Content
- 1 Botanical description of stinging nettle
- 2 Methods of propagation of stinging nettle
- 3 Features of cultivation
- 4 Chemical composition of stinging nettle
- 5 Medicinal properties of stinging nettle
- 6 Use of stinging nettle in medicine
- 7 Terms and rules for collecting stinging nettle
- 8 Use of stinging nettle in other areas
- 9 Conclusion
Stinging nettle is a controversial plant. It helps treat diseases and saved people from hunger during wars. Many people still use it in salads. But gardeners hate it fiercely. And there are reasons for this. In summer cottages it is an ineradicable and tenacious weed.
Botanical description of stinging nettle
Perennial dioecious grass with a powerful root system developing horizontally. Depending on climatic conditions, it grows from 60 cm to 2 m in height. The name of stinging nettle in Latin is Urtica dioica.The specific name "dioicus" comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "two houses", the generic name comes from the Latin word "uro", that is, "burn".
The stems are erect, fibrous, hollow inside. The cross section is tetrahedral. Initially the escape is single. Over time, axillary stems develop. Stinging nettle is covered with stinging hairs.
The leaves of stinging nettle are equilateral, opposite, simple. The color is dark green. The tips of the leaf blades are pointed. The edges are coarsely serrated or coarsely toothed. The shape is oblong, ovoid-lanceolate or heart-shaped. Sometimes there is an elliptical one. The ratio of the length and width of the leaf blade is 2:1. The bases of the leaves have a deep, up to 5 mm, notch. The petioles are long.
Inflorescences are drooping panicles. Peduncles are located at the base of the petioles. The lowest inflorescences appear at a height of 7-14 nodes from the ground. Peduncles can also grow on axillary shoots. In dioecious plants, one specimen can have only male or female flowers. Because of this, half the stinging nettle population remains sterile.
Unlike male inflorescences, female inflorescences of stinging nettle have protection
The fruits are small elliptical nuts 1-1.4 mm long. The color is yellowish or light brown. The surface is matte.
The root system of stinging nettle is located horizontally and shallowly underground. Stolon-shaped roots grow by 35-40 cm per year.
Defense mechanism against herbivores
All aerial parts of stinging nettle are covered with thick, stinging hairs. The latter are one giant cell, similar to a medical ampoule and filled with silicon salts. The tip of the “ampule” protrudes beyond the plant. The walls of the protective cage are very fragile. They break even with slight impact. The sharp end of the hair pierces the skin, and the juice that fills the cell enters the herbivore’s body. Composition of the ampoule contents:
- formic acid;
- histamine;
- choline
These substances cause skin irritation and a burning sensation.
Touching some tropical nettles can cause death
Where does stinging nettle grow?
The weed is very unpretentious and easily adapts to different climatic conditions. Distributed in the temperate climate zone of the northern and southern hemispheres. Humans brought the seeds to continents where they were not originally found. In this way, the plant penetrated into North America and Australia. In Eurasia, stinging nettle grows not only in Europe. It can be found in Asia Minor and Western Asia and in India. In North Africa, its range stretches from Libya to Morocco. Only available in South America.
In Russia, it is distributed in Western Siberia and the European part. It was introduced to the Far East and Eastern Siberia. In natural conditions it prefers forest and forest-steppe zones.
Stinging nettle is a ruderal plant. That is, she prefers:
- forest felling;
- wet forests and meadows;
- ditches;
- ravines;
- garbage places near fences and homes;
- abandoned lands;
- shores of reservoirs.
Thanks to the ability for vegetative propagation, it forms “clean” thickets that do not have inclusions of foreign flora over large areas.
Stinging nettle does not have a conservation status. On the contrary, it is considered a difficult weed to eradicate. But it is easy to confuse it with another nettle: Kyiv. Both species have very similar:
- inflorescences;
- leaves;
- shoot height.
The Kyiv law actually protects in some regions:
- Voronezh and Lipetsk regions;
- Belarus;
- Hungary;
- Czech Republic.
But if you look closely, it is not difficult to distinguish a protected species from a malicious weed.
The main difference between Kyiv nettle and dioecious nettle is longer and narrower leaf blades
Is stinging nettle growing wild or not?
Stinging nettle was a cultivated plant until the 19th century, when it was grown for its fiber for the textile industry. Today gardeners are not happy about its appearance. If stinging nettle is given free rein, it will quickly fill all the space available to it. And it is very difficult to get rid of it.
But although stinging nettle has given way to cotton and synthetic fabrics, South Asian countries still use ramie/bomeria fibers, which are specially grown on an industrial scale. Asian grass belongs to the same family as stinging nettle, but it has a different genus and does not have the stinging hairs.
Bomerian fabrics are valued for their resemblance to natural silk
Is stinging nettle poisonous?
