Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is the most common member of the plant family Urticaceae that grows worldwide . The plant is tall and green, with green flowers and black seeds. The leaves and stems of most subspecies of U. dioica have trichomes, small needle-like projections that inject chemicals into the skin when touched. These chemicals, a combination of histamine, acetylcholine, and leukotrienes, cause pain, skin irritation, and rashes. Once the plant is processed, by heating it or drying it out, these toxins are no longer active. All parts of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes, including the roots, the leaves, the flowers, and the stems.[1][2]
What is stinging nettle?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a tall green plant from the Urticaceae family and is characterized by its needle-like trichomes that inject irritating chemicals into the skin. Despite its painful effects when touched, all parts of the plant have medicinal uses once processed to deactivate the toxins.