Herb of the Month: Nettle
Herb of the Month: Nettle
Botanical Name
Urtica dioica (Common perennial Nettle; Stinging Nettle).
Urtica urens (Annual Nettle; Dog Nettle; Small Nettle)
Urtica gracilis, Urtica californica, and Urtica holosericea, which are used interchangeably with Urtica dioica.
Other Names
Stinging Nettle, Net Plant, Hidgy Pidgy, Devils Leaf
Family
Urticaceae
Parts Used
Above ground, roots and seed.
Overview and Mythology.
Urtica comes from the Latin verb urere, meaning “to burn,” because of its urticate (stinging) hairs. The species name dioica means “two houses” because the plant usually has either male or female flowers During World War II, Nettles were used as green camouflage paint. Medieval monks would flagellate themselves with Nettle for penance. This was also done by Roman soldiers to warm themselves and help them better adapt to the cold, damp, English climate.
Urtica is also a medieval term for ‘hive’. Nettle is a great companion plant, strngthening other plants in the area as does a tea of nettle Plants growing close to Nettle tend to be stronger in their volatile oils. When added to the compost pile, it hastens breakdown. When lactating animals are fed Nettles they produce more milk, and chickens produce more eggs.
Rudolph Steiner called the Nettle plant ‘Heart of the world’ because it radiated healing energy to people and the plants around it. Lelord Kordel said about Nettles ‘The sting of Nettles is but nothing compared to the pain that it heals’. The sting of Urtica urentissima is said to last a year. Fortunately, this claim is untrue.
Astrology: Scorpio influence
Nettle is ruled by Mars, Moon, Saturn
Chakra
Affects 2nd, 3rd and 4th
Ref: herbsorganic.co