Urtica, Nettle
Anjuraa, Bhichu Ghans (Unani)Sisona (Ayurveda)
Xun Ma 荨麻
Za rgod ཟ་རྒོད་ (Tibet)
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Flora von Deutschland, Kohler, 1886
Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSIONBotanical name:
Urtica dioica
Greater, Lesser, Roman and Dead Nettles (Lamium) were recognised
Parts used:
Herb; Seed; Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Pungent
Classifications:
2B ATTENUATER. 2F. PURIFYING. 2G. CLEANSING. 2K. RESOLVENT. 2L. EMOLLIENT. 2M. DRAWING
3E. DIURETIC. 3F. LITHONTRIPTIC. 3G. EMMENAGOGUE. 3H. LACTAGOGUE. 3K. EXPECTORANT. 3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE. 3M. ARTHRITIC
4d. PECTORAL. 4f. SPLENETIC. 4h. NEPHRITIC
Uses:
HERB:
1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine, Clears Gravel: (West, TCM)
-difficulty Urinating and Edema
-‘expels Gravel and Stones’ of the kidney or bladder;
-Gout, Arthritis, Sciatica, Lumbago, Rheumatism and Rheumatoid Arthritis
2. Clears Damp and Phlegm:
-Nettle tops were traditionally eaten in Spring to clean out the cold, moist and phlegmatic excesses left after Winter.
-lymphatic congestion and swellings including Scrofula.
-Hypertension related to obesity and for Renal Hypertension.
3. Opens the Lungs, Clears Phlegm, Stops Wheezing:
-Shortness of Breath, Wheezing and Asthma (juice can be taken with Honey or the leaves are burnt and the smoke inhaled);
-Tuberculosis, especially in the early stages.
-Allergies and Hay Fever.
4. Benefits Liver, Blood and Uterus, Promotes Menstruation:
-promotes menstruation; for ‘suffocation and strangling of the Womb’. (decocted in wine to promote menstruation)
-traditionally for Blood Deficiency, Anemia, and to nourish the Womb to promote Fertility.
5. Stops Bleeding, Benefits Circulation:
-stops bleeding of the Lungs, Stomach, Nose, Kidneys and Uterus;
-Postpartum Hemorrhage, Excessive Menstruation.
-improves the tone and elasticity of veins and capillaries.
6. Promotes Circulation: (West, Tibet)
-traditionally used to promote eruption of Rashes such as Measles and Small Pox (Salmon);
-disorders of the Heart and Circulation.
-promotes circulation by clearing Phlegm and Damp, and promoting Blood flow.
7. Promotes Milk:
-Increases Milk in nursing mothers; benefits milk quality.
8. Externally:
-fresh plant used externally in the form of its sting is the strongest, safe method of causing stimulation of blood supply to an area; applied to muscular aches and pains.Schroder said ‘Chirurgions rub a part that wants nourishment with Nettles, to attract the Blood’.
-juice or decoction is used for Polyps, Old and Stinking Sores, Fistulas, Corroding Scabs, Gangrenes, Scabs, Itch etc. in any part of the body.
-used for the Nettle Rash itself (infusion of the young leaves being taken, or the Oil or juice applied).
-applied to Green Wounds, Dislocated Joints, Aches and Gouts. The ointment or wash is good for cold, numb Joints.
-The infusion or tincture (diluted with equal parts of water) is a good application to Burns.
-internally and externally for stubborn Eczema, poor conditioned Ulcers
-for Edematous Swellings, Edema, Swelling of the Legs (wash or bath)
-wash of Nettles is good for preventing Hair Loss, to promote Hair Growth and remove Dandruff; Kneipp boiled the plant in Vinegar and Water as a very useful Hair Wash; but to stimulate Hair Growth, the scalp is rubbed with Nettle juice.
-gargled for sores and inflammations of the Mouth and Throat
-“Its plaster with vinegar ruptures cold Abscesses and is useful for removing their hardness”. (Avicenna)
-“Its ashes mixed with salt are useful in cases of Dog Bites, malignant Ulcers and various types of Cancer”. (Avicenna)
SEED
1. Benefits the Kidneys, Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-Gravel; ‘a singular remedy against the Stone’ (Salmon); (seed paste with Rose water)
-difficulty urinating
-also recommended for Obesity. (20-30 seeds taken morning and night)
2. Clears Phlegm, Opens the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Whooping Cough
-Asthma, Shortness of Breath (taken with Honey)
-Lung Abscess, Lung inflammation, Pleurisy
3. Resists Poison:
-the seed is a counter-poison to Venomous creatures, Hemlock, Henbane, Nightshade, Mandrake, Mushrooms and Mercury as well as Snakes, Scorpions and Mad Dog bites
-Seed has been taken for Fever
ROOT:
1. Strengthens the Kidneys, Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-specifically used for Prostatitis, Prostate Adenoma, and Prostatic Hyperplasia.
-more strengthening than the herb so is better in chronic Kidney conditions, and for the elderly.
2. Clears Phlegm, Opens the Lungs:
-Wheezing, Shortness of Breath, and to clear tough Phlegm.
Dose:
INFUSION or DECOCTION of the HERB, ROOT and/or SEED: 3–9 grams
POWDERED HERB, ROOT or SEED: 500mg–3 grams
Main Combinations:
1. Difficult, burning or painful urination:
i. Nettle with … available in PRO version
ii. Nettle with … available in PRO version
2. Kidney and Bladder Stones:
i. Nettle … available in PRO version
ii. Nettle with … available in PRO version
iii. Nettle with … available in PRO version
3. Strengthen the Kidneys and lower Back, and increase Semen, Nettle seed with … available in PRO version
4. Prostatitis with difficult urination, Nettle with … available in PRO version
5. Diabetes:
i. Nettle with … available in PRO version
ii. Nettle with … available in PRO version
iii. … available in PRO version
6. Rheumatism:
i. Nettle with … available in PRO version
ii. Nettle with … available in PRO version
iii. Nettle with … available in PRO version
7. Jaundice, Nettle … available in PRO version
8. Pleurisy or Abscess of the chest, Nettle … available in PRO version
9. Tumors and Cancer, combine Nettle with … available in PRO version
10. Anemia:
i. Nettle with … available in PRO version
ii. Nettle with … available in PRO version
11. ‘Spring Cure’, Nettle with … available in PRO version
12. Hemorrhage:
i. Nettle with … available in PRO version
ii. Nettle … available in PRO version
13. Menopausal Hypertension, Nettle with … available in PRO version
14. Dandruff, Nettle … available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Infusion for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Decoction for Diabetes from Heat (Wirtzung)
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)
Tincture for Suppressed Menstruation
Powder of Lord George of Elt (Gabelhover)
Powder of Mussel Shells Compound
Stone–Breaking Powder (Lithontripticon) (Nicholas)
Electuary for Asthma (2) (De morbis internis curandis, 1551)
Electuary for the Lungs (Lemery)
Electuary of Orchid (Diasatyrion) (Nicholas)
Warming Confection for Infertility (Wirtzung)
Antidote Experienced Against Cold Gout & All Feet Pain
Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen (Nicholas)
Cautions:
Generally Safe.
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water