Description：
Urtica dioica is a native British perennial that thrives in damp forests or in areas where the land has been disturbed by humans. It has a richly-branched yellow rhizome that spreads over large areas, and from this rhizome grow numerous erect, quadrangular stems. These stems can reach up to 120cm tall and are covered with long stinging hairs and short bristly hairs. The leaves, which are opposite and stalked, are cordate or lanceolate in shape with serrated margins and stinging hairs on both sides.
The flowers of Urtica dioica are unisexual, with the plants being dioecious, although monoecious ones do occur. The flowers are arranged in drooping panicles and grow in groups from the upper leaf axils. The male inflorescences are erect and shortly branched, with four perianth segments and four stamens. The female flowers have two perianth segments and a superior ovary with a stalkless stigma. The fruit of Urtica dioica is an achene.
Function & Application:
1. It can be used as a medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as high blood pressure, dyspepsia, constipation and rheumatoid arthritis;
2. It is used as a diuretic, astringent, hemostatic, expectorant and emmenagogue, and for the treatment of arthritis, chronic skin diseases and so on;
3. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, so it can be used in the treatment of allergic diseases and skin inflammation;
4. In the cosmetic industry, nettle extract is used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to improve skin conditions, such as reducing the production of scar tissue and promoting skin cell regeneration.
