Content
Nettle is a common weed that is found in almost all regions of Russia and neighboring countries. It has beneficial properties (diuretic, expectorant, choleretic and many others), and is used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology, agriculture and even in magic.
Botanical description of nettle
Nettle is one of the most common flowering plants. It is found in the temperate climate zone of the northern and southern hemispheres. The name of the plant is Latin. Urtica comes from the word "uro", which means "burn".
What does nettle look like?
Nettle is an erect plant with one central shoot and numerous lateral branches.
The crop is a medium or tall grass: the length of the main stem is from 60 to 200 cm.The leaves are rich green in color, the edges are jagged, serrated, and may be dissected. They are larger in width than in length: 6–12 cm and 5–7 cm, respectively. These parameters depend on the specific type. Stipules are paired, less often fused.
The leaves, central and lateral shoots are covered with burning hairs, through which it stings humans and animals even at the slightest contact. Nettle roots are creeping, branched and very long. They are well developed, so they can saturate the plant with water even during dry periods.
Nettle (pictured) is a fairly tall plant with a thin central shoot from which several large petiolate leaves emerge.
What family does nettle belong to?
Nettle is a genus belonging to the Nettle family of the same name (Urticaceae). It can be either annual or perennial. Refers to wild plants (weed). However, it is quite demanding on the composition of the soil, so it is not found everywhere.
When and how does nettle bloom?
Nettle flowering begins in mid-June and continues until September or early October (depending on the type of plant and climatic conditions). Blooming nettle does not look very impressive because its flowers are small. The color depends on the type of plant - the inflorescences are white, pink, light lilac and blue.
Inflorescences are falsely spike-shaped. Nettle can be either a monoecious or dioecious plant. The ovary is formed with 1 ovule, the type of fruit is a flat nut (grayish color with yellow tints).
Is nettle a poisonous plant or not?
All types of nettles have hairs that densely cover the leaves and stems
The mixture of formic acid, histamine and choline contained on the surface of the pile has a “burning” effect.However, European and Russian varieties are not poisonous. However, you can get a massive burn from the grass if you fall into nettle bushes. This leads to an allergic reaction, accompanied by the following symptoms:
- burning, unpleasant sensations;
- swelling of the tongue, larynx, face;
- severe itching;
- redness;
- blisters;
- rash.
In this case, the person needs to be given an antihistamine (for example, Suprastin), ensure plenty of fluids and rest. If the condition does not improve, seek emergency medical help.
There are species of nettle that are truly poisonous. These are Laportea gigantea (grows in Australia) and Laportea pruriens (Philippines, Indonesia). These are very dangerous plants. If the burn is extensive, they can kill, so the victim needs immediate hospitalization.
Where do nettles grow?
Nettle prefers a temperate climate zone. Most often it is found on light, fertile soils, in shady and well-moistened places. It grows next to vegetable gardens, near dachas, in the city (next to houses), in vacant lots and near roads. It does not form too large thickets (in area), but the planting density can be very high. It is these dense bushes that pose the greatest danger.
In Russia, nettle is found everywhere (except for the regions of the Far North):
- in the middle zone;
- in the North Caucasus;
- in the Urals;
- in Western Siberia.
The most common species is stinging nettle. It is not found in Eastern Siberia and in the regions of the Far East. However, you can find angustifolia nettle here - it is a related species, similar in many botanical characteristics.
Outside Russia, different types of this plant can be found in many countries:
- Central Asia;
- Mongolia;
- China;
- Mediterranean;
- Transcaucasia;
- Southern Europe;
- India;
- North America;
- Southeast Asia;
- Australia and New Zealand.
When the nettle grows
For culinary purposes, young nettles are of particular interest, the leaves of which are still soft and pliable. They begin to appear from late March to mid-May (depending on the region). The leaves have a rich green color, they are small, juicy and pleasant to the taste. They are used both fresh and boiled.
Young nettle leaves are used as food.
