Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

There are over 50 species of nettle that grow world-wide, many of which are harvested for food or medicine.  This is an over-looked medicinal plant, that has been mistaken for a weed by the uninformed.

Family:  Urticaceae
Life cycle:  Herbaceous perennial, Zones 2-9.
Native to:  North America (U. dioica spp. gracilis), has male and female flowers on separate branches or plants, and Eurasia (U. dioica spp. dioica) which has male and female flowers on separate plants. In the wild this plant grows near streams, ponds, rivers, and lakes in a disturbed area.  The stems of nettle are square .   Nettles leaves and stems are covered with sharp spines that sting when touched.  It is best to wear gloves when handling this herb when fresh..  The sting is caused by histamine, small amounts of formic acid, and other compounds.  These are deactivated when the plant is dried or cooked.
Habit:  Grows 2 to 4 feet and will spread, so plant  at least 12 inches apart.
Sun:  Nettles can grow in full sun, partial shade, or full shade.
Soil:  Plant in soil with high organic matter content. (4-5%).  Will respond to increased fertility.
Water:  Provide moderate to heavy amount of water, but will survive under dryland conditions.
Flowering:  Cream colored, pearl like, tiny flowers bloom from early summer to late fall.
Propagation:  Stratify seed and sow directly in the garden or plant indoors and transplant to the garden in late spring.  Germination rates of about 50% are to be expected. Propagate by root division in early spring.  The individual plants will spread into large clumps in years 2 and 3.
Harvesting:  Harvest aerial parts any time during the growing season.  Best when harvested prior to  flowering.  Can harvest several times a year once the plant is established.  Wear gloves and cut with scissors or clippers.  Dried nettles will not cause stinging.
Pests:  Many caterpillars like to feed on nettles, but the plant usually outgrows the leaf feeding damage.  These caterpillars will eventually turn into butterflies, so this isn’t always a bad thing.
Parts used:  Aerial parts fresh or dried.  Roots have recently been shown to be effective for prostrate inflammation.
Used as:  Infusion, tincture, elixir, food, ointment, cream, salve, balm, foot soak, bath herb, infused oil, honey, liniment, and dye. 
Medical Benefits:  Whole body tonic.  Nettles are great for the reproductive health of both males and females.  Benefits immune system, urinary tract system, and respiratory system.  Good for skin, hair, and provides allergy relief.  Nettles are an astringent and good for facial steams.  Approved in Europe for infections of the urinary tract, kidney and bladder stones, and rheumatism.  The root has been approved in Europe for prostate complaints and irritable bladder.  Research with animals has demonstrated a local anesthetic and analgesic effect, as well as antirheumatic and anti-arthritic effect.
Food uses:  Young shoots are a great source of vitamins and minerals.  Use in salads (blanched), as a tea and boiled as a vegetable.  Good source or iron.  The plant looses its “sting” once cooked or steamed.
Market potential:  Moderate. Prices for tops range from $3.25 - $19.52, roots $4.50 – $18.50. 

KSU Field Trial Data - 2000-2002.  

Summary of field trial data:   Under our field conditions, the plants were subjected to full sun, and limited water at 3 of the 5 sites.  Though it preferred irrigation, it survived well when water stressed.  Though it can be wild harvested, it might be a good crop to grow if you don’t have access to a wild stand.  The time to harvest should be taken into account when planting this crop.  One local grower harvested about 1 lb of root and 1 lb of tops in about an hour.  The plant will  have more leaves if harvested prior to flowering.  After that, it is stemmy, but a second flush of leaves will come out during a wet fall.  Repeated harvests may keep the plant from getting stemmy, and allow for more harvests.  Our data are based on one harvest in late summer/early fall, so the above ground biomass estimates are probably on the low side.