Abstract
Urtica urens is a homeopathic remedy deployed predominantly for kidney stones and gout, conditions associated with uric acid diathesis. It serves efficiently to cure hives, especially those associated with allergies or rheumatism, including reactions to bee stings and shellfish. It suits individuals who are irritable, restless, and experience symptoms that aggravate with cold air or water but ameliorate with rest.The remedy also facilitates the production of breast milk, treats spleen abnormalities, and relieves yearly recurrent symptoms. It is well known to lessen angio-neurotic edema, excessive mucus flow, and bedwetting. It also addresses symptoms such as diarrhea, neuritis, headache with spleen pain, and rheumatic pain, particularly in the right deltoid.
Key words
uric acid diathesis, aggravate, ameliorate, recurrent symptoms
Introduction
SOURCE INFORMATION
- Common name: Stinging-Nettle
- Prover: Burnett
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Family: Urticaceae
- Genus: Urtica
- Species: Urtica urens
Origin
Native to Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America, stinging nettle (Urtica urens) is a perennial herbaceous plant that flourishes optimally in temperate areas, especially in fields, meadows, and along riverbanks. This plant, which is renowned for its stinging hairs which emit an abrupt tingling sensation when touched, has long been used in traditional medicine. It has been utilized to alleviate conditions like allergies, urinary problems, and arthritis. Stinging nettle, which is abundant in vital vitamins and minerals, is also used in culinary customs. It undergoes cooking in order to eradicate the sting and turn it into a healthy green vegetable.
Historical facts
With a long and illustrious history, Urtica Urens has been used for many different things. It has been documented in historical literature, such as the works of Greek physician and pharmacologist Dioscorides, who extolled the virtues of its therapeutic properties.Various civilizations have used Urtica Urens for ages due to its medicinal qualities, seeing it as an important herb for healing and purification.The plant has also been employed as a food source; in many culinary traditions, the young leaves are eaten as a healthy vegetable.
Purview of Urtica Urens in Homoeopathy
Generalities
Stinging Nettle is aptly named for its ability to produce a stinging or burning sensation upon contact. This plant influences several bodily systems and conditions:
- Affected Systems
– Mammary Glands: It has an impact on the milk-producing glands.
– Genito-Urinary Organs: It affects the organs involved in reproduction and urination.
– Liver and Spleen: Stinging nettle influences the liver and spleen functions.
- Associated Symptoms and Conditions:
– Urinous Odour: It can cause a noticeable urine-like odor in the body, potentially linked to metabolic disorders.
– Uric Acid Diathesis: It is associated with a tendency to develop conditions related to excessive uric acid, such as gout.
– Urticaria: Known to be associated with hives, which may occur alongside or alternate with rheumatic conditions.
– Hemorrhages: The herb is related to conditions involving abnormal bleeding.
- Applications:
– Burns: It is used to mitigate the effects of burns.
– Bee Stings: Stinging nettle can treat the effects of bee stings.
– Shellfish Reactions: It may address adverse reactions from consuming shellfish.
– Suppressed Milk: The herb can assist in cases of diminished milk production in nursing mothers.
– Angio-Neurotic Edema: It is connected to this type of swelling caused by blood vessel reactions.
Particulars:
Head:
Vertigo and headaches with stitches in the spleen.
Abdomen:
Chronic diarrhea with significant mucus secretion; vomiting from suppressed hives; intense itching of the anus due to pinworms.
Urinary:
Acrid urine causes itching, uric acid toxicity, and suppressed urine output.
Male: Persistent itching and burning of the scrotum, causing sleeplessness and swelling.
Female:
Milk Production: Reduced milk secretion postpartum and excessive breast swelling. Arrest of milk flow after weaning.
Reproductive Issues: Uterine hemorrhage, acidic and excoriating leucorrhea, pruritus vulvae with stinging, itching, and edema.
Respiratory:
Haemoptysis after intense exertion.
Extremities:
Acute gout pain in the deltoid, ankles, and wrists.
Skin:
Itchy, raised red blotches, urticaria with burning and formication, severe itching, and vesicular eruptions. Includes conditions such as suppressed nettle rash, rheumatism alternating with urticaria, burns and scalds, chickenpox, angioneurotic edema, herpes labialis with heat and itching, and itching and stinging of the scrotum.
Fever:
General heat with abdominal soreness, gout-related fever, and tropical fever.
Conclusion
In broad strokes, Urtica Urens is an exceptionally versatile herb that has wide-ranging impacts on several body systems, such as the liver, spleen, genito-urinary organs, and mammary glands. It is important in treating disorders like urticaria, hypouric acidemia, and hemorrhage It can be used therapeutically to reduce burns, soothe bee stings, increase lactation in nursing mothers, and treat angio-neurotic edema. Furthermore, stinging nettle offers complete relief for a wide range of symptoms pertaining to the skin, limbs, and respiratory system, demonstrating its extensive use in both acute and long-term medical conditions.
Reference
- Robin Murphy,ND – Lotus Materia Medica, New Delhi, 3rd Indian Edition, B Jain Publishers,2010 ,pg no.1995
- S.R. Phatak – Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines, New Delhi ,Enlarged Edition: January 2017, Mayur Jain Indian books and periodic publishers, 2017, pg no. 839,840
- William Boericke- Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory,New Delhi, 9th edition, B Jain Publishers,2004, pg no. 661, 662