It depends on the point of view. The stinging bristles contain poison that affects the skin and mucous membranes. But as a plant used for food, stinging nettle is harmless. You just need to pour boiling water over it to avoid burns.The danger is consuming too many nettle leaves and seeds, due to their high content of vitamin K, which clots the blood.
How to distinguish stinging nettle from stinging nettle
When young, stinging nettle and stinging nettle look very similar. But in mature plants, details become noticeable, by which they are easy to distinguish from each other:
- difference in shoot height: stinging no more than 35 cm, dioecious - up to 2 m;
- the appearance of the inflorescence is spike-shaped in the stinging one, and a hanging panicle in the dioecious one;
- size of inflorescences: in dioecious the petioles are longer, in the pungent one they are shorter or equal.
Stinging, unlike dioecious, does not reproduce using the root system, therefore it forms only small clumps, without claiming all the available space.
The places of growth of stinging and dioecious are the same:
- vacant lots;
- vegetable gardens;
- roadsides;
- along the edges of compost pits;
- spaces near houses and fences.
The main condition for growth: nitrogen-rich soil.
The pungent variety is used to treat urolithiasis and heal skin ulcers
Methods of propagation of stinging nettle
Stinging nettle reproduces using seeds and roots. The germination rate of nettle “nuts” is low. In addition, only female plants can produce fruits. This method is suitable for transferring future offspring over long distances. Seed germination may increase after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of cattle.
To conquer nearby spaces, the vegetative method is more effective, since male specimens can also produce clones. There are growth buds on the stolons, which are activated the next year.Thus, even a male plant can produce clones and take over the entire surrounding area.
Roots are the main method of propagation of stinging nettle.
Features of cultivation
There are none, since no one grows weed specifically. But if you want to completely destroy your summer cottage, then you can make a well-manured garden bed. It is better to mix the soil with humus in a 1:1 ratio. After this, pour out the seeds and lightly dust them with soil. There is no need to dig deep. The soil is kept slightly moist. The illumination of the bed does not matter. Given sufficient water and nutrients, stinging nettle grows well in both shade and sun.
Chemical composition of stinging nettle
Young shoots of stinging nettle contain:
- fiber – 37%;
- crude protein – 23%;
- ash – 18%;
- fats – 3%.
The most valuable part of stinging nettle is its leaves. 100 g contain:
- 100-270 mg of ascorbic acid;
- 14-50 mg provitamin A;
- 41 mg iron;
- 8.2 mg manganese;
- 4.3 mg boron;
- 2.7 mg titanium;
- 0.03 mg nickel.
1 g of leaves contains 400 IU of vitamin K. The large discrepancy in data on vitamins C and A is due to the very large area of the plant. Samples for the study were collected in places with different soil compositions.
In addition to vitamins and microelements, the leaves contain:
- chlorophyll up to 8%;
- tannins;
- sugar;
- organic acids;
- sitosterol;
- phytoncides;
- porphyrins;
- glycoside urticin;
- phenolic acids.
The rich chemical composition allows the herb to be used as a remedy in folk medicine. It is believed to help against many diseases, including colds.
Medicinal properties of stinging nettle
Thanks to its rich vitamin composition and medicinal properties, stinging nettle has found application in both medicine and cosmetology. In Rus', it has been used as a means for healing wounds since the 16th century.
Leaves and roots are used for medicinal purposes. But the latter are much more difficult to prepare, although there is an opinion that they are more effective. The leaves are harvested on an industrial scale. They are also more convenient for home use.
The plant is cut off entirely and dried for 2-3 hours. After which the leaves are torn off and dried in a ventilated room, spread out in a layer of 4 cm. The shelf life of dry raw materials is two years.
Stinging nettle is good for winter storage if frozen, pickled or canned.
Use of stinging nettle in medicine
In folk medicine, stinging nettle is very popular. The herb is used to treat many diseases:
- as a hemostatic for internal bleeding;
- for the treatment of polymenorrhea and endometriosis;
- to shorten periods that are too long;
- for rheumatism and joint diseases;
- for better wound healing;
- as a multivitamin for colds;
- for diabetes to lower sugar levels.
Although all these diseases primarily require medical intervention, and not nettle infusion. Internal bleeding is dangerous because it is not noticeable until the person loses consciousness. And untimely bleeding in a woman can be a sign of uterine cancer. Here it is necessary to eliminate the cause, and not suppress the symptom.
Any use of stinging nettle in folk medicine is associated with the presence of a large amount of vitamin K in it, which accelerates blood clotting. Because of this property, uncontrolled use of drugs from stinging nettle will bring not only benefits, but also harm.
Official medicine is more cautious about the medicinal properties of nettle. It is used in some drugs, but as an auxiliary ingredient:
- Allohol, choleretic.
The tablets contain the most dry bile - 80 mg and the least amount of nettle - 5 mg.
- Polyhemostat to stop external venous and capillary bleeding.
In a sachet of Polyhemostat, weighing 2.5 g, the proportion of dry nettle extract is 25 mg.
