About Nettle

Nettles constitute between 24 and 39 species of flowering plants of the genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae, with a cosmopolitan though mainly temperate distribution. They are mostly herbaceous perennial plants, but some are annual and a few are shrubby. Most of the species have stinging hairs on the stems and leaves.
The most prominent member of the genus is the stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. The genus also contains a number of other species with similar properties, listed below. However, a large number of species included within this genus in the older literature are now recognized as synonyms of Urtica dioica. Some of these taxa are still recognized as subspecies.
Urtica nettles are food for the caterpillars of numerous Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), such as the tortrix moth Syricoris lacunana and several Nymphalidae.
Vegetative characteristics

Nettle species grow as annuals or perennial herbaceous plants, rarely shrubs. They can reach, depending on the type, location and nutrient status, a height of 10–300 cm. The perennial species have underground rhizomes. The green parts have stinging hairs. Their often quadrangular stems are unbranched or branched, erect, ascending or spreading.
Most leaves and stalks are arranged across opposite sides of the stem . The leaf blades are elliptic, lanceolate, ovate or circular. The leaf blades usually have three to five, rarely up to seven veins. The leaf margin is usually serrate to more or less coarsely toothed. The often-lasting bracts are free or fused to each other. The Cystoliths are extended to more or less rounded.
[edit]Toxicity

Most of the species listed below share the property of having stinging hairs, and might be expected to have similar medicinal uses to the stinging nettle. The stings of Urtica ferox, the ongaonga or tree nettle of New Zealand, have been known to kill horses, dogs and at least one human.
The nature of the toxin secreted by nettles is not settled. The stinging hairs of most nettle species contain formic acid, serotonin and histamine; however recent studies of Urtica thunbergiana implicate oxalic acid and tartaric acid rather than any of those substances, at least in that species.

Nettle Plants

Nettle Plants

(Rutaceae) (Zanthoxylum armatum DC) Timur

Tree of (Rutaceae)

Medicinal Plants

The goodness and healing properties of herbal plants were explored by people since ages. The study of herbal medicinal plants, known as Ayurveda was practiced in India. Use of plants for medication and treatment dates back to the Vedic period. Today, implementation of traditional methods to treat body ailments has become a profession. This has further boosted its commercial production and the rate of consumption has considerably increased.

List of Medicinal Plants and their Uses

The list of medicinal herbs available across the globe is huge. In the following list we have sorted the species that are commonly used due to their wonderful healing effects and therapeutic value. Have a look at them.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Uses
Acacia	Acacia greggi	astringent, demulcent, emollient
Agrimony	Agrimonia eupatoria	blood coagulant
Pimenta	Pimenta dioica	heals wounds, bruises
Ajwain	Trachyspermum ammi	antibacterial, carminative, digestive
Ashok	Trachyspermum ammi	relieves menstrual pain, diabetes, uterine disorders
Amla	Phyllanthus emblica	Cough, diabetes, laxative, acidity
Ashwagandha	Withania somnifera	relieves stress, nerve disorder, restores normal function of body
Brahmi	Bacopa monnieri	jaundice, anemia, dropsy
Bael	Aegle marmelos	constipation, diarrhea, dysentery
Chirata	Swertia chirata	burn, skin diseases, fever
Guggul	Commiphora wightii	asthma, hydrocele, diabetes
Guluchi	Tinospora cordifolia	jaundice, gout, piles, fever
Kalmegh	Andrographis paniculata	gastritis, fever, weakness
Makoi	Solanum nigrum	dysentery, diuretic, debility
Pashan Bheda	Coleus barbatus	calculus, stones in kidney
Sarpa Gandha	Ranwolfia serpentina	insomnia, hypertension
Tulsi	Ocimum tenuiflorum	expectorant, cough, cold
Vai Vidanka	Embelia ribes	skin disease, helminthiasis
Peppermint	Mentha piperita	pain-killer, digestive
Vringraj	Eclipta alba	anti-inflammatory, leukemia, stress reliever
Chitrak	Plumbargo zeylanica	dyspepsia, inflammation, cough, colic
Harada	Terminalia chebula	leprosy, inflammation, vomiting, insomnia
Neem	Azadirachta indica	analgesic, astringent, epilepsy
Kantakari	Solanum xanthocarpum	appetizer, stomach ache, diuretic

List of Medicinal Herbs and their Uses

A plethora of herbs are also utilized for treatment of health disorders. From the table below you shall come to know their medicinal properties and uses. Such herbal medicines are capable of curing health problems completely.

Common Names	Scientific Names	Uses
Lemon Balm	Melissa officinalis	digestion, stomach spasms, anti-viral
Angelica	Angelica sylvestris	gastritis, cramps, digestion
Chickweed	Stellaria media	itching, irritation, rashes
Cleavers	Galium aparine	skin diseases, diuretic
Couch grass	Cynodon dactylon	rheumatism, cystitis, gout
Dandelion	Taraxacum officinale	dissolves kidney and gallstones, diuretics
Elderberry	Sambucus canadensis	bronchitis, cold, cough
Garlic	Allium sativum	anti-microbial, cardiovascular treatment
Ginger	Zingiber officinale	motion sickness, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea
Lavender	Lavandula angustifolia	stress reliever, boosts spirits, stomach disorders
Red Clover	Trifolium pratense	rejuvenatory, skin nourishing
Rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis	improves blood supply to brain
Thyme	Thymus pulegioides	antifungal, anti-bacterial, expectorant
Yarrow	Achillea millefolium	wound cleansing, blood coagulation, digestive