Nettle – Traditional uses in folk medicine

Traditional uses in folk medicine:

• Very important in Romanian spring cuisine: nettle purée (“piure de urzici”) is a traditional seasonal dish.
• Used as a spring detoxifying remedy and for treating anemia due to its iron content.
• Nettle tea is used as a diuretic and for urinary tract health.
• In rural, nettle fibers were historically used to make textiles.

Unusual, traditional folk uses:

• Fresh nettle was traditionally applied externally for rheumatic pain (urtication therapy): stinging the skin to stimulate circulation and relieve rheumatism
• Planted around homes as a protective barrier against evil spirits