Dioecious nettle – dioecious nettle

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica); large nettle; family of nettles (Urticaceae); dioecious nettle

 

If this plant grows on fertile land, then it is extremely difficult to fight it in the garden or in the yard. We should add that it is better to wear gloves when dealing with nettles when weeding – everyone knows from childhood how fiercely this plant stings.

Dioecious nettle is a herbaceous perennial up to 150 cm tall. It has a branched stem with four indistinct faces. The leaves are petiolate, opposite, ovate-lanceolate, up to 14 cm long and up to 4 cm wide. They are pointed at the top, and serrated at the edges. The flowers are yellow-green, small, in branched spike-like inflorescences located in the axils of the leaves, blooming in June-August. The fruit is a nut. The whole plant is covered with pitiful hairs, its rhizome is very long and wire-like, which is why it is quite difficult to fight it in homesteads. Nettles are widely distributed throughout the European part of Russia, growing in wet places, among bushes, along roads, in weedy areas. It grows everywhere in Ukraine in similar places.

Nettles (leaves, roots and seeds) have long been used in folk and scientific medicine. The leaves are collected during the flowering of the plant, separated from the stems. Dry for a short time in the air in the shade or in well-ventilated rooms. Store in a dark place. Nettle leaf briquettes are on sale

in specialized pharmacies. The term of storage of raw materials is 2 years. The roots are harvested in autumn, spread out in the open air and dried. The seeds are collected when they are fully mature. Roots and seeds are not used in scientific medicine.

Nettle leaves contain tannins, carotenoids, vitamins C, B 2 , B 6 , organic acids, micro- and macroelements. Fresh leaves also contain vitamin K, which is destroyed when dried. The roots contain tannins, alkaloid nicotine, vitamin C, and the seeds contain fatty oil (up to 33%).

Stinging nettle has a hemostatic, diuretic and tonic effect. Plant preparations actively contribute to hematopoiesis, increase the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and normalize blood composition. They reduce the level of sugar in the blood, so their use is appropriate for diabetes; restore damaged intestinal mucous membranes, normalize the menstrual cycle. Infusion of leaves stimulates the activity of the cardiovascular system, activates metabolism, accelerates the healing of wounds. As a hemostatic agent, plant products are used in the case of pulmonary, intestinal, uterine and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Nettle is also used for iron deficiency in the body, cholecystitis, gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, digestive disorders and hypovitaminosis.

Nettle is part of many stomachic, laxative and vitamin teas. It is also used in ready-made forms: the leaves of the plant are a necessary component of the Alohol product, which is used to treat cholecystitis, hepatitis and chronic constipation.

Stinging nettle is a vitamin plant. Medicinal and preventive nutrition includes salads made from young leaves, vitamin spring soups are seasoned with them.

Preparations from nettle leaves are used in cosmetology and dermatology: for the treatment of acne, baldness, baldness, seborrhea. Fresh plant juice is used to treat wounds, varicose ulcers, and bedsores.

Infusion of leaves. 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials per 200 ml of boiling water. Insist for 15-20 minutes, filter. Take 1/4 cup 3-5 times a day before meals.

Fresh nettle juice . 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.

Fresh nettle herb (external). In case of myositis and articular rheumatism, fresh nettle stings the sore areas.

The use of nettle products internally is categorically contraindicated in gynecological diseases (polyps, uterine tumors, ovarian diseases).