Urtica. Urtica dioica.

Synonym—Nettle.

CONSTITUENTS—

Formic acid, or a substance closely allied to it, volatile oil, gum, starch, albumen, sugar, salts.

PREPARATIONS—

Specific Urtica. Dose, from one to ten minims.

Fluid Extract Urtica Dioica. Dose, from one to twenty minims.

Therapy—Urtica has been employed for the general purposes of an astringent, both internally and externally, in hemorrhages, ill-conditioned ulcers, and in chronic disease of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, bowels and urinary organs, and it is generally agreed to be an efficient remedy. It, however, appears to have a dynamic action, as in post-partum hemorrhage, suppression of the milk in nursing women, retrocedent eruptions, urticaria, jaundice, dropsy, ague and corpulency its influence in small doses is reliable.

The fresh leaves have been used as a powerful revulsive in lethargy, paralysis, intoxication, congestion of the brain, and hysterical insensibility.

From a half to one ounce of the expressed juice of the fresh plant has been given at intervals of a few hours without untoward results.

In the treatment of eczema which includes the face, head and scalp, one case was entirely cleansed and anointed with olive oil leaving the oil on until the crusts could be softened and removed. Specific urtica dioica was added, two drams to an ounce of rosewater, and applied freely over the parts. The cure was very prompt, especially when the condition of the stomach and intestinal tract was made normal.

This agent is also used when there is excessive mucous discharge from the bowels, a drop or two at a dose. Persistent watery diarrheas are controlled by it.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.