the urinary canal. The seeds are used in coughs and shortness of breath.
DOSE: Of the decoction, 2–4 fluidounces. Of the powdered root or leaves, 20–40 grains.
EXTERNALLY: J. Kloss, in Back to Eden, says: “Use nettle simmered for 30 minutes and massage into the
scalp after rinsing the hair to bring back the natural colour.” For those suffering from rheumatism without
relief, rub or stick the troubled part with fresh nettles for a few minutes daily. The relief of joint pain will
often justify a few moments of unpleasant stinging.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of the fresh plant in flower for agalactia, bee stings, burns, calculus
(prevention of), deltoid (rheumatism of), dysentery, erysipelas (vesicular), erythema, gout, gravel,
hemorrhage, intermittents, lactation, leukorrhea, menorrhagia, phlegmasia dolens, renal colic, rheumatism,
spleen (affections of), throat (sore), uremia, urticaria, nodosa, vertigo, whooping cough, worms.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Krapiva (nettle) grows everywhere in Russia. After three hundred years modern
science has established and gives credit to nettle as an antiseptic. Folk medicine: Since the seventeenth
century Russian herbalists have given credit to nettle as antiseptic, astringent, and blood purifier, which
are only a few of its properties. Nettle ranks high in some of the first books on herbs and their uses and is
still recommended for treatment. Decoction of the whole plant for headache; decoction with honey or
sugar to improve the function of the heart, liver, kidney, anemia, blood purifying, gastritis, tubercular
lungs; taken cold after delivery for afterbirth, whooping cough; decoction of the root for whooping cough
and any internal bleeding; flower decoction for diabetes. Externally: “Decomposing flesh will be
cleansed, wounds and ulcers healed after treatments of Nettle. The boiled Herb is used to strengthen,
stimulate new growths and stop falling hair if used as a hair wash.” (Vishaya Schkolla, M., 1963).
Bruised fresh leaves are used for rheumatic pain, dropsy, and chest pain (Bello-Russ. Academy of
Science, 1965). Clinically: As extracts and compounds. Food: The young spring leaves are among the
best used as garden greens and are a main ingredient in Caucasian national recipes.
INDIAN AND PAKISTAN EXPERIENCE: Local name bichu, chicru. Bodily influence: Diuretic, astringent,
emmenagogue, hemostatic, anthelmintic, lithotriptic, antiperiodic. Uses: Nettle decoctions are used for
kidney diseases and hemorrhage, especially from the uterus, and to treat kidneys, consumption, and
jaundice. Young tops as a fresh nettle tea are used for intermittent fever, gravel in the kidneys, and
excessive menstrual flow. Juice is very effective in checking bleeding from the nose, lungs, uterus, and
other internal organs. Externally: The pulverized dry herb is used to sniff for nose bleeding (J. F. Dastur,
Medical Plants of India and Pakistan, India, 1962).