Nettles - Urtica dioica


Image listed at http://caliban.mpiz-koeln.mpg.de/~stueber/lindman/index.html

Image listed at
Kurt Stüber's Online Library
Actual Images from
Project Runeberg

Sources: 

Nettle Herb (International) Nettle Herb (US/Canada)

Organic Nettle Leaf (International) Organic Nettle Herb (US/Canada)

Nettle Leaf Powder (International)

Organic Nettle Leaf Powder (International) Organic Nettle Leaf Powder (US/Canada)

Latin Name: Urtica dioica
Family: Urticacea
Height: 90-180cm

When dried, nettles loose their sting. Nettle hay is a particularly valuable rabbit & cavy food, especially for convalescent stock. It must however be carefully dried and free from mould. As well as being high in protein and iron, nettles are said to be useful in cases of poor elimination such as eczema, rheumatism and arthritis.

Nettles have an extremely high calcium level and a good Ca:P ratio  Nettles are a good source of silica which can help keep the rabbit and guinea pig's fur and bones in good condition.

Constituents: Indoles including histamine and seratonin; formic acid; acetylcholine; chlorophyll; glucoquinine; iron, silica; potassium; vitamins A (15,700 IU per 100gm dried herb) & C (83 mg/100gm dried herb).

Actions: Astringent, diuretic, and tonic.

Nettles are included in the Galen's Garden's Hedgerow Herbs blend of 20 different herbs and wild plants.

Coarse dried nettle forage (English, Organic) is also available from Galen's Garden