Are Nettles Native To Britain?

We have two native species of nettle in the British Isles, the common nettle Urtica dioica L. (Figure 1) which has two (some authorities list more) subspecies: ssp. dioica the widespread and often very abundant stinging nettle with which we are all familiar and ssp.

When did nettles come to UK?

2004
Nettles are interesting for their use in Roman medicine, and Urtica urens (small nettle) was introduced to Britain in the Late Bronze Age (Preston et al. 2004).

Did the Romans bring stinging nettles to Britain?

STINGING NETTLES
Nettles have a long history as a treatment for rheumatism and muscle pain like sciatica. The Romans are credited with bringing seeds of this plant with them into Britain; by flogging themselves with the plants, they apparently kept warm in the colder northern climate.

Where are nettles native to?

Hoary nettle is native to the western United States. It occurs from eastern Washington south through California to Mexico, east to northern Arizona and extreme northwestern Colorado, and north to western Wyoming and southwestern Montana [51]. ECOSYSTEMS : Stinging nettle probably occurs in most ecosystems.

Why do we have nettles in the UK?

They helped the Romans keep warm!
Roman soldiers allegedly used this effect to adapt to the colder, harsher climate of Britain – rubbing nettles on their arms and legs to help them keep warm.

Are stinging nettles invasive UK?

This week’s plant in our Wednesday Weed series is the stinging nettle. Fierce, invasive but full of goodness. In this weekly series, we take a quick look at common garden weeds. How they grow, what benefits they bring to the garden, and how to manage them.

What purpose do nettles have?

General Uses. Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).

What herbs did the Romans bring to Britain?

Foods introduced by the Romans to Britain
Amongst the many herbs that they introduced to Britain were rosemary, thyme, bay, basil and savoury mint. They also introduced herbs that were used in brewing and for medicinal purposes. The Romans also brought new farming practices and crops.

What are the health benefits of stinging nettle?

Here are 6 evidence-based benefits of stinging nettle.

• Contains Many Nutrients. Stinging nettle’s leaves and root provide a wide variety of nutrients, including (1):
• May Reduce Inflammation.
• May Treat Enlarged Prostate Symptoms.
• May Treat Hay Fever.
• May Lower Blood Pressure.
• May Aid Blood Sugar Control.

What did the Romans introduce to Britain?

The Romans also introduced staple foods such as apples, pears and peas to Britain.

What happens if you touch nettles?

Nettles are plants with sharp hairs on their leaves. If you touch them, these hairs inject irritants into the skin, making it itchy, red and swollen.

Are nettles invasive?

Because of its ability to spread vigorously from underground stolons, stinging nettle is considered an invasive species in much of North America—gardeners are more likely to fight it as a weed than to plant it intentionally.

Are nettles good for bees?

The dead nettle has bright orange pollen which give the foraging bees an orange stripe on thier heads. This weed is particularly useful to them as that pollen may be in short supply if there are few flowering trees in your area.

Do nettles sting if you eat them?

The sting relies on erect hairs to penetrate the skin and inject the stinging formic acid. When wilted strip the leaves off the stems. Like spinach, when cooked, nettles reduce to 1/4 the amount, so a supermarket bag full will be about 500g. Always cook nettles, which destroys the stinging formic acid.

Do nettles sting dogs?

Nettles can sting dogs’ paws leading to intense itching and chewing. Avoid walking through nettles. Again, this would be a time to use an antihistamine recommended by your vet. Some paw waxes might reduce stinging and soothe afterwards.

Are nettles good for the garden?

In the garden, nettle is indispensable as a fertilizer, insecticide, and compost activator. On the farm, nettle’s uses don’t just end there. The farm animals also benefit from all the goodness of nettle as well.

Are nettles good for wildlife?

Stinging nettles are great wildlife attractors: caterpillars of the small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies use them as foodplants; ladybirds feast on the aphids that shelter among them; and seed-eating birds enjoy their autumn spoils.

Are nettles good for soil?

Because it’s rich in nitrogen, this is particularly useful for leafy vegetables like kale, chard and spinach. You can also cut nettles to lay, as they are, around larger plants or shrubby fruits, where they will serve as a valuable mulch. Their high nitrogen content also makes them a natural compost activator.

How do I get rid of nettles UK?

Weedkiller control

1. Neglected areas can be cleared of established nettles by spraying them with a glyphosate-based weedkiller (such as Roundup Ultra or Doff Weedout Extra Tough Weedkiller) which should be applied as a spray in June, shortly before they flower.
2. A second application may be necessary in September.

Can you eat nettles raw?

You might think that nettles would be difficult to eat raw, but actually they are fine. You can pop them into smoothies, juice them, or ferment them (I’m planning on making a lovely non-alcoholic water kefir nettle beer with my next batch). Nettles add a lovely mild flavour to any dish.

Who should not drink nettle tea?

Pregnant people
Interactions. Pregnant people should not take nettle or drink nettle tea. Due to a lack of research, children under the age of 12 years should also avoid nettle. It is important that people with existing conditions and those who take certain medications speak with a healthcare professional before trying nettle.