A Literature Review on Urtica dioica: An Ordinary Creature with Extraordinary Features

Urtica dioica Linn is a popular medicinal plant that is native to Europe and is very commonly found in Temperate Asia, Western and Northern Africa, America and New Zealand. It is a traditional medicine used widely in various kind of treatment as was believed to be galactagogue – a substance that promotes lactation. It is well recognized in Ayurveda due to its multidimensional pharmacological and therapeutic effects as the compress of nettle help to revive Rheumatoid arthritis, Muscle pain, Sciatic and as Rasaan tonic as it constitutes various beneficial phytochemicals. It is popularly known for its stinging action. Its chemical compounds are highly irritating mainly histamine. Traditionally, the leaves and roots are used as a blood purifier, emmenagogue, nasal hemorrhage, eczema and diarrhea.