Stinging Nettle is an invasive weed and belongs to the Urticacae family.

Stinging Nettle grows along stream banks, disturbed soils, and likes rich damp soils. It is found in Newfoundland to Alaska, and south into the United States.

It is suggested that the leaves of Stinging Nettle may be helpful in alleviating the sypthoms of allergies, while the roots can be helpful with benign prostrate hypertrophy (BPH).

Stinging Nettle has been known to be used to strengthen and support the whole body, especially the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and glandular systems. It has antihistamine properties, and it can be ingested as a tea, in capsule form, or in a tincture.

Stinging Nettle leaves have been used as a medicinal herb to help with inflammation and joint pain of arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis.

Stinging Nettle is very high in calcium, magnesium,  chlorophyll, iron, Vitamin A, C, D, zinc, potassium, chromium, cobalt, niacin, phosphorus,  manganese, and silica. It contains 2,900 mg of calcium per 100 grams of dried nettles, according to Mark Pedersen in his book Nutritional Herbology.

CAUTIONS:

It is important to note that before ingesting Stinging Nettle, you should seek the advice of a Naturopathic Doctor.

Do not use Stinging Nettle while it is in its flowering and seed-setting stages. It should not be taken if you are taking medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, or insomnia.

Before picking or wild harvesting Stinging Nettle, always wear long gloves, long sleeve shirt, and long sleeve pants as it has tiny hairs that are loaded with irritants that will cause a burning or stinging sensation that may last for hours.