Muscle and joint pain 2. Typical European plants are said to be usually if not always dioecious and to have broader ovate and definitely cordate leaf blades, which bear stinging hairs on both surfaces. Alternative practitioners believe that stinging nettles can reduce pain and inflammation associated with both infectious and non-infection conditions. To use, dilute a few drops of the tincture in half a cup of water and drink as a general health tonic. This herb should not be used during pregnancy, or by those who take prescription medication. I think I will domesticate it in the nearest future. Urtica dioica, often known as common nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. Just harvest regularly to encourage new growth, and keep an eye on them in case they start to spread to areas where you don’t want them to grow. Nettle does especially well on the edges of meadows, pastures, or streams where the soil stays moist but isn’t waterlogged. You can also hang leaves to dry in small bunches. Stinging nettle is dioecious, which means plants can have either male or female flowers. To harvest, cut back the top third of the plant, just above a node where leaves branch off, which will encourage new growth. Petiolated leaves have coarsely toothed margins, smooth surfaces to a few hairs beneath and long, stinging … Frequently, I would be out peacefully weeding my beds and daydreaming – until I was jolted back to earth by an unexpected sting, the effects of which could last for hours. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a springtime, flowering plant that grows abundantly in North America and temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere.. The sting subsides after a few minutes or if rinsed with water, she adds. The most common variety (Urtica dioica procera) is native to North America, being prolific in California and other areas of the western United States, and is referred to by a number of common names for its two mo… Harvesting nettles can sound intimidating, but with a few precautions in mind, you won’t get any trouble from the pesky needles. Never mind worrying about pests and disease. Among the conditions stinging nettles are purported to treat are: 1. … Inflammation is your body’s way of healing itself and fighting infections. Fresh leaves can also be used in cheesemaking as a vegetarian substitute for rennet. Never mind worrying about pests and disease. If you are concerned about spreading, consider confining it to containers. Do not confuse these plants with dead nettle (Lamium maculatum), a harmless perennial plant used in shade gardens. You may choose to cut off the top third to keep plants from becoming too tall and toppling over. If you have a friend with a thriving patch, ask if you can dig up a couple of plants in late fall and replant them in your yard. If you can learn to properly identify them – which isn’t difficult if you touch them, but relying on visual cues is preferred! These are actually tiny hollow tubes known as trichomes. Most if not all of our plants are monoecious, have narrower, smoother leaves, and are the native subsp. She holds a bachelor of science degree in environmental science from Tufts University, and has traveled and worked in many roles in conservation and environmental advocacy, including creating and managing programs based around resource conservation, organic gardening, food security, and building leadership skills. Male flowers can be yellow or purple, while female flowers are green and white. The drying time can vary depending on your location and the relative humidity, and it could take anywhere from one to a few weeks. The staff at Gardener’s Path are not medical professionals and this article should not be construed as medical advice intended to assess, diagnose, prescribe, or promise cure. There is no recommended dosage for stinging nettle. The plant can spread vegetatively with its yellow creeping rhizomes and often forms dense colonies. Stinging nettle, also known as Urtica dioica is a perineal plant that grows during the warmer spring and summer months then begins to die down with cooler temperatures and less sunlight. Nettles can reduce the risk of pest infestation for surrounding crops not be used in cooking, to tea... Of scissors adjacent to each other, and is actually quite delicious with... To an inch apart the needles are generally pointed downward stinging nettle plant michigan so wisely! American use in food, medicine, cordage, and native bees 2 diabetes, choose..., ” Kelly says, that inject compounds into the skin, including stinging nettle plant michigan. 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