Nettle is a member of the Urticaceae family, which includes over 700 plant species, many of which are adorned with stinging hairs known as trichomes. The name “Nettle” is believed to be derived from noedl, the Anglo-Saxon word for “needle.” Urtica, its Latin name, means “to burn.”
Nettle grows throughout North America, Europe and in parts of Asia and North Africa, thriving in moist, shady areas with nitrogen-rich soil. While it’s often considered a weed, Nettle can actually help improve the quality of over-fertilized soil and promote biodiversity. Nettle plants, which grow to about two meters high, are harvested for their leaves, stems, roots and seeds.
For thousands of years, Nettle has been cultivated for its healing properties and prescribed for a variety of purposes. Records from the first century show that Greek physicians used Nettle for its diuretic and laxative properties and often relied upon it to treat asthma and pleurisy. In traditional African medicine, powdered Nettle is a treatment for excessive bleeding, and German homeopathic medicine uses Nettle to manage herpes, eczema, burns and other afflictions.
Beyond its medicinal applications, Nettle also has a history as a food and textile source that dates back to medieval times. When prepared as a vegetable, Nettle is an excellent source of vitamin K and contains vitamin A, calcium, manganese, magnesium, protein, iron and antioxidants. Current concerns over the sustainability of fabric manufacturing have sparked a renewed interest in the use of Nettle plant fibers for material production.
