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Urtica dioica

Caution

Große Brennnessel · (Urtica dioica)

Nettle family (Urticaceae)

Description

Stinging nettle is a hardy perennial that grows worldwide on rich, nitrogen-heavy ground; its stinging hairs cause the well-known skin reaction on contact. For medicinal use it is mainly the young leaves (May to August) that are gathered. They contain flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, along with minerals including potassium, calcium, iron and silicon. The traditional use is to flush the urinary tract and to support the treatment of rheumatic complaints. Any flushing regimen requires drinking plenty of extra fluid (at least two litres a day); it should be avoided where fluid retention is caused by heart or kidney disease.

  • TeaLeafInternalTraditional use

    Classic nettle leaf tea for mild rheumatic joint complaints and flushing therapy.

    Preparation & dosage

    SPRING CURE / FLUSHING TEA: 2–4 g cut dried nettle leaves + ~200 ml boiling water, steep 10 min, strain. 3–6× daily (8–12 g/day). Drink plenty of additional water (≥ 2 L/day).

    Dry amount
    2–4 g
    Doses per day
    4×
    Max duration
    4 weeks

    ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, not for children under 12 years.

    Sources: [2]

  • TeaAerial partsInternalTraditional use

    Nettle herb tea as adjuvant for mild urinary complaints.

    Preparation & dosage

    FLUSHING TEA: 1.5 g nettle herb + 150 ml boiling water, steep 10 min, strain. 3–4× daily. Drink ≥ 2 L additional water/day.

    Dry amount
    1–2 g
    Doses per day
    4×
    Max duration
    2 weeks

    ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Nettle herb tea per EMA not for under 18 years.

    Sources: [3]

  • TeaAerial partsInternalTraditional use

    Spring cure for mild rheumatic joint pain.

    Preparation & dosage

    RHEUMATIC TEA: 3–6 g + 200 ml boiling water, steep 10 min. 3× daily (9–18 g/day).

    Dry amount
    3–6 g
    Doses per day
    3×
    Max duration
    4 weeks

    ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — For joint complaints not for under 18 years.

    Sources: [3]

  • TinctureAerial partsInternalTraditional use

    Fresh plant juice — most concentrated form of the classic spring cure.

    Preparation & dosage

    FRESH PLANT JUICE: 10–15 ml expressed juice 3× daily before meals. Drink plenty of water. 2–4 weeks, then break.

    Liquid amount
    10–15 ml
    Doses per day
    3×
    Max duration
    2 weeks

    ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Expressed juice per EMA not for under 12 years.

    Sources: [3]

  • TeaRootInternalTraditional use

    Nettle root tea for BPH — different mechanism (lignans rather than flushing).

    Preparation & dosage

    NETTLE ROOT TEA (BPH): 2 g + 150 ml boiling water, steep 10 min. 2–3× daily. Only after medical exclusion of serious conditions.

    Dry amount
    2–2 g
    Doses per day
    3×

    ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — BPH indication only concerns older men.

    Sources: [4]

  • SpiceLeafInternalFolk medicine

    Young nettle shoots as traditional spring wild vegetable.

    Preparation & dosage

    YOUNG NETTLES AS WILD VEGETABLE: Harvest with gloves, blanch or roll to destroy stinging hairs. Steam like spinach. Very high iron, vitamin C, calcium, protein.

    Sources: [1]

Distribution in Europe

🤝 Permaculture Partners

In your garden, this plant acts as:

Dynamic Accumulator Pollinator Magnet Medicinal

✨ Best symbiotic partners

📦 Part of these planting sets:

Source: Helga und Margarete Langerhorst, Mein gesunder Naturgarten (eigene Kuration)

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