Urticaceae
Nettle
Urtica dioica
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America
Also known as: Stinging Nettle, Common Nettle
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafRootSeed
Therapeutic Uses
Leaf: allergic rhinitis (freeze-dried preparation), iron deficiency, joint inflammation, urinary tract support, lactation support. Root: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), combined with saw palmetto.
Herbal Actions
Nutritive tonic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine (leaf), anti-BPH (root), hemostatic, galactagogue
Active Constituents
Leaf: chlorophyll, iron, calcium, silica, vitamins K and C, flavonoids, lectins. Root: polysaccharides, lectins (UDA), sterols, lignans
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule🍵 Decoction
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2–3 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 3–5 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Freeze-dried leaf capsules most effective for allergies. Root tincture (1:5, 45% ethanol) for BPH: 3–5ml 3x daily. Highly nutritive — excellent as food herb. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: May enhance effect of diuretics. Caution with anticoagulants (vitamin K content in leaf). May lower blood pressure and blood sugar.
Side Effects: Fresh plant: stinging. Dried/cooked preparations: very safe. Rare allergic reactions. Mild diuretic effect.