Types of nettles
You can find descriptions of more than 50 species of nettle - all of these plants belong to the same genus Urtica. Of these, the two most common species in Russia are dioecious and stinging; other varieties, for example, angustifolia nettle, are less common.
Burning
The species Urtica Urens is found everywhere except in the regions of the Far North, Eastern Siberia and the Far East. The plant is annual, monoecious, low (up to 35 cm), therefore it is also called small nettle.
Both leaves and young shoots are used for medicinal and culinary purposes.
Dioecious
The habitat of this species (Urtica dioica) completely coincides with the distribution areas of stinging nettle. The stems are elongated and hollow inside, completely covered with burning hairs. Stinging nettle (pictured) blooms in small white inflorescences collected in spikelets. A characteristic feature is lanceolate leaves 8–16 cm long, 2 to 8 cm wide.
Stinging nettle is a perennial, tall plant, reaching from 60 to 200 cm.
Narrow-leaved
The species Urtica angustifolia is found in Eastern Siberia and the Far East.It grows in mixed forests, next to rocks, in wastelands, near residential buildings. This nettle (pictured) looks a little different than stinging nettle. The plant has oblong, lanceolate leaves 1–5 cm wide and 5–15 cm long, which is why it got its name.
Angustifolia nettle is widespread in mixed forests of Eastern Siberia
Flat-leaved
The species Urtica plathyphylla Wedd is a medium-sized plant with a height of 50 to 150 cm with narrow (4–10 cm) and rather long (5–20 cm) leaves. Belongs to the East Asian varieties - found in the Far East, including Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, as well as in Japan and China.
Flat-leaved nettle is a low plant with bright green leaves and brownish narrow stems.
Hemp
This variety of Urtica cannabina grows everywhere in Russia, except in the regions of the Far North. It is often found in Mongolia, China and Central Asian countries. The grass is tall - 150–240 cm. The leaves are strongly dissected, serrated, petiolate, reaching 15 cm in length.
The hemp variety is found even in deserted, weedy places
Kyiv
The species Urtica kioviensis is represented by short grass (height from 80 to 120 cm) with lodging stems. Prefers well-moistened, swampy soils, often growing on the shores of water bodies. In Russia it is found in the Black Earth regions. It grows everywhere in Ukraine, which is why it got its name, in the countries of the temperate climate zone of Western and Eastern Europe.
A characteristic feature of the Kyiv variety is ovoid light green leaves with jagged edges.
Gill-leaved
A less common species, Urtica geleopsifolia, is a medium-sized herb (40–100 cm) with a rounded stem and large, lanceolate leaves. It differs in that the upper parts of the plates are elongated, and the edges have a sharp-serrated shape.
Many hairs of Gill-leaved nettle do not emit “burning” substances, so there is no pain after contact with them.
Fierce
This species (Urtica ferox) is also called nettle tree or ongaonga. Under natural conditions, it is found only in New Zealand (endemic). It reaches a height of 4–5 m. The plant causes very painful burns and is poisonous. The literature contains data on the death of one person, as well as several domestic animals, including horses and dogs, who suffered from burns. The indigenous Maori people of New Zealand used certain parts of the ongaonga for food.
Burns from nettle trees are very painful and can lead to the death of the victim.
Distinctive features of different types of nettles
Different types of nettle differ in the height, shape and size of the leaves, as well as their ability to cause burns:
- Stinging is the shortest grass that grows up to 35 cm.
- Dioecious - depending on climatic conditions, the height can be 60–100 and even 150–200 cm. The leaves are lanceolate, narrow.
- Narrow-leaved - the leaf blades are very elongated, the width can be only 1–2 cm, less often 4–5 cm, and the length can be up to 15 cm.
- Flat-leaved is also distinguished by narrow leaves (average width 5–7 cm, length 10–20 cm).
- Hemp has characteristic strongly dissected leaf blades, the central shoot is higher than that of dioica: up to 240 cm. It is undemanding to the composition of the soil, it is found even in abandoned wastelands.
