Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

OriginThe weed that isn't one

Where nettles grow, there was life: they indicate nitrogen-rich soils – old farmsteads, compost heaps, pastures. They have followed humans since the beginning of settlements.

The stinging nettle grows worldwide in temperate zones and is a classic indicator plant for nitrogen-rich, disturbed soils: forest edges, roadsides, stream banks, old farmsteads, compost heaps. It is dioecious – male and female flowers are on separate plants – which can be seen in the flower heads: those of the female plants hang limply, while those of the male plants stand upright. Besides it, there is the dwarf nettle (Urtica urens), annual, smaller and often burning even more intensely.

Its history of use extends far beyond medicine. For centuries, the stem fibers were used to make... nettle cloth Woven – during the First World War, Germany resorted to nettle fabric when cotton was scarce, producing millions of meters of it for uniforms. Green dye was extracted from the leaves, and yellow from the root. In agriculture, nettle manure remains a standard product in organic gardens, and for numerous butterfly caterpillars – peacock, small tortoiseshell, and red admiral – it is the sole food source.

For centuries, nettle leaves were the staple food in spring when stores were depleted and nothing else was growing. This wasn't just a last resort: nettle leaves are among the most nutrient-rich leafy vegetables available – with more iron than spinach, plenty of calcium, vitamins A and C, and a remarkable protein content for a leaf. A spring cleanse with nettles, therefore, has a very solid foundation.

To useWhat the stinging nettle can do for you

With stinging nettles, you have to differentiate between different parts of the plant because they can do three different things. Sheet is listed with the European Medicines Agency as a traditional use for Flushing of the urinary tract It is used for mild symptoms and to prevent kidney stones, as well as to support the treatment of rheumatic complaints. The diuretic effect is easily understood and stems primarily from the flavonoids and the high potassium content. As with any flushing therapy, the essential part of the effect comes from the amount of fluid consumed, and without sufficient fluid intake, it is ineffective.

The root This is a completely different issue and has a better data basis. It will be addressed at benign prostatic hyperplasia It is used in stages I and II – that is, for urinary problems, frequent nighttime awakenings, and a weak urine stream. Commission E has given it a positive assessment, and there are clinical studies, including those on combinations with saw palmetto fruit, that show relief from these symptoms. The following sentence is important and should not be omitted: The plant alleviates symptoms, it does not shrink the prostate. - and an enlarged prostate should be medically evaluated before any self-treatment, because other conditions may be the underlying cause.

And then there are the seeds, These tiny nuts from the female flower heads have been rightly rediscovered in recent years. They are extremely nutrient-dense, containing protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, carotenoids, and minerals. In folk medicine, they were considered invigorating and are now often sprinkled over muesli, salads, and bread. However, there are no reliable studies on this – it's a good food, not a medicine, and should be treated as such.

IngredientsThis is what's in the stinging nettle

First, what everyone knows: the Burn. The stinging hairs are tiny silica capillaries with a slanted head that breaks off upon contact, leaving behind a sharp cannula – the plant literally injects its contents under the skin. These contain primarily... histamine, Serotonin and Acetylcholine, ...and also formic acid and oxalic acid. The old school wisdom that it's "just formic acid" is therefore too simplistic: the burning sensation is a small cocktail injection. Mechanical destruction of the hair – rolling, kneading, chopping, blanching – reliably stops it.

The leaves They contain flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, kaempferol), silica, chlorophyll, carotenoids, plenty of potassium and calcium, readily available iron, as well as vitamins C and K. The high vitamin K content is the reason for a practical tip: those taking coumarin-type blood thinners should not suddenly change the dosage drastically.

The root It has a completely different profile: It contains lignans, sterols – especially β-sitosterol – polysaccharides, and a specific lectin. Its effects on hormone metabolism and prostate tissue are being discussed; the mechanism is not yet fully understood, but its clinical impact on symptoms has been studied extensively. seeds Finally, they consist of about a quarter protein and contain plenty of linoleic acid and vitamin E.

Enhanced combinationsWhat makes the stinging nettle stronger

One herb for all three culinary styles – raw, cooked, and dried. The crucial factor is what you do with the stinging hairs.

What contradicts itselfIt's best to avoid these combinations.

To which courtWhere she belongs

• Nettle soupCook young shoot tips with onion and potato until soft, purée, and finish with cream.
• Nettle spinachLike spinach braised in butter, with nutmeg and a squeeze of lemon.
• Nettle pestoBlanched leaves with sunflower seeds, oil, garlic and cheese - keeps for two weeks in the refrigerator.
• Nettle chipsBrush the leaves with oil, salt them, and bake them in the oven at 150 degrees until crispy - surprisingly good.
• Spring cureDrinking tea or fresh greens daily for two to three weeks is the old practice after winter.
• Kidney teaWith goldenrod and horsetail, boiled or steeped.
• Nettle seedsRoasted over muesli, salad, soup or in bread dough.
• Green smoothieRolled leaves with apple and banana - raw and without burning.
• Nettle root teaAs a decoction for prostate problems - as an accompaniment to medical treatment.
• Plant manureOne kilogram of fresh herbs to ten liters of water, ferment for two weeks - fertilizer and aphid repellent in one.

As a home remedyThe spring cure

Ayurveda & TCMWhat the old systems say

Warning noticesWhen you should be careful

This page provides information and does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persist, please consult a doctor.

Related to the topicRead on and cook along!

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