Medicinal Monday - Stinging Nettle

The common stinging nettle plant is an annoyance, especially if you rub against it.   This pesky weed at first glance may seem insignificant, however,  it has been used for centuries as an important source of food, fiber, and medicinal aid -- and no one knew this better than Native Americans.   

Distinguishing Characteristics

Stinging Nettle originated in Europe and Asia and now grows in most parts of the United States.  This plant is a wild perennial that can grow up to four feet. Stinging Nettle often grows in groups and has bristly hair along the stem and on the underside of the leaves that have serrated edges. The sharp hairs on the stinging nettle break easily and can penetrate the skin, causing a "stinging sensation" that irritates it. The flowers of the stinging nettle plant are small fuzzy white flowers.  The leaves, roots, and stems are edible and the leaves are said to taste like spinach. Unless cooked or dried, the leaves retain their stinging hairs.

What Makes It Sting

There are several substances in the stinging nettle plant that cause irritation including histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, formic acid, tartaric acid and oxalic acid.  Scientists believe that this combination of chemicals enhances the stinging sensation that causes redness and swelling.

Medicinal Uses

Native American people knew how to eat this plant safely in salads by boiling the leaves in water; the Mohegans ate this plant with pigweed and dock greens.  A combination of boiled roots and leaves of the stinging nettle plant was also used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints and other skin ailments. The Cherokee used nettles for upset stomach, the Cree used it to keep blood flowing after childbirth, the Hesquiat rubbed the leaves on their body for aches and pains, the Paiute whipped leaves on their arms and legs for joint pain and the Makah rubbed the leaves on their bodies before a hunt for strength. 

In fishing, hunting, and seal hunting rituals in the Pacific Northwest, nettles would be rubbed on bodies during ceremonies to provide strength and to protect against the harsh climate. The Kawaiisu tribe of southern California used stinging nettles as a source of dream power.  Those wishing to have a medicine dream would be encouraged to walk through nettle plants so that the stings would prepare them for the dreams.

Native Americans also found practical uses for the nettle plant.  The fibers are strong and were used to make fishing nets, sacking, and strong ropes.

Did you know...Stinging Nettle... 

In ancient Egypt, nettle was used as an infusion to relieve arthritis.


Roman soldiers brought nettle plants to the British Isles to relieve their aching joints and painful legs. 


In Denmark, burial shrouds have been found that are made of nettle fabrics that date to the Bronze Age.


John Gerard in the 16th c. used the stinging nettle as an antidote for poison.

The fibers of the stinging nettle plant were used well into the 17th century in Scotland for fabric.

In WWI, the German Empire experienced a shortage of cotton so they used the fiber of the stinging nettle plant to make fabric.


Today, the nettle plant is still used as an herbal remedy to treat many ailments including joint pain.  It is rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, and protein.




 The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.



The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.