AUSTRALIAN NATUROPATHIC NETWORK
 Serving the community since 1998

Note - the monographs are provided for informational purposes only, and are not to be used for self-medication.

Urtica dioica/urens

Common name: Stinging Nettle

Description: A common perennial with a square bristly stem 2-3 feet high, with opposite cordate petiolate deeply serrated pointed leaves which are downy underneath. Covered in rigid stinging hairs which contain an irritating fluid. Small greenish flowers in axillary clusters bloom in summer.

Habitat: Common in waste places, roadsides, along fences, stockyards, overgrazed paddocks.

Part used: Aerial parts (4)

Root = benign prostatic hypertrophy (10)

Qualities: astringent, bit sweet & salty, cool, dry, nourishing, restoring, stabilizing, stimulating, dissolving. (9)

Active Constituents: Flavonoids (glycosides of quercetin, kaempferol), chlorophyll; in stinging hairs = formic acid, histamine, volatile & resin acids; silica, glucoquinone, tannins, enzyme secretin, hormones, minerals (Ca, K, Si, Fe, Mn, S, Vit C, A & K) (2)

Actions: (2) * Depurative

• • Diuretic (4)
  • Uric acid cleanser, anit-rheumatic
  • Astringent, Anti-haemorrhagic (4)
  • Galactagogue, estrogenic (9)
  • Nutritive, Anti-anaemic (4)
  • Hypoglycemic (glucoquinone)
  • Circulatory stimulant, expectorant

Indications:(2) * Arthritis, Gout

• • Chronic skin problems, esp allergic reactions, eg. hives(urticaria), eczema (4)
  • GIT & genito-urinary haemorrhage, epistaxis (4)
  • Germany: renal gravel & topically – alopecia
  • BPH
  • Sunburn, Fatigue, CFS
  • HBP (8), edema, ascites (9)
  • Cystitis (8), bladder irritation (9)
  • Anaemia (8)
  • Hyperglycemia, NIIDM
  • Insufficient lactation
  • Hepatic & metabolic disorders, incl. rickets (9)
  • Adrenocortical deficiency (9)
  • Respiratory infections & allergies: bronchitis to hayfever (9)

Specific Indication: Nervous eczema & internal & external for rheumatic conditions (3)

Dosage: (10) FE 1:1 25% 3-4mls tds

1:2 1-4mls tds

Tincture: 1:5 45% 2-6mls tds

Dried herb: 2-4gm (2)

Bibliography

• (1) Reader’s Digest Magic & Medicine of Plants, Reader’s Digest: Sydney, 1994.
• (2) Phillips & Foy, Herbs, Pan Books: UK, 1992.
• (3) Jacqui Bushell Australian Herbal Medicine Classnotes, Nature Care College: Sydney, 1998.
• (4) Cribb & Cribb, Useful Wild Plants in Australia, Fontana Books: Sydney, 1982.
• (5) Mills, S. The Complete Guide of Modern Herbalism, Harper Collins Publishers: UK, 1994.
• (6) Hoffmann, D. The New Holistic Herbal, Element Books: Australia, 1996.
• (7) Potterton, D. (ed.), Culpepper’s Colour Herbal, W.Foulsham & Co: Sydney, 1983.

• (8) Mills, S. The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, Penguin Books: UK, 1991.
• (9) Murray, M. The Healing Power of Herbs, Prima Publishing: USA, 1995.
• (10) Mediherb, Modern Phytotherapist, Vol 3, No. 2, Summer 1995, p6-8