nettle urtica dioica, u. urens
Nettle, can be useful in the treatment of joint injuries, and nerve pain or sciatica by using the fresh plant to sting the area over the injury or pinched nerve. I have tried this for several pinched nerves at once on my back. I healed within 3 days in comparison to two weeks a previous time and 4 weeks another time on various anti- inflammatory remedies. This way of using stinging nettle is called “urtication”, and was once traditionally used to address injuries resulting in impaired nerve function, loss of sensation and paralysis. I’ve also met people who used it to address inflammation in joints; it is specifically useful in tendonitis and other repetitive stress injuries, and has been used effectively in various forms of arthritis as well. It works by calling blood to the area affected and because the sting can be uncomfortable, people have shunned this use, but I have found this plant calling many people for a wide array of ailments. Stinging Nettle is also rich in iron, and can assist in treatment of menstrual pains or cramps and associated headaches.
Inflammation can also be a cause of pain, though its initial occurrence is really a part of the body’s healing response. The “heat” of inflammation is generated by an increase in activity in the area affected. So, when we injure ourselves, the body increases the cellular activity in that area to heal itself. It is therefore recommended within my own being to also take an anti-inflamatory when I use stinging nettle to sting my pains away ;-0 I usually make some golden milk.
There is a really beautiful monster that thrives on Stinging Nettle which I look forward to meeting, as I allow my Nettle to go wild for a bit. The Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar or Cup Moth, Limacodiae is custom built with every conceivable self-protection device imaginable. Bright, garish colors which are like danger signs in nature saying “I taste awful” or “I am loaded with poison; multiple stinging barbs which inflict painful and persistent burning rashes (on humans anyway); false eyes pointing in every direction to say ” I see you, you can’t surprise me”; a head end that looks the same as the rear end so there can be no potential surprise attack from behind; and specific to the Limacodid caterpillars (who actually have no true legs, hence the slug in their name), a sticky adhesive underside that makes them very difficult to prise off their food plant. With that in mind, stinging nettle caterpillars are often not hard to find. They don’t conceal themselves day or night and will often be in the most conspicuous of locations. Basically, they have little to fear. I love the heart shapes in this image …
Do not forget Stinging Nettle is really great as a compost activator too, and can be eaten …. make a soup, or cook it like spinach or make a pesto pasta as below. Love and light 
Leave a Reply