MEDICINAL WEED

NETTLE [URTICA DIOICA]

by

Marlene Houghton,

C.H.Ed.Dip.NuTh, MNCHM, SNHS

H.I.Dip.[Herbalism] SNHS Ad.Dip.[Herbalism] SNHS [Herbalism], Assoc.Memb.School of Natural Health Sciences, Reg.Memb.National College of Holistic Medicine

We are all familiar with the lowly and unassuming nettle growing in our garden, but are we aware that this humble weed has powerful medicinal qualities? The Latin name Urtica comes from the word ‘to burn’ and this is exactly what ensues if you happen to get too near to a nettle whilst gardening! The itchy sensation is felt because the stinging hairs which are sharp, polished spines, contain formic acid and histamine. When the plant comes into contact with the skin these irritating chemicals are released.

Under the auspices of fiery, dynamic Mars, nettles are especially compatible with Arian and Scorpionic energies. According to the astrologer/herbalist Culpeper, this plant was good for ‘consuming the phlegmatic superfluities in the body of man that the coldness and moisture of winter had left behind’. The Romans, who were master herbalists, used the nettle plant to treat rheumatic conditions. They used fresh stinging nettles to flay their joints in order to increase blood circulation to the joint. This would undoubtedly have had a strong anti-inflammatory effect and would also have warmed them up if they were suffering from the effects of the cold, but I don’t think I could really recommend such a treatment to anyone!

Surprisingly, the stinging nettle is called a counter-irritant because although the hairs are normally painful to the touch, when an area of the body that is already painful makes contact with the nettle, the chemicals it contains can actually help decrease the pain level. Applying nettle juice to the skin can actually relieve a painful nettle sting or insect bite.

Known as a blood purifier, nettles are a good source of nutrients and are traditionally taken as a Spring tonic to help us to recover from the depths of Winter, just like Culpeper suggested to his patients in Medieval times! The young fresh green leaves can be cooked and eaten like spinach or made into a nourishing nettle soup. This plant is rich in iron and vitamin C, making it a very useful remedy for a number of disorders, and in particular for anaemia or other debilitating states. Nature is the wisest of pharmacists as she has made sure that there is a synergistic combination of both iron and vitamin C in nettles because this vitamin helps to ensure that the valuable mineral iron is properly absorbed.

On top of all these valuable benefits, this unassuming little plant also has a therapeutic effect on the kidneys and on fluid levels throughout the body by acting as an herbal diuretic. The Romany gypsies, who had a wonderful collection of herbal folk lore, drank nettle tea and juice if they suffered from kidney stones or gravel, as this medicinal drink helped the body break down these calculi and excrete them from the body. So next time you are stung by a painful nettle, although the experience may be unpleasant, just remember that its many medicinal uses make it a great friend to man.

NETTLE SOUP

Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
8 large handfuls young nettle tops, chopped
25g/1oz butter
25g/1oz flour
1L/2pt good chicken stock
salt and pepper
cream (optional)

Method
1. Cook the onion and nettle tops in the butter until soft.
2. Add the flour and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring, then add the stock and season well. Bring to the boil, simmer for 5 minutes, and then sieve.
3. Re-heat, adjust the seasoning and add a little cream if desired.

Spring 2006