Nettle • Urtica
Weeds
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma; allergic conjunctivitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms.
Physical description: Greenish, erect plants with upright, fibrous stems that can grow 2-7 feet tall; stinging hairs cover stems.
Environmental factors: Found in damp, rich soil along roadsides, waste places, and wooded areas; wind-pollinated; pollen sheds as puffs, which may be mistaken for fungal spores.
Cross-reactivity: Members of the parietaria family of plants.
References
- “Nettle.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nettle
- “Nettle.”Pollen.com. https://www.pollen.com/research/genus/urtica
- “Stinging Nettle.” WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-664-stinging%20 nettle.aspx?activeingredientid=664&activeingredientname=stinging%20nettle
Did You Know?
Stinging nettle, true to its name, contains chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when touched by humans and animals. Its root is medicinally used to treat joint ailments and as a diuretic.