- Kyiv is distinguished by lodging stems and light green leaf blades.
- Gill-leaved is another low-growing variety (40–70 cm, less often up to 100 cm). It differs in that it practically does not sting.
- Ferocious is a poisonous, deadly plant. It is not grass, but a tree that reaches a height of 5 m. It is not found in Russia.
Which nettle is the most useful?
Young nettles (collected from late March to mid-May) of the most common types are usually used for food:
- dioecious;
- burning;
- narrow-leaved;
- Kiev
Foliage can be collected at a later date. It is boiled in soups (no longer suitable for salads), dried and crushed for seasoning or nettle tea (for medicinal purposes).
Young (May) nettle is also considered the most useful. The chemical composition is approximately the same:
- ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
- vitamins B and K;
- phytoncides;
- carotene;
- tannins;
- glycosides;
- gum;
- choline;
- starch;
- proteins;
- histamine;
- phenolic compounds;
- iron;
- manganese;
- titanium;
- nickel;
- boron;
- copper.
Nettle leaves are most often used for medicinal purposes.
The plant has a complex effect on the body:
- increases blood clotting;
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves appetite;
- rejuvenates cells;
- relieves pain in muscles and joints;
- cleanses of accumulated toxins;
- normalizes the functioning of the nervous system;
- cleanses blood vessels;
- reduces blood glucose levels.
Therefore, nettle leaves (mainly dioecious and stinging) are used in both folk and official medicine. The roots of this plant are also used for medicinal purposes.
It is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, problems with blood clotting, chronic kidney disease, and heart problems. If any unusual symptoms occur, you should immediately stop taking it and consult your doctor.
Which nettle is listed in the Red Book
Many species grow as weeds. Kiev nettle is included in the regional Red Book of the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions (status 3 - “rare”). The remaining varieties are found in sufficient quantities and therefore do not require protection.
Where is nettle used?
In Russia, 2 types are most often used - stinging and dioecious, since they are the most common. They are used for different purposes:
- Cooking - for preparing first courses, salads, pies, sauces. The leaves of the plant are also salted and pickled. The dried raw materials are put into tea.
- Medicine - as a diuretic, vitamin, antiseptic, homeopathic, choleretic, expectorant.
- Cosmetology – for healthy hair (including hair loss) and rejuvenation of facial skin.
- Agriculture – livestock feed, spraying crops to control pests (aphids, powdery mildew).
- Textile industry: for producing durable natural “cheviot” fabric (its properties resemble wool).
A dress made of nettle fabric has an attractive shine
Magical properties of the plant
Different peoples have developed legends about the magical properties of nettles. It was used in various rituals, for example:
- They carried it with them for courage.
- They put it in the shoes of a “bewitched” person so that evil spirits could not take him into their world.
- Brooms were made from stems and leaves, which were used to sweep the floor to protect the home from evil spirits.
- For the same purpose, rugs were woven from the shoots and placed in front of the entrance.
- Evil spirits were driven out by fumigating the house.
- Girls washed their hair with infusions of the leaves to attract the attention of the stronger sex.
Nettle is used as an amulet. The plucked leaves are placed in a bag made of natural fabric and carried with them for protection from intruders. The plant is also used in love spells.
Interesting facts about nettles
In Russia and other countries, nettle has been used for a very long time. And not only for medical and culinary purposes, but also for other purposes. Therefore, various sayings have been made about the plant, for example: “hanging around with someone else is like sitting in nettles”; “The nettle seed is an evil seed; you cannot make beer from it.”
Nettle fabric was used to sew strong sails and bags, which were called “wrens”. Interestingly, in Japan even shields were made from the strong stems of the plant, and bow strings were made from plant fibers.
Conclusion
Nettle is valued for its availability, pleasant taste and beneficial properties. This plant is found everywhere. It is better to collect it in clean places, away from the road. If this is not possible, dried raw materials can always be purchased at a pharmacy at an affordable price.
