Stinging Nettle
Latin: Urtica dioica
Family: Urticaceae.
Family: Urticaceae.
Sometimes, life stings.
(Nettle)
(Nettle)
The first plants to emerge in spring give us the most hope, the strongest and finest faith, and as a reflection of our own journey, the strength to stand our ground, to change when we need to, to embrace and protect what we love, and to hold our hearts above all else. Born under the covenant of New Life, having weathered the weight of winter and having become stronger from it, even wilder because of it, her crystal flakes shimmer starlit codes, universal secrets fall down to the hardest winter roots. When the freezing stops and the snow melts, having swam in mysterious water the plants rise up to express their joy, perhaps relief even, knowing full well the nature of their hard-earned inner strength – learning again every year how to trust – promising to not forget again at least for this season...they sing to you: “This Is What You Were Born For.”
Originally native to Europe, much of temperate Asia and western North Africa, it is now found worldwide, growing on all continents, throughout the New and Old Worlds, preferring to grow in shaded, damp habitats and disturbed soils. However Nettle will grow anywhere it is needed in times of stress to the land, it heals the damp and disturbed as well as the hot-tempered summer cuts/wounded earth.
Properties & Actions
Actions: Adrenal tonic, Alterative, Antiallergenic, Anti-catarrhal, Antihistamine, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anthelmintic (seeds), Antirheumatic, Antiscorbutic, Antiseptic (leaf and seed), Astringent, Blood tonic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Circulatory tonic, Decongestant, Depurative, Diuretic, Endocrine tonic (seeds), Expectorant, Febrifuge, Galactagogue, Hemostatic, Hypoglycemic, Kidney tonic, Lithotriptic, Mucolytic, Nervine, Nutritive, Parturient, Pectoral, Rejuvenative (seeds), Thyroid tonic (seeds), Tonic (leaf, root, seed), Styptic, Uterine tonic, Vermifuge (seeds)
Benefits & Uses
Nettle activates the entire endocrine system and especially the thyroid and adrenal glands, activating the body's innate intelligence and absolute ability to restore itself to perfect health. As a diuretic and kidney restorative Nettle purifies the waters of the body, aiding the kidneys in their role of filtering metabolic waste from the blood and lymph. Nettles is also considered a supremely nutritive plant (containing a complete amino acid profile as well as providing highly charged mineral and vitamin content) and so is one of those rare plants that detoxifies and builds tissues simultaneously, making it ideal for all cleansing protocol. (Caycee)
The Modern German Pharmacopoeia lists Nettle in its Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. Moreover, the German authorities have approved Nettle Roots to treat prostate cancer, rheumatism, and kidney infection. (2)
Tissues, Organs, & Systems Affinity:
Endocrine system (all glands), Respiratory System, Urinary System (Kidneys and entire urinary tract), Reproductive (Uterus, Prostate), Digestive System, (Liver, Pancreas), Circulatory System
Qualities & Tastes
Sweet and Salty (The sweetest Nettles live in Washington) sweet comes through in water, weight, heaviness,
The salty taste indicates a superior level of bioavailable minerals, (Nettle is high is all minerals, but especially high in calcium and magnesium, offering 2,900 mg of bioavailable calcium and 860 mg of magnesium per 100gm of dried nettle, along with high amounts of iron, vitamin a, vitamin c, and zinc – along with an abundance of protein – 10% by weight) along with an aptitude for (sphere of the kidneys and urinary tract- alike many of our salty friends like Horsetail, Celery). The sweet flavor of Nettle is subtler than the saltiness (depending on the plants environment, the more moisture the plant holds the sweeter it is), promotes longevity, strength, and healthy bodily fluids and tissues. Sweetness builds up tissues, strengthens the constitution, and is often used for weakened
organ systems due to malnutrition, dryness, or atrophy. (According to Ayurveda Tastes sweet taste results from the combination of Water and Earth and is heavy, moist, and cooling by nature.) Of the six tastes, sweet is known to be the most grounding and nourishing.
The salty taste indicates a superior level of bioavailable minerals, (Nettle is high is all minerals, but especially high in calcium and magnesium, offering 2,900 mg of bioavailable calcium and 860 mg of magnesium per 100gm of dried nettle, along with high amounts of iron, vitamin a, vitamin c, and zinc – along with an abundance of protein – 10% by weight) along with an aptitude for (sphere of the kidneys and urinary tract- alike many of our salty friends like Horsetail, Celery). The sweet flavor of Nettle is subtler than the saltiness (depending on the plants environment, the more moisture the plant holds the sweeter it is), promotes longevity, strength, and healthy bodily fluids and tissues. Sweetness builds up tissues, strengthens the constitution, and is often used for weakened
organ systems due to malnutrition, dryness, or atrophy. (According to Ayurveda Tastes sweet taste results from the combination of Water and Earth and is heavy, moist, and cooling by nature.) Of the six tastes, sweet is known to be the most grounding and nourishing.
Considered a nutritive plant, Nettles are considered safe and taken in amounts suited to consumption as a green leafy vegetable.
While all parts of the nettle plant are edible, the leaves and stems can’t be eaten straight from the plant due to the barbs. Instead, you must blend, juice, crush, dry, or cook the plant before eating it to deactivate its stinging potential.
Resources & Recommended
Additional Sources Cited
(2) https://www.rawforestfoods.com/blog/nettle-root-and-womens-hormonal-health/