Water nettle leaf is the whole herb of the Urticaceae plant Boehmeria nivea. It grows in valleys, by streams, and in damp areas under trees. It has a mild bitter taste and a cooling effect. It is not toxic and has the functions of promoting diuresis, clearing heat, and reducing jaundice. Let's learn more about water nettle leaf below!
【Identification】
It is an annual herb, with no hairs on the whole plant, growing to a height of 30-60 centimeters. The leaves are opposite, ovate elliptic to ovate lanceolate, 7-12 centimeters long, about 4 centimeters wide, gradually pointed at the apex, wide-wedge-shaped at the base, with coarse serrations on the edges, and 3 main veins. The petiole is 2-7 centimeters long. The stipules are deciduous.
The umbellate inflorescence is loose, with white flowers, unisexual; the male flowers have 4 lobes, short and pointed, slightly inward curved at the apex, and 4 stamens; the female flowers have 3 or 4 lobes, unequal lobes, and the stigma is brush-like. The achene is covered by the persistent calyx. It flowers from August to September.
【Habitat and Distribution】
Water nettle leaf grows in valleys, by streams, and in damp areas under trees. It is distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan and other places.
【Medicinal Uses】
Water nettle leaf has a mild bitter taste, a cooling effect, and is non-toxic. It has the functions of promoting diuresis, clearing heat, and reducing jaundice.
【Prescription and Usage】
For the treatment of jaundice and yellowing all over the body: take 3 grams of fresh licorice root, 5 grams of willow bark, 3 grams of yellow gardenia, 3 grams of yellow bubble thistle root, and 2.5 grams of maple root. Add a little brown sugar, decoct it in water, and take it twice a day.
For the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis: take 30 grams of licorice root, soak it in alcohol, and drink an appropriate amount.
For the treatment of bruises and injuries: boil water nettle leaf with moneywort, red bullweed, and sorrel grass, and take it with alcohol.
For the treatment of measles in children: boil water nettle leaf, xiehe willow, and red bull leather grass, and take it with water.
For the treatment of abdominal masses: boil water nettle leaf, vortical grass, cowtail grass, horsewhip grass, and liu jinu together with chicken, and take it orally.
