Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany
florapal.org
Urtica urens L.
Urticaceae
- Burning Nettle
- Dwarf Nettle
- Small Nettle
- humsha حومشة
- hurreiq حريق
- qurreis 'adi قريص عادي
- sha'r el-'ajuz شعر العجوز
- sirpad tzorev
- סִרְפָּד צוֹרֵב
Annual
- Nutrient-rich soils
- ruderal
and other botanical details.
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Urtica urens L.
| System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatological | Skin allergy |
Anti-allergy | Apply juice from aerial parts to skin. |
Aerial parts | B |
| Dermatological | Skin problems |
Non-specific | Apply juice from aerial parts to affected skin. |
Aerial parts | B |
| Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) | Nose infection |
Anti-Infective | Grind dried seeds & inhale. |
Seed | B |
| Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) | Nosebleed |
Haemostatic | Burn dried fruits, crush into powder & pour into nose during nose bleed or x 2/day. |
Fruit | Z |
| General | Oedema |
Anti-hydropic | Decoct fruit in water, cool, filter & drink for 7 days. |
Fruit | Z |
| Kidney & Urinary Tract | Difficulty passing urine |
Deobstruent | Decoct leaves & add to decoction of thyme (Origanum syriacum) + cinnamon + fennel; drink 1 cup x4/day until well. |
Leaf | B |
| Kidney & Urinary Tract | Urinary tract infection |
Anti-Infective | Cut & wash leaves, boil in water for 15 min & drink as much as possible until recovery. |
Leaf | B |
| Mens Health | Prostate inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory, Prostate health | Extract juice from stem & drink 1 teaspoon x2/day for 10 days. |
Stem | B |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Rheumatic pain |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | Use leaves & aerial parts. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Aerial parts, Leaf | Z |
| Opthalmic | Eye pain |
Analgesic | Use leaves & aerial parts. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Aerial parts, Leaf | Z |
Other Uses
Urtica urens L.
| System/State | Complaint / Use | Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary | Diarrhea in livestock |
Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal | Decoct aerial parts & add to animal`s drinking water (cows, sheep, goats). |
Aerial parts | B |
| Veterinary | Increase lactation in livestock |
Galactagogue | Add aerial parts to animal feed (cows, sheep, goats). |
Aerial parts | B |
| Veterinary | Udder inflammation & hardness in livestock |
Anti-inflammatory | Strike whole plant against animal`s udder. |
Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | B |
| Veterinary | Urinary tract infection in livestock |
Anti-Infective | Add aerial parts to animal feed (cows, sheep, goats). |
Aerial parts | B |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER - https://florapal.org/disclaimer/
Notes
Cautions
The Urtica genus has species with stinging hairs on leaves causing skin irritation. This can be neutralized by cooking or decocting the leaves. Old leaves develop cystoliths (outgrowths of the cell wall usually of calcium carbonate) which can irritate the kidneys. Roots may cause gastrointestinal upsets & nausea. Avoid in preganacy & lactation & severely allergic patients. Can interfere with drugs for hypertension, diabetes & the CNS.