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Urtica dioica - Vrscikali

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Urtica dioica, Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and western North America and introduced elsewhere. The species is divided into six subspecies, five of which have many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals.

Uses

Urination problems, Kidney stones, Allergies, Hayfever, Osteoarthritis, Internal bleeding, Nosebleeds, Anemia, Diabetes

Parts Used

Leaves.

Chemical Composition

The principal chemicals of interest are the sterols and steryl glycosides, including beta-sitosterol. Nettle root also contains lignans (e.g. secoisolariciresinol) and six isolectins collectively referred to as UDA (Urtica dioica agglutinin)[1]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada
Hindi Bichchhu
Malayalam
Tamil
Telugu
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Vrscikali
English Stinging Nettle


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Tikshna (Sharp)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Habit

Plant

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple Alternate The thin, bright to dark green leaves are positioned opposite, with saw-toothed margins and infamous stinging hairs on the underside

[2]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual 2-4cm long Yellow 5-20 Tiny, greenish-white flowers are arranged in clusters on slender, branched spikes formed in the leaf axils

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
General 7–10 mm Stinging nettle produces a small, dry, oval-shaped Fruits are clustered along drooping flower spikes 1 {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

Prefers a soil rich in phosphates and nitrogen. Plants must be grown in a deep rich soil if good quality fibre is required[3]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Waste ground, hedgerows, Rich soil area.

Photo Gallery

References

External Links