Plant · P-974

Roman Nettle

Urtica pilulifera

Roman nettle is a stinging annual nettle of the Mediterranean and temperate Asia and Africa, grown as a fast one-season source of a strong flax-like bast fibre from its stems, used for string, cloth and papermaking, and for a green dye from the leaves and stems and a yellow dye from the roots. Its young leaves are cooked as a spinach-like potherb or brewed into nettle beer and are high in vitamins and minerals, but older leaves accumulate cystoliths that irritate the kidneys, so only young growth is eaten, and the raw foliage stings on contact through the season - heat cooking or drying neutralises it. Traditionally taken as a tonic and blood purifier for anaemia, arthritis, eczema and heavy menstrual bleeding. It needs full sun and will not grow in shade, tolerates soil from sand to clay, and wants steady moisture through its single growing season.