002): 15-18.

Schulze-Tanzil, G., B. Behnke, S. Klingelhöfer, et al. "Effects of the Antirheumatic Remedy Hox Alpha—A New Stinging Nettle Leaf Extract—On Matrix Metalloproteinases in Human Chondrocytes in Vitro." Histology and Histopathology 17 (April 2002): 477-485.

Vahlensieck, W., Jr. "With Alpha Blockers, Finasteride and Nettle Root Against Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Which Patients Are Helped by Conservative Therapy?" [in German] MMWFortschritte der Medizin 144 (April 18, 2002): 33-36.

Organizations

American Botanical Council. 6200 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78714-4345. (512) 926-4900. .

Other

"Nettle." MotherNature.com.http://www.mothernature.com/ency/Herb/Nettle.asp. (1998).

[Article by: Clare Hanrahan; Rebecca J. Frey, PhD]

It is still generally accepted that nettle stings can be cured by the application of a dock leaf, but in the past it seems that the accompanying words were as important a part of the procedure as the physical process: ‘Nettle in—dock out, dock in—nettle out’ (Northumberland, 1851); or ‘Dock, go in, nettle, go out, Dock shall have a white smock, And nettle shall go without’ (Addy, 1895: 92). Even Chaucer knew the charm: as Troilus is protesting that he cannot suddenly stop loving Criseyde, ‘But kanstow playen racket, to and fro, Nettle in, dok out, now this, now that’ (Troilus and Criseyde (c.1374), IV, lines 460-1). Nettles also featured strongly in the calendar customs associated with Royal Oak Day. The traditional punishment for children not wearing an oak leaf on that day was that their legs could be attacked with nettles wielded by other children. The plant also features regularly in folk medicine (see Vickery).

Bibliography
The full bibliography list is available here.

• Vickery, 1995: 253-8
• Opie
• and Tatem, 1989: 279
• Roy Vickery, Folk Life 31 (1992-3), 88-93

Mimicking the effect of a nettle. Causing irritation to the skin and eyes, and to the bronchi if inhaled and the oral mucosa if ingested.

"Nettles" redirects here. For people with this name, see Nettles (surname).

For other uses, see Nettle (disambiguation).

Nettle
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Urticales Family: Urticaceae Genus: Urtica L., 1753
Species
See text.

detail of flowering stinging nettle

Nettle is the common name for between 30-45 species of flowering plants of the genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae, with a cosmopolitan though mainly temperate distribution. They are mostly herbaceous perennial plants, but some are annual and a few are shrubby.

The most prominent member of the genus is the stinging nettle Urtica dioica, native to Europe, north Africa, Asia, and North America. The genus also contains a number of other species with similar properties, listed below. However, a large number of species names that will be encountered in this genus in the older literature (about 100 species have been described) are now recognized as synonyms of Urtica dioica. Some of these taxa are still recognized as subspecies.

Most of the species listed below share the property of having stinging hairs, and might be expected to have similar medicinal uses to the stinging nettle. The stings of Urtica ferox, the ongaonga or tree nettle of New Zealand, have been known to kill horses, dogs and at least one human.^[1]

The nature of the toxin secreted by nettles is not settled. The stinging hairs of most nettle species contain formic acid, serotonin and histamine; however recent studies of Urtica thunbergiana (Fu et al., 2006) implicate oxalic acid and tartaric acid rather than any of those substances, at least in that species.

Contents 1 Species of nettle 2 Similar plants 3 Uses and medical properties of nettles 4 Safety 5 See also 6 Footnotes 7 References 8 External links

Species of nettle

Species in the genus Urtica, and their primary natural ranges, include:

