Urtica urens

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
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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.

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.