- Bronchophyte, an herbal mixture that is used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
A package of Bronchophyte contains only 8 g of nettle leaves.
The use of stinging nettle is widespread in other areas.
Dosage forms
At home, you can prepare three types of medicinal preparations from stinging nettle:
- infusion;
- decoction;
- oil.
They are used not only in case of illness, but also for cosmetic procedures.
Nettle leaves can be brewed instead of tea
Stinging nettle decoction
For the decoction, take 10 g of dry nettle leaves and a glass of boiling water. The herb is poured with water and kept on low heat for 15 minutes, without letting it boil. Leave for 45 minutes. The broth is filtered and topped up with boiled water to 200 ml. Take 3-4 times a day, 100 ml.
Stinging nettle infusion
It differs from a decoction in that you need more leaves and the preparation time is longer: 20 g of herb per glass of boiling water and leave for two hours. Take 30 ml 3-4 times a day.
Stinging nettle oil
At home, nettle oil is obtained by cold or hot infusion. Any vegetable with a long oxidation period is used as a base:
- sunflower;
- sesame;
- olive;
- wheat germ;
- almond.
Methods for obtaining nettle oil differ in preparation time.
"Cold" method
For cold infusion, stinging nettle leaves are placed in a jar, filled with oil and placed in a dark place. It takes a month to receive the finished product. The container is shaken daily to better mix the contents.
"Hot" method
To prepare the product using the hot infusion method, you will need a heat-resistant container. Grass is placed in it and oil is poured. Then they put it in a water bath and heat it up.
Heat the container for half an hour. The procedure is repeated for two more days.
Filtration and storage
The finished product is filtered, removing the leaves. A few drops of vitamin E are added to the oil. The latter needs 0.2 g per 100 ml of the drug. Store the finished product in the refrigerator. Shelf life is one year.
Oil from the seeds of stinging nettle is prepared in the same way as from the leaves.
Rules for use for medicinal purposes
Decoctions and infusions are taken 30-60 minutes after meals. Better fresh. Can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. Ready-made medications cannot be heated, and for colds, warm drinks are necessary.
But chilled infusions are suitable for external use.They are used for better healing of skin ulcers. You need to change the compress with nettle infusion every six hours.
And the main rule for using nettle preparations is not to replace drug treatment prescribed by a doctor. Herbs give a good effect as auxiliary, and not primary means.
Contraindications and side effects of stinging nettle
Preparations from stinging nettle should not be used by people with diseases of the cardiovascular system:
- hypertension;
- varicose veins;
- predisposition to thromboembolism;
- thrombophlebitis;
- other diseases that can cause the formation of blood clots in the vessels.
Nettle is contraindicated for people with individual intolerance.
Terms and rules for collecting stinging nettle
Since stinging nettle grows in all climatic zones of Russia, the timing of its collection varies in different regions. You need to focus on flowering. At this time, herbs accumulate the maximum amount of nutrients.
Stinging nettle blooms from May until late autumn. But in the southern regions, the grass usually dries out by June. There, flowering can begin as early as the second half of April. Therefore, you need to focus on the appearance of inflorescences.
Separately dried flowers are an excellent addition to tea leaves.
The stems of stinging nettle are mowed and dried in the shade in the air for about three hours. After this, the leaves and inflorescences are torn off. The latter can be used separately as an additive to tea. Next, the raw materials are dried and placed in linen or paper packaging.
You cannot use a plastic bag or glass jars to store dried stinging nettle.When the temperature changes, condensation forms inside. The shelf life of medicinal herbs is two years.
You cannot collect medicinal raw materials in environmentally polluted places:
- near highways and railway lines;
- in landfills;
- near cattle burial grounds;
- close to operating or recently operating industrial enterprises;
- in places where mineral fertilizers are stored;
- surroundings of various construction sites.
Raw materials are collected at a distance of more than 200 m from the unfavorable place.
Use of stinging nettle in other areas
Young shoots are used to prepare vitamin soups. It is salted and fermented for use in winter. In the Caucasus, fresh leaves are added to salads and other dishes.
A decoction of stinging nettle is used to give hair shine and silkiness. They rinse their hair with it after washing.
The oil is used to improve skin condition. It normalizes lipid metabolism, helps smooth out wrinkles on the face and prevents the formation of dandruff on the scalp.
Stinging nettle stimulates lactation and increases milk yield in cattle. Farmers often use it as a feed additive when preparing diets for dairy cattle. Unscrupulous farmers feed this grass to their laying hens. Due to its high carotene content, stinging nettle helps turn egg yolks a bright orange color.
Conclusion
Stinging nettle has come to the rescue more than once in past centuries in the spring, when food supplies were already running low. It supplied people not only with nutrients, but also with a complex of vitamins. Today it is more often used as a medicinal plant, although it can diversify the spring menu.
