The Common Nettle is a pronouncedly valuable wild plant with regard to ecological and medicinal aspects. Its leaves are rich in silicates, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium, as well as vitamins A and C. Hence, it has already become an important medicinal plant and edible wild plant centuries ago.
In Northern and Eastern Europe, the traditional dish stinging nettle soup is known up to now and the fresh leaves are rediscovered as leaf spinach, salad addition, and leaf vegetable for pestos and puree. As soon as the leaves are processed mechanically, they lose their burning and stinging features, which are caused by the stinging nettle juice and the leaf hairs. Stinging nettle can be kneaded, rolled with the rolling pin, dried, watered, or also boiled to make the stinging hair harmless. Out of the seeds of the stinging nettle, a very valuable oil, which can be used in the kitchen as well as in medicine, can be gained.
It's also the fresh leaves and the roots that are used in medicine and cosmetics. The plant parts have a diuretic effect and, therefore, often go into action against bladder problems. The stinging nettle is also used for the relief of rheumatic complaints. Stinging nettle tea is a common remedy in folk medicine. Stinging nettle shampoo might also be well-known to many.
Gardeners know the stinging nettle as a plant fortifier for the infestation with sucking pests and as an excellent organic fertilizer in the form of stinging nettle manure, which can be made easily. On top, it's a clear nitrogen indicator. Furthermore, the common nettle is one of the most important food plants for butterfly caterpillars. The peacock butterfly and the small tortoiseshell nearly exclusively subsist on it during their caterpillar stage.
The stinging nettle is currently experiencing a revival as a fibre plant. As such, it has already been very significant in the 18th century as it provides good fibres for the production of firm fabrics. Indeed, meanwhile, there's professional cultivation for this purpose again. With that variety of potential uses, its image as weed should immediately vanish into thin air.
