Parts used: 

• (young) leaves, roots, seed

Taste: 

• salty, slightly bitter

Affinities: 

• Blood
• Circulatory System
• Kidneys
• Adrenals
• Prostate (roots)
• Skin
• Tones the intestines, uterus and blood vessels

Actions: 

• Gently cleansing
• Alterative
  • As a diuretic, opens up elimination channels via kidneys and urinary tract
• Diuretic
• Nutritive
  • Cellular nourishment
  • Strengthens connective tissue
  • Assists in protein metabolism
    • Digestion and absorption of protein
    • Helps liver build blood proteins
• Blood Building and detoxifying
  • Due to rich mineral and nutrient content
• Astringent
  • For weakened tissues
• Rubefacient
  • Topical application stimulates blood flow and circulation
  • “Topical application of a plant where upon contact with an herb the tissues and skin are stimulated through an increase in blood flow and circulation”
• Inflammation Modulating
  • Chlorophyll cools and alkalizes tissues
• tropho-restorative
• “…reduces allergic reactions to proteins (here the freeze-dried herb is preferred) and eliminates mucus on membranes resulting from allergy.” (Earthwise Herbal Vol 1)

Energetics: 

• cool, drying

Specific Indications:

• Chronic skin conditions
• Low grade infections
• Dampness within the tissues
• Digestive stagnation
• Liver torpor (sluggish and inactive)
• Iron deficiency and anemia
  • Iron tonic during pregnancy
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Uterine bleeding and prolapse post childbirth
• High and low blood pressure
  • Helps liver build blood proteins which “help keep the plasma inside the blood vessels reducing edema and lowering blood pressure resulting from loss of plasma in the tissues” (Earthwise Herbal Vol 1)
• Internal bleeding
• puffy/swollen arthritis joints
  • Due to removal of proteinaceous waste products from the system
    • Supportive for gout, arthritis, muscular soreness, tissue acidity, kidney disease
• GI inflammation
• Excessive heat in cardiovascular system
• Inflammation in urinary tract
• Inflammation in womb
• Inflammation in prostate gland

Dosha(s):

Primary Clinical Patterns:

Physiological Side Effects:

Herb-Drug Interactions:

Constitutional/Energetic Aggravations/Warnings:

• avoid with kidney disease, on dialysis, with fluid retention due to congestive heart failure, may interfere with blood anticoagulants
• Root- sterols and lectins that may stimulate T-cell or precise immune response (Earthwise Herbal Vol 1)

Key Constituents, Solubility & Association with 5 Keys (Tastes, Affinities, Actions, Energetics & Psychological/Emotional/Spiritual/Esoteric Specific Indications) :

• Vitamins A,C,E & K, minerals (calcium, potassium, chromium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc) amino acids, chlorophyll, protein, dietary fiber, silicic acid

Mechanisms of Action:

• Tea (Infusion or Decoction)

• • Amount of Herb:

• • Amount of Water:

• • Instructions/Dosage:

• Tincture (fresh or dried)

• • Strength ratio (g:mL):

• • Percentage alcohol/glycerin: 

• • Dose/Frequency:

• Other

Formulation Strategies (pairs/triplets, include: percentage ratio, unique strategies):

Esoteric Significance:

• Planet:
  • Mars

• Element:
  • Fire

• Philosophical Principle: 

• Chakra(s):

• Zodiac Sign:
  • Aries

• Arcana:
  • Crone/Protector

Doctrine of Signatures:

• Grows in damp places indicating use for damp conditions in the bottom and work on water element through the kidneys and urinary tract (Evolutionary Herbalism)

Growing: 

Harvesting: 

Lore:

Ethnobotanical Uses:

• Fibers from stalks used to make cordage
• Nettle flogging used in Russian bath houses

Notes:

• Do not consume raw, has stinging hairs that will irritate needs to be fully dried or blanched
• “Nettles demand that we approach with intention, and they teach us how to demand the same presence and respect in our relationships.” – The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism, Karen M. Rose