Content
Nettle is a common weed that is found in almost all regions of Russia and neighboring countries. Differs in useful properties (diuretic, expectorant, choleretic and many others), is used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology, agriculture and even magic.
Botanical description of nettle
Nettle is one of the most common flowering plants. It is found in the temperate climatic zone of the northern and southern hemisphere. The name of the plant is lat. Urtica comes from the word "uro" which means "burn".
What does nettle look like?
Nettle is an upright plant with one central shoot and numerous side branches
The culture belongs to medium- or tall-growing grass: the length of the main stem is from 60 to 200 cm. The leaves are rich green, the edges are serrated, serrate, can be dissected. They are larger in width than in length: 6–12 cm and 5–7 cm, respectively. These parameters depend on the specific species. Stipules are paired, rarely accrete.
Leaves, central and lateral shoots are covered with stinging hairs through which it stings humans and animals even at the slightest contact. Nettle roots are creeping, branched and very long. They are well developed, so they can saturate the plant with water even during dry periods.
Nettle (pictured) is a fairly tall plant with a thin central shoot, from which several large petiole leaves depart.
What family does the nettle belong to?
Nettle is a genus belonging to the family of the same name Nettle (Urticaceae). It happens both one-year and long-term. Refers to wild plants (weed). However, it is quite demanding on the composition of the soil, therefore it is not found everywhere.
When and how nettles bloom
Nettle bloom begins in mid-June and lasts until September or early October (depending on the type of plant and climatic conditions). Blooming nettle does not look very impressive, since its flowers are small. The color depends on the type of plant - the inflorescences are white, pink, light lilac and blue.
Inflorescences are falsely spiky. Nettle can be both monoecious and dioecious. The ovary is formed with 1 ovule, the type of fruit is a flat nut (grayish color with yellow tints).
Nettle is a poisonous plant or not
All types of nettle have hairs that densely cover the leaves and stems
The mixture of formic acid, histamine and choline, contained on the surface of the pile, has a "burning" effect. At the same time, European and Russian varieties are not poisonous. However, the grass can burn extensively if you fall into the nettle bushes. This leads to the appearance of an allergic reaction, accompanied by the following symptoms:
- burning, discomfort;
- swelling of the tongue, larynx, face;
- severe itching;
- redness;
- blisters;
- rash.
In this case, the person needs to be given an antihistamine (for example, "Suprastin"), to ensure abundant drinking and rest.If the condition does not improve, emergency medical attention should be called.
There are types of nettles that are truly poisonous. These are Giant Laportea (grows in Australia) and Burning Laportea (Philippines, Indonesia). These are very dangerous plants. In the event of a massive burn, they can kill, so the victim needs immediate hospitalization.
Where nettles grow
Nettle prefers a temperate climatic zone. It is most often found on light, fertile soils, in shady and well-damp areas. It grows next to vegetable gardens, near dachas, in the city (near houses), on wastelands and near roads. Does not form too large (in area) thickets, but the stocking density can be very high. It is these dense bushes that pose the greatest danger.
In Russia, nettle is found everywhere (except for the regions of the Far North):
- in the middle lane;
- in the North Caucasus;
- in the Urals;
- in Western Siberia.
The most common type is stinging nettle. It is not found in Eastern Siberia and in the regions of the Far East. However, narrow-leaved nettle can be found here, a related species that is similar in many botanical characteristics.
Outside Russia, different types of this plant can be found in many countries:
- Central Asia;
- Mongolia;
- China;
- Mediterranean;
- Transcaucasia;
- Southern Europe;
- India;
- North America;
- Southeast Asia;
- Australia and New Zealand.
When nettles grow
For culinary purposes, young nettles are of particular interest, the leaves of which are still soft and pliable. They begin to appear from late March to mid-May (depending on the region). The leaves have a rich green color, they are small, juicy and pleasant to the taste. They are used both fresh and boiled.
The leaves of young nettle are used for food.