• Urtica angustifolia Fisch. ex Hornem. 1819. China, Japan, Korea.
• Urtica ardens. China.
• Urtica atrichocaulis. Himalaya, southwestern China.
• Urtica atrovirens. Western Mediterranean region.
• Urtica cannabina L. 1753. Western Asia from Siberia to Iran.
• Urtica chamaedryoides (heartleaf nettle). Southeastern North America.
• Urtica dioica L. 1753 (stinging nettle or bull nettle). Europe, Asia, North America.
• Urtica dubia (large-leaved nettle). Canada.
• Urtica ferox (ongaonga or tree nettle). New Zealand.
• Urtica fissa. China.
• Urtica galeopsifolia Wierzb. ex Opiz, 1825, (fen nettle or stingless nettle). Europe. (Often considered a subspecies of Urtica dioica.)
• Urtica gracilenta (mountain nettle). Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, northern Mexico.
• Urtica hyperborea. Himalaya from Pakistan to Bhutan, Mongolia and Tibet, high altitudes.
• Urtica incisa (scrub nettle). Australia.
• Urtica kioviensis Rogow. 1843. Eastern Europe.
• Urtica laetivirens Maxim. 1877. Japan, Manchuria.
• Urtica linearifolia. Creeping or Swamp Nettle. New Zealand.
• Urtica mairei. Himalaya, southwestern China, northeastern India, Myanmar.
• Urtica membranacea. Mediterranean region, Azores.
• Urtica morifolia. Canary Islands (endemic).
• Urtica parviflora. Himalaya (lower altitudes).
• Urtica pilulifera (Roman nettle). Southern Europe.
• Urtica platyphylla Wedd. 1856-1857. China, Japan.
• Urtica pubescens Ledeb. 1833. Southwestern Russia east to central Asia.
• Urtica rupestris. Sicily (endemic).
• Urtica sondenii (Simmons) Avrorin ex Geltman, 1988. Northeastern Europe, northern Asia.
• Urtica taiwaniana. Taiwan.
• Urtica thunbergiana. Japan, Taiwan.
• Urtica triangularisa
• Urtica urens L. 1753 (dwarf nettle or annual nettle). Europe, North America.

The family Urticaceae also contains some other plants called nettles that are not members of the genus Urtica. These include the wood nettle Laportea canadensis, found in eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Florida, and the false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica, found in most of the United States east of the Rockies. As its name implies, the false nettle does not sting.

Similar plants

Other members of other genera in the Urticaceae, with powerful stings:

• Giant stinging tree (Dendrocnide excelsa)
• Gympie (Dendrocnide moroides )
• Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis )
• Nettle Tree (Urera baccifera )

There are a number of other plants whose common names include the word Nettle but which are neither part of the Urticacea nor do they sting. These include:

• Dead-nettle (Lamium spp.) and hedge-nettle (Stachys spp.) which are in the Lamiaceae or mint family.
• Devil's nettle, which is another name for yarrow.
• Carolina horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) in the Solanaceae.
• Spurge-nettle (Cnidolscolus stimulosus) in the Euphorbiaceae.

There are also plants which can produce stinging sensations but which are unrelated to the Urticaceae [1]

• Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia spp., Araceae)
• Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens, Fabaceae)
• Bull Nettle or Spurge Nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosus, Euphorbiaceae)
• Ciega-vista (Croton ciliato-glandulosus, Euphorbiaceae)
• Stinging Spurge (Jatropha urens L., Euphorbiaceae)
• Noseburn (Tragia spp., Euphorbiaceae)
• Nilgiri Nettle (Girardinia leschenaultiana )

Uses and medical properties of nettles

Close-up detail of the stinging hairs.

For medicinal, food and other uses please see Stinging nettle. Since almost all historical evidence of use of nettles in medicine, folk remedies, cooking and fiber production relate exclusively to one species - Urtica dioica - it is inappropriate and probably inaccurate to assume that all nettles exhibit similar properties.

Safety

This article appears to contradict the article Nettles in folklore. Please see discussion on the linked talk page. Please do not remove this message until the contradictions are resolved.

Though the fresh leaves can cause painful stings and acute urticaria, these are rarely seriously harmful (but see remarks in the introductory section regarding the U. ferox, ongaonga or tree nettle of New Zealand). Otherwise most species of nettles are extremely safe and some are even eaten as vegetables after being steamed.

