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The Common Nettle

Urtica dioica L.

This plant can grows to a height of 1-1,5 meters. It has a singular, angular stem that holds serrated leaves. The whole plant is covered with stinging hairs containing formic acid which causes skin irritations. It blooms from April till October. The flowers are green, small and delicate, gathered in long, axillary inflorescence. Rhizomes spread widely underground and hibernate in such a form. In folk medicine nettle was used as an anti-haemorrhage remedy, a cure for anaemia, and a cure for treating a urinary tract conditions. In kitchen, the young nettle leaves were used for preparing tea, syrups, or eaten raw as an addition to cheese. The fibres that are long and strong were used for manufacturing fabric. Nettle was famous for its magical powers. Dry nettle burnt at the time of a storm was to prevent from a strike of the lighting. Both the households and the cattle were incensed with it so that they would be protected from evil. Flogging with nettle was said to bring enthusiasm to rich men’s lives. Young girls were whipped with it in order to bring good harvest. Nettle is a nitrophilic plant. Urea is a great source of nitrogen, hence in resettled villages this plant can be found in the places of the farms that perished, on fields and meadows that used to be fertilised with manure.