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Review
. 2022 Jun 22;8(6):e09717.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09717. eCollection 2022 Jun.

Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review

Khuma Kumari Bhusal  1 , Saraddha Khasu Magar  1 , Ronika Thapa  1 , Ashish Lamsal  1 , Sagar Bhandari  2 , Rashmi Maharjan  3 , Sami Shrestha  4 , Jiban Shrestha  5
Affiliations
Review

Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review

Khuma Kumari Bhusal et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a wild herbaceous perennial blooming plant that is commonly known as stinging nettle. It's a common, multi-purpose crop that's sometimes overlooked. Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America are all home to stinging nettle. It is a plant that's edible and has nutritional and medicinal properties. Young leaves can be used to make curries, herb soups, and sour soups. The root of the stinging nettle is used to treat mictional difficulties associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, while the leaves are used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, and allergic rhinitis. Its leaves are abundant in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidant compounds like polyphenols and carotenoids, as well as antioxidant compounds like polyphenols and carotenoids. Stinging nettle has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-infectious, hypotensive, and antiulcer characteristics, as well as the ability to prevent cardiovascular disease, in all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, and seeds). Stinging nettle improves fish reproductive performance, making it a cost-effective aquaculture plant. Fertilizer and insecticides can be made from the plants. This review examines the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of stinging nettle, as well as its possible health advantages. Scientists, farmers, and academicians interested in stinging nettle collecting, cultivation, research, and development would find this review useful.

Keywords: Health; Pharmacological property; Phytochemicals; Stinging nettle.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Health benefits of stinging nettle.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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