AKA: Nettle, burn nettle, burn weed, burn hazel, Urtica dioica

The stinging nettle is the most popular member of the Urticaceae family, which can be found in Europe, Asia, North America and North Africa. It is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 3 to 6 feet during the summer before drying down to the ground for winter months.  Its roots are distinctively yellow and spreading and its leaves are soft and green with a serrated margin. The flowers it bears are small and green or brown in color. Stinging hairs (hence the name) are present on the leaves and stem.  People have used the fibers from the hardy stem to make clothing and have cooked the leaves. The nettle has been traditionally used to relieve a cough, ease the pain of arthritis and tuberculosis and stimulate hair growth.

The leaves and stems of the plant are used to treat urinary tract issues. They act as a mild diuretic, helping flush the bladder when taken with large amounts of liquid. They have also been used to treat kidney stones. Decocted the plant is used to help with diarrhea. People with arthritis drink nettle tea to get relief and the extract of the plant has been used as a topical liniment for aching joints. There is also some evidence that nettle is a good way to treat hair loss.

People have also used nettle as a home remedy for diabetes, asthma and coughs and have used it to help speed up the healing of wounds, relieve spasms of the digestive tract and treat dandruff.  In the case of diabetes, research has even suggested that nettle may raise the blood sugar in some people rather than lower it.  The fresh leaves of the nettle plant have also been used as a rubefacient to help ease irritated skin; however the leaves themselves may cause irritation and blistering.

Side Effects

Skin contact with the stinging nettle plant may lead to stinging and burning that can last for up to 12 hours. When stinging nettle is taken internally, side effects are generally rare but some people may have allergic reactions to it.

Dosage

Stinging nettle comes in capsule, tablet, tincture, and extract form. Take 600to 900 mg of the capsules or tablets of nettle leaf three times a day, or take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day to help reduce allergies. Men with BPH should take 120 mg of the concentrated root extract up to two times a day.

Nettle rinse for hair loss: Take 1 tablespoon of dry or raw nettle leaves, add 1 cup of boiling water and let it sit for one hour. Rinse your hair with the infusion after washing.