Types of nettles
You can find descriptions of more than 50 species of nettle - all of these plants belong to one genus Urtica. Of these, 2 types are most common in Russia - dioecious and stinging, other varieties are less common, for example, narrow-leaved nettle.
Burning
The species Urtica Urens is found everywhere, except for the regions of the Far North, Eastern Siberia and the Far East. The plant is an annual, monoecious, low (up to 35 cm), therefore it is also called small nettle.
For medicinal and culinary purposes, both leaves and young shoots are used.
Dioecious
The range of this species (Urtica dioica) completely coincides with the places of distribution of stinging nettle. Stems are elongated and hollow inside, completely covered with stinging hairs. Stinging nettle (pictured) blooms with small white inflorescences, collected in spikelets. A characteristic feature is the lanceolate leaves 8–16 cm long, 2 to 8 cm wide.
Stinging nettle is a perennial, tall plant, reaching from 60 to 200 cm
Narrow-leaved
Urtica angustifolia is found in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. It grows in mixed forests, next to rocks, in wastelands, not far from residential buildings. This nettle (pictured) looks somewhat different than dioecious. The plant has oblong, lanceolate leaves 1–5 cm wide, 5–15 cm long, for which it got its name.
Narrow-leaved nettle is widespread in the mixed forests of Eastern Siberia
Flat-leaved
Urtica plathyphylla Wedd is a medium-sized plant with a height of 50 to 150 cm with narrow (4–10 cm) and rather long (5–20 cm) leaves. It belongs to the East Asian varieties - it is found in the Far East, including Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, as well as in Japan and China.
Flat-leaved nettle is a short plant with bright green leaves and brownish narrow stems
Hemp
This variety of Urtica cannabina grows everywhere in Russia, except for the regions of the Far North. It is often found in Mongolia, China and the countries of Central Asia. The grass is tall - 150–240 cm.The leaves are strongly dissected, serrated, petiolate, reaching 15 cm in length.
The cannabis variety is found even in desert, weedy places.
Kievskaya
Urtica kioviensis is represented by low grass (height from 80 to 120 cm) with lodging stems. Prefers well-moistened, boggy soils, often grows on the shores of water bodies. In Russia, it is found in the regions of the Black Earth Region. It grows everywhere in Ukraine, thanks to which it got its name, in the countries of the temperate climatic zone of Western and Eastern Europe.
A characteristic feature of the Kiev variety is ovoid light green leaves with jagged edges.
Gill-leaved
A less common type of Urtica geleopsifolia is a medium-sized herb (40–100 cm) with a rounded stem and large, lanceolate leaves. It differs in that the upper parts of the plates are elongated, and the edges have a sharp-serrated shape.
Many hairs of the Gill-leaved nettle do not emit "stinging" substances, therefore, after contact with them, there are no painful sensations
Ferocious
This species (Urtica ferox) is also called the nettle tree or ongaonga. Under natural conditions, it is found only in New Zealand (endemic). It reaches a height of 4–5 m. The plant causes very painful burns and is poisonous. In the literature, there are data on the death of one person, as well as several domestic animals, including horses and dogs, suffered from burns. The indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, used parts of the ongaong for food.
Nettle burns are very painful and can lead to death.
Distinctive features of different types of nettles
Different types of nettles differ in the height, shape and size of the leaves, as well as their ability to cause burns:
- Burning is the shortest grass that grows up to 35 cm.
- Dioecious - depending on climatic conditions, the height can be 60–100 and even 150–200 cm. The leaves are lanceolate, narrow.
- Narrow-leaved - the leaf plates are very elongated, the width can be only 1–2 cm, less often 4–5 cm, and the length is up to 15 cm.
- Flat-leaved is also distinguished by narrow leaves (average width 5–7 cm, length 10–20 cm).
- Hemp has characteristic strongly dissected leaf plates, the central shoot is higher than that of dioecious: up to 240 cm. It is undemanding to the composition of the soil, it is found even in abandoned wastelands.
