Stinging nettle – Urtica dioica
The plant you don't want in your garden has excellent healing properties, so you may look at the weed with completely different eyes the next time you are pulling it up. The plant with the stinging hairs is considered to have anti-inflammatory, diuretic and laxative properties and is used to treat urinary tract infections.
Boosts the metabolism
Fields of application
The leaves, roots, herb and fruit of the stinging nettle can be used to make medicines. The leaves are used mainly for rheumatic complaints, osteoarthritis and gout. Preparations made from stinging nettle leaves have a diuretic effect and help the kidneys to rid the body of waste products that can affect the joints. The stinging nettle root, on the other hand, has a different use. It increases urine flow, reduces the amount of residual urine in the bladder and thus helps to alleviate prostate problems. Nettle is also popular as a metabolism-boosting plant and is used particularly in spring for cleansing treatments.
Botanical characteristics
Stinging nettles are a genus of flowering plants in the nettle family. The 30 to 70 species are found almost worldwide. The stinging nettle is best known for its stinging hairs, which feel like fire on the skin and, in addition to pain, also cause wheals, swelling and inflammation. The stinging hairs can be rendered harmless by boiling or vigorous showering. Since the stinging nettle has seven times more vitamin C than an orange, the leaves are also popular in salads or as tea.