Family:- Urticaceae
Common name:- Nettle, Nettle sting etc.
Vernacular name:- Pusupuyu (Nyishi, Kurung Kumey)
General_information
Stinging nettle is a stout herbaceous plant, spreading rapidly by means of underground rhizomes and often forming dense patches, especially in rich soils. The stems can be 80 - 200 cm tall, all parts of the plant being clothed with stinging hairs. Originally it is native to Europe & also found in some part of Asia. One of the most undervalued of economic plants, nettle has a very wide range of uses, providing a nutritious food, effective medicines, an excellent fibre and many other commodities.
It is also grown widely in moist area, near riverside in some part of Arunachal Pradesh. It is believed that some ancestors of tribes from Arunachal Pradesh harvested it from the wild for local use, like clothing, fibre rope, basket etc in a traditional way.
poisonous_fact
The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin due to presence of chemical, histamine. This action is neutralized by heat or by thorough drying, so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys.
edible_uses
Chinese are very fond of this plant. Young leaves are cooked as a potherb and added to soups etc. They can also be dried for winter use. Nettles are a very valuable addition to the diet, they are a very nutritious food that is easily digested and is high in minerals (especially iron) and vitamins (especially A and C). Only use young leaves (see the notes above on toxicity) and wear stout gloves when harvesting them to prevent being stung. Cooking the leaves, or thoroughly drying them, neutralizes the sting, rendering the leaf safe to eat. The young shoots, harvested in the spring when 15 - 20 cm long complete with the underground stem are very nice. Old leaves can be laxative.
The plants are harvested commercially for extraction of the chlorophyll, which is used as a green colouring agent in foods and medicines. A tea is made from the dried leaves, it is warming on a winters day. A bland flavour, it can be added as a tonic to China tea. The juice of the leaves, or a decoction of the herb, can be used as a rennet substitute in curdling plant milks.
medicinal_uses
Nettles have a long history of use in the home as a herbal remedy and nutritious addition to the diet. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used as a cleansing tonic and blood purifier so the plant is often used in the treatment of hay fever, arthritis, anaemia etc.
Medical research said, the whole plant is antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactagogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and a stimulating tonic. An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding, it is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used to treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, hair problems etc.
The juice of the nettle can be used as an antidote to stings from the leaves and an infusion of the fresh leaves is healing and soothing as a lotion for burns. The root has been shown to have a beneficial effect upon enlarged prostate glands. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic gout, nettle rash and chickenpox, externally is applied to bruises.
#Other_Uses
A strong flax-like fibre is obtained from the stems. Used for making string and cloth. It also makes a good quality paper. A beautiful and permanent green dye is obtained from a decoction of the leaves and stems. A yellow dye is obtained from the root when boiled with alum. A hair wash is made from the infused leaves and this is used as a tonic and antidandruff treatment.
Note:- It's not advisable to use plant as medicinal purpose unless you know about it or take advice from the expert.
Photo sources:- Kimin, Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh.
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