See also

• Lamium, the "deadnettles".
• Nettles in folklore
• Mopiko, a nettle rash cream.
• Rumex, Dock leaves for sting easement and nullification of longer term effects.
• Poison oak
• Poison ivy
• Poison sumac

Footnotes

1. ^ Connor, H.E. (1977). The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 99. ISSN 0077-916X

References

• Anderberg, Kirsten (2005). Folk uses and history of medicinal uses of nettles. Nettles, Nettles, Everywhere
• Chrubasik S, Enderlein W, Bauer R, Grabner W. (1997). Evidence for the antirheumatic effectiveness of herba Urticae dioicae in acute arthritis: A pilot study. Phytomedicine 4: 105-108.
• Dathe G, Schmid H. (1987). Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Double-blind study with extract of root of urtica (ERU). Urologe B 27: 223-226 [in German].
• Fu H Y, Chen S J, Chen R F, Ding W H, Kuo-Huang L L, Huang R N (2006). Identification of oxalic acid and tartaric acid as major persistent pain-inducing toxins in the stinging hairs of the nettle, Urtica thunbergiana. Annals of Botany (London), 98:57-65. Abstract
• Holden, Margaret (1948). "An alkali-producing mechanism in macerated leaves". Biochemical Journal 42 (3): 332–336. http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1258718&blobtype=pdf. Retrieved 2006-09-25. 
• Kirchhoff HW. (1983). Brennesselsaft als Diuretikum. Z. Phytother. 4: 621-626 [in German].
• Krzeski T, Kazón M, Borkowski A, et al. (1993). Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses. Clinical Therapy 15 (6): 1011-1020.
• Mittman, P. (1990). Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 56: 44-47.
• Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, et al. (2000). Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. J. Roy. Soc. Med. 93: 305-309. reported online in British Medical Journal
• Yarnell E. (1998). Stinging nettle: A modern view of an ancient healing plant. Alt. Compl. Therapy 4: 180-186 (review).
• Healthy Life Magazine, Inc. (June 2007) p.78

External links

• Nature's Secret Larder
• Flora Europaea: Urtica
• Flora of North America: Urtica
• Flora of China: Urtica
• Plants for a Future database search for Nettle
• HerbalGram and American Botanical Council website search for Urtica
• Historical & Current Uses for Nettles

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - nælde
v. tr. - brænde (som en nælde), irritere, ærgre, provokere

idioms:

• nettle rash    nældefeber

Nederlands (Dutch)
netel, ergernis, op stang jagen, prikken, ergeren

Français (French)
n. - ortie
v. tr. - agacer

idioms:

• nettle rash    urticaire

Deutsch (German)
n. - Nessel
v. - ärgern, reizen

idioms:

• nettle rash    Nesselausschlag

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (φυτολ.) κνίδη (κν. τσουκνίδα)
v. - ερεθίζω, δαιμονίζω

idioms:

• nettle rash    (παθολ.) ορτυκάρια, ερεθισμός, φαγούρα

Italiano (Italian)
indispettire, ortica

idioms:

• grasp the nettle    prendere il toro per le corna
• nettle rash    orticaria

Português (Portuguese)
n. - urtiga (f)
v. - irritar, pinicar

idioms:

• grasp the nettle    assumir uma tarefa desagradável
• nettle rash    urticária (f) (Med.)

Русский (Russian)
поддразнивать, крапива

idioms:

• grasp the nettle    взять быка за рога
• nettle rash    крапивница

Español (Spanish)
n. - ortiga
v. tr. - hacer rabiar, picar, irritar, picar con una ortiga

idioms:

• nettle rash    urticaria

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - nässla
v. - bränna, reta, såra, sporra

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
荨麻, 惹怒, 使恼火, 用荨麻刺

idioms:

• nettle rash    风疹

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 蕁麻
v. tr. - 惹怒, 使惱火, 用蕁麻刺

idioms:

• nettle rash    風疹

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 쐐기풀 무리
v. tr. - 초조하게 하다, 쐐기풀처럼 찌르다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - イラクサ
v. - 怒らせる

idioms:

• nettle rash    蕁麻疹

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) القراص : نبات شائك (فعل) يلدغ, يلسغ, يغضب‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮סרפד‬
v. tr. - ‮הרגיז, הקניט, עקץ (סרפד)‬

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