© Jacob Sturm (in: Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen, 1796) · Public domain · Commons
White deadnettle
Weiße Taubnessel · (Lamium album)
Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Description
White deadnettle is a perennial herb of the mint family with a distinctly square stem and opposite, nettle-like but non-stinging leaves, typically growing 25 to 50 cm tall. Its white, two-lipped flowers appear in false whorls in the upper leaf axils and bear an oblique ring of hairs inside the corolla tube that shields the nectar for long-tongued insects such as bumblebees. The medicinal drug consists mainly of the dried flowers (Lamii albi flos), and less commonly the flowering herb (Lamii albi herba). The plant contains iridoids, flavonols, phenylpropanoid glycosides, tannins and mucilage. It is regarded as a mild, soothing and astringent remedy.
Taken internally for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract; the mucilage and tannins soothe irritated airway mucous membranes.
Preparation & dosage
Pour boiling water over the dried flowers, cover and steep for about 10 minutes, then strain. Drink freshly prepared up to three times daily for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
Used externally as a gargle and rinse for mild inflammation of the mouth and throat mucosa.
Preparation & dosage
Prepare an infusion of the flowers, let it cool and use several times daily as a gargle or mouth rinse. Do not swallow.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 3 weeks
Traditionally a women's remedy for excessive menstruation and increased vaginal discharge; the astringent action of the tannins underlies this folk application.
Preparation & dosage
Prepare a flower infusion and drink up to three times daily. Traditionally used to ease heavy or irregular menstruation.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 3 weeks
A concentrated preparation for internal use in respiratory catarrh and as a mild women's remedy.
Preparation & dosage
Take 2 to 4 ml of tincture (commonly 1:5 in 25 % alcohol) per single dose in a little water, up to three times daily.
- Liquid amount
- 2–4 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
Sources: [5]
Used in folk medicine as a compress for minor wounds, bruises and skin inflammation; traditionally applied as a wound-healing (vulnerary) remedy.
Preparation & dosage
Prepare a strong infusion of the flowering herb, soak a cloth and apply to the affected skin. Renew once or twice daily.
- Dry amount
- 5–10 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
A traditional sitz bath for lower abdominal complaints and increased discharge; the astringent action is the main rationale.
Preparation & dosage
Prepare an infusion from about 5 to 10 g of dried herb per litre and add it to a sitz bath. Use at most once daily.
- Dry amount
- 5–10 g
- Doses per day
- 1×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
Sources: [5]
The young shoots and leaves are edible and were formerly eaten as a wild vegetable, raw or cooked.
Preparation & dosage
Gather young leaves and shoot tips before flowering, wash them and add raw to salads or cook like spinach.
- Dry amount
- 10–30 g
- Doses per day
- 1×
- Max duration
- 8 weeks
White deadnettle is considered well tolerated; no significant side effects are documented. However, reliable studies in vulnerable groups are lacking. Seek medical advice for persistent respiratory or gynaecological complaints.
⏱ Max continuous use: 4 weeks
Owing to its traditional use as a women's remedy and the lack of safety data, use only after consulting a doctor during pregnancy.
Insufficient data for breastfeeding; use only under professional guidance.
No robust data for internal use in young children; in children use only after consultation and in mild form (e.g. gargling for older children).
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to plants of the mint family.
Harvested part: Flowers and flowering herb
- Time of day:
- In the late morning in dry weather, once the dew has dried.
- Drying:
- Gently pull the corollas from the calyx and dry them loosely in the shade at no more than 35 °C to preserve the white colour.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store dry and protected from light and air in dark jars or tins.
- Time of day:
- Harvest young shoot tips in the morning before flowering.
- Drying:
- Use fresh for culinary purposes; for drying, spread out airily in the shade.
- Storage:
- 6 months — Store dried leaves dry and in the dark.
- LamalbidGlycosideContent: 2.6-3.9 %Flower
Quantitatively the most abundant iridoid glycoside of the flowers and a marker compound for standardization (about 27-39 mg/g in the dried extract).
- VerbascosidPhenolic acidContent: 0.6-0.8 %Flower
A phenylpropanoid glycoside with antioxidant activity; also a marker substance of the flower drug.
- ChlorogensäurePhenolic acidContent: 0.9-1.2 %Flower
A phenolic acid with antioxidant activity, used together with lamalbid and verbascoside for standardization.
- Flavonole (Rutin, Quercetin, Kaempferol)FlavonoidFlower
Flavonol glycosides that contribute to the vessel-protective and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Gerbstoffe (Catechingerbstoffe)TanninContent: 5-7 %Aerial parts
Condensed and hydrolysable tannins responsible for the astringent action.
- SchleimstoffeMucilageFlower
Polysaccharide mucilage that underlies the soothing effect on mucous membranes.
- SaponineSaponinAerial parts
Triterpene saponins (including ursolic acid and amyrin) present in small amounts.
- Ätherisches ÖlEssential oilContent: 0.01-0.31 %Flower
Essential oil present only in trace amounts; of secondary therapeutic importance.
- [1]MonographKommission E Monographie: Lamii albi flos (Weiße Taubnesselblüten) / Lamii albi herba(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [5]MonographWhite Deadnettle (Lamium album): Benefits, Uses, Safety – Herbal Reality(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [7]MonographCzerwińska et al. (2020): Lamalbid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Verbascoside as Tools for Standardization of Lamium album Flowers, Molecules, doi:10.3390/molecules25071721(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [6]BookLamium album – Plants For A Future (PFAF) Database(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [2]WikipediaWeiße Taubnessel – Wikipedia (DE)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [3]WikipediaLamium album – Wikipedia (EN)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [8]CommonsFile:Lamium album Sturm39.jpg – Wikimedia Commons (Jacob Sturm, 1796)(accessed: 2026-06-08)
- [4]WikidataLamium album (Q157892) – Wikidata(accessed: 2026-06-08)
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