It grows on weedy places, meadows, in villages, floodplain forests, along river banks, among shrubs, along swamps, ravines.
In medical practice, infusion and liquid extract of nettle leaves are used inside of uterine bleeding, menstrual cycle disorders in menopause and hemorrhoidal hemorrhages. External preparations of nettle are used for the treatment of varicose ulcers, inside with hypo and avitaminosis. Often liquid extract of nettle is used for renal, pulmonary and intestinal bleeding in its pure form, as well as in a mixture with yarrow extract. Preparations of nettle dandruff increase the coagulability of blood, increase the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin, have pronounced vasoconstrictor and tonic smooth muscle of the uterus. Chlorophyll, isolated from nettle leaves, has a stimulating and tonic effect, increases metabolism in the body, increases the tone of the cardiovascular system, respiratory center, intestines, uterus, granulation and epithelization of affected tissues.
The cut nettle leaf is a part of the gastric, multivitamin and laxative collections. Abroad, the preparation of nettle "Dioik" is used as a means for hair rationing. For the same purpose it is possible to prepare infusion from the leaves of dry nettle at the rate of 1 tablespoon of leaves per 1 glass of water. The resulting infusion moisten the head after washing and lightly rub it into the skin. A similar procedure is repeated after 1 to 2 weeks for a long time.
Leaves of nettle have phytoncidal activity. They were used by Russian doctors as far back as the 17th century. The leaves were applied fresh in case of purulent ulcers and fistula. When osteomyelitis was recommended to pour the juice of nettle into the fistula along with the juice of other plants. Juice was also prescribed as a wound healing and hemostatic agent in other cases.
In folk medicine, the leaves of nettle nettle are used in a variety of diseases as a hemostatic, diuretic, antiplatelet, wound-healing agent, etc. People use not only nettle leaves, but also rhizomes, stems and seeds. For example, sugared rhizomes are used as an expectorant, and young leafy shoots - as opposed to rheumatism.
Nettle is widely used for food. In the countries of Transcaucasia, it is a part of national dishes. Thanks to the presence of vitamins, chlorophyll and especially protein, nettles can serve as a food plant and used for the preparation of borscht, soups, etc. In addition, it is an excellent forage plant and can be used for ensiling, but lactic acid must be added to it, since, due to the high content of alkaline substances without lactic acid, it simply rot. Nettle stems are used to produce fibers that can be used to make burlap and other rough fabrics.
Nettle is the main source for the production of chlorophyll, which is used not only in medicine, but also in confectionery as a neutral food paint. Nettle leaves and the whole plant are widely used in Tibetan medicine. The essence of a fresh plant is used in homeopathy.