- Kievskaya is distinguished by lodging stems and light green leaf plates.
- Gill-leaved - another undersized variety (40–70 cm, less often up to 100 cm). It differs in that it practically does not sting.
- Ferocious is a poisonous, deadly plant. It is not a grass, but a tree that reaches a height of 5 m. It does not occur on the territory of Russia.
What is the most useful nettle
Young nettles (collected from late March to mid-May) of the most common types are usually used for food:
- dioecious;
- burning;
- narrow-leaved;
- Kiev.
Foliage can be harvested at a later date. It is boiled in soups (no longer suitable for salads), dried and ground for seasoning or nettle tea (for medicinal purposes).
Young (May) nettle is also considered the most useful. The chemical composition is approximately the same:
- ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
- vitamins B and K;
- phytoncides;
- carotene;
- tannins;
- glycosides;
- gum;
- choline;
- starch;
- proteins;
- histamine;
- phenolic compounds;
- iron;
- manganese;
- titanium;
- nickel;
- boron;
- copper.
For medicinal purposes, nettle leaves are most often used.
The plant has a complex effect on the body:
- increases blood clotting;
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves appetite;
- rejuvenates cells;
- relieves pain in muscles and joints;
- cleans from accumulated toxins;
- normalizes the functioning of the nervous system;
- cleans blood vessels;
- lowers blood glucose levels.
Therefore, nettle leaves (mainly dioecious and stinging) are used both in folk and official medicine. The roots of this plant are also used for medicinal purposes.
It is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation, problems with blood clotting, chronic kidney disease, heart problems. If you experience any extraneous symptoms, you should immediately stop taking and consult your doctor.
What nettle is listed in the Red Book
Many species grow like weeds. Kiev nettle is included in the regional Red Book of the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions (status 3 - "rare"). The rest of the varieties are found in sufficient numbers, so they do not need protection.
Where is nettle used?
In Russia, 2 types are most often used - burning and dioecious, since they are the most common. They are used for different purposes:
- Cooking - for preparing first courses, salads, pies, sauces. Also, the leaves of the plant are salted and pickled. Dried raw materials are put into tea.
- Medicine - as a diuretic, vitamin, antiseptic, homeopathic, choleretic, expectorant.
- Cosmetology - for improving hair (including hair loss) and rejuvenating the skin of the face.
- Agriculture - fodder for livestock, spraying of plantings for pest control (aphids, powdery mildew).
- Textile industry: to obtain durable natural cheviot fabric (similar to woolen in properties).
The nettle dress has an eye-catching sheen
The magical properties of the plant
Different peoples have legends about the magical properties of nettles. It was used in various rituals, for example:
- Carried with them for courage.
- They put it in the shoes of the "bewitched" person so that the impure forces could not take him into their world.
- Brooms were made from stems and leaves, with which they swept the floor to protect the dwelling from evil spirits.
- For the same purposes, rugs were woven from the shoots and laid in front of the entrance.
- The evil spirits were driven out by fumigation of the house.
- The girls washed their hair with infusions from the leaves to attract the attention of the stronger sex.
Nettle is used as an amulet. The plucked leaves are placed in a bag made of natural fabric and carried with them to protect against intruders. Also, the plant is used in love spells.
Interesting facts about nettles
In Russia and other countries, nettle has been used for a very long time. And not only for medical and culinary purposes, but also for other purposes. Therefore, various sayings have been put together about the plant, for example: "to be found with another - what to sit in nettles"; "Evil seed nettle - do not brew beer out of it."
Nettle was used to sew sturdy sails and sacks, which were called "wrens". Interestingly, in Japan, even shields were made from strong plant stems, and a bowstring for bows was made from plant fibers.
Conclusion
Nettle is valued for its affordability, good taste, and beneficial properties. This plant is found everywhere. It is better to collect it in clean places, away from the road. If this is not possible, dried raw materials can always be purchased at a pharmacy at an affordable price.
