Urtica urens

Urtica urens, commonly known as annual nettle, dwarf nettle, small nettle, dog nettle, burning nettle, or bush nettle is a herbaceous annual flowering plant species in the nettle family Urticaceae. It is native to Eurasia, including the Himalayan regions of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim in India and can be found in North America, New Zealand and South Africa as an introduced species. It is reputed to sting more strongly than Urtica dioica (common nettle).

Description

An erect annual herb. It is branched. It grows 60 cm high. The stems are soft and 4 angled. The leaves are broadly oval and deeply toothed. The leaves are 1-4 cm long. They are armed with sharply pointed stinging hairs. The flowers are small. They are in short clusters arising from the base of the leaves.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are cooked and used as a potherb — a highly nutritious food, rich in vitamins and minerals, that makes an excellent spinach substitute and works well in soups and stews. Only young leaves should be harvested, and stout gloves are essential to avoid being stung. Although fresh leaves carry stinging hairs, thorough drying or cooking destroys them completely. The young shoots are also used to brew nettle beer. An oil is extracted from the seeds as well.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten as a potherb. They are also mixed with meat as a relish. They are also used in omelettes.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Nettles have a long tradition as a home herbal remedy. A tea made from the leaves has been used as a tonic and blood purifier. The whole plant is antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic, and a stimulating tonic. An infusion is highly effective at stemming internal bleeding and is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism, and skin complaints — particularly eczema. Externally, the plant is applied for arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, and hair problems. For medicinal use, the plant is best harvested in May or June as it comes into flower, then dried for later use. This species merits further study for potential applications in kidney and urinary ailments. Nettle juice can be applied as an antidote to the plant's own sting, and an infusion of the fresh leaves makes a healing, soothing lotion for burns. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the fresh plant gathered while in flower and is used as a first-aid treatment for bites and stings, burns, hives, and breastfeeding problems.

Known Hazards

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin. This action is neutralized by heat so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys.

Distribution

It grows in temperate regions. In Tibet in China it grows between 2,800-2,900 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Europe*, Falklands, Greenland, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Swaziland, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, Yemen,

Cultivation

Prefers a nitrogen-rich soil. The best fibre is produced when plants are grown on deep fertile soils. Dislikes shade.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame.

Other Uses

The stems yield a strong flax-like fibre used for string, cloth, and good-quality paper, harvested as the plant begins to die back in early autumn. The plant is an essential ingredient in 'QR' herbal compost activator; the leaves are also a fine compost addition and can be soaked in water for 7–21 days to produce a nutritious liquid plant feed that doubles as an insect repellent and foliar feed. The growing plant raises the essential oil content of nearby plants, increasing their resistance to insect pests. A hair wash from an infusion of the leaves is used as a tonic and antidandruff treatment. A green dye is obtained from the leaves and stems; a yellow dye from the root. Oil extracted from the seeds is used as an illuminant in lamps.

Notes

There are over 500 Urtica species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bubazi, Chichicastle, Chinitta pallo, Dog nettle, Dwarf Nettle, Imbabatane, Imbati, Impawa, Irawu, Irhawu, Isibathi, Isibati, Isirgan, Mala kopriva, Ortiga, Ortiga ardiente, Ortiga chica, Ortiga comun, Ortiga menor, Ortiga negra, Ortiga petita, Pokrzywa, Rupa chico, Ububazi, Umbababazane

References (77)

• Akinola, R., et al, 2020, A Review of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa and the Implications for more Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3493; (
• Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 260
• Biscotti, N. et al, 2018, The traditional food use of wild vegetables in Apulia (Italy) in the light of Italian ethnobotanical literature. Italian Botanist 5:1-24
• Blanco-Salas, J., et al, 2019, Wild Plants Potentially Used in Human Food in the Protected Area “Sierra Grande de Hornachos” of Extremadura (Spain). Sustainability 2019, 11, 456
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 1001

More from Urticaceae

Urtica dioica subsp. holosericea

Stinging nettle, California nettle

Urtica ferox

Ongaonga, Tree nettle

Urtica fissa

Urtica gracilis

Slender nettle

Urtica holosericea

Stinging nettle

Urtica hyperborea