What is stinging nettle?

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 Once the plant is processed, by heating it or drying it out, these toxins are no longer active.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]