Stinging nettle (Urtíca dióica) The work was carried out by Kozlova L.K., primary school teacher at MAOU “Secondary School 119”, Perm. - presentation

Description of the plant

The description of nettle begins with a definition of the class and family to which it belongs. The plant can be annual or perennial, since the genus is represented by many varieties. The grass belongs to the Nettle family, Dicotyledonous class. From Latin, the name translates as “burn,” because when you touch the skin, small or large red rashes remain on it, as well as blisters in people with hypersensitivity.

The height of the plant varies between 50-200 cm - it depends on the climate, location and other features. The stem of the grass is straight with fairly large leaves of regular shape, having peculiar teeth. It doesn't matter where the nettle grows, as it almost always has the same appearance and only differs in height.

The pungency of nettle is explained by the presence of small hairs over the entire surface of the leaves, which contain formic and oxalic acids, as well as histamine and serotonin. It is due to the combination of these components that the skin burns when touched and damages the hairs.

This plant is distributed everywhere. It can be found in any part of Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries. In addition, nettle is found in China, Africa, Central Asia, and Australia. It was specially brought to the latter countries by humans, and today it grows and spreads freely. In most cases, the grass is found in fields, forests and near bodies of water.

The flowers of the plant are small, they can be unisexual or bisexual. Women's in most cases have peculiar needles that are visible upon close examination. The fruits of the grass also have the appearance of unusual convex green flowers. If you bring them closer, you will notice that these are not petals, but ordinary seeds attached to each other. Thanks to these seeds, the grass is able to reproduce and spread over large areas.

The coloring of the leaves of the plant is always green, but the shades may vary. Some varieties have pale leaves, others stand out with their rich and bright colors among other plants. In this case, the hair on the surface is almost colorless or whitish.

Fairy tale “Once upon a time there was a nettle”

Svetlana Zavarukhina

Fairy tale “Once upon a time there was a nettle”

Once upon a time there was a nettle

Once upon a time there lived a nettle . She lived quietly and modestly , not disturbing anyone, right next to the river. She really enjoyed spending hours admiring how one wave overtook another. After a boat or a motor ship passes along the river. She also liked to watch the children from the neighboring village splashing in the river in the summer. Nettle liked that with their appearance on the river it became fun and noisy. She knew all the guys and even remembered their names. Nettle was very worried if one of them did not appear on the river for a long time. It seemed to her that something had happened to them. Then she tilted her panicle with flowers down and, looking at the ground, talked about what could happen to them. Her thoughts always ended with the same thing: “The baby has a cold or he was simply not allowed to go for a walk.”

.She thought like this: “They spend a lot of time in the water, and sometimes it can be so cold that even standing on the shore it can be cold.
Especially for children who gurgle in it for hours, even more so. But why aren’t they allowed to go to the river yet? She heard from the guys how they said that none of them would be there today, since he “DID NOT LET GO.”
Nettle really wanted to know how these guys lived there in the village. What do they do, and she especially wanted to know about what they do in winter? After all, as you know, all plants remain under the snow in winter, they sleep. Nettle is also a plant and in winter it also sleeps. Thus reasoning and admiring the world around her, the nettle stood until the first snow. Then she fell asleep and slept the whole winter. As soon as the first rays of the sun warmed the earth, the nettle came to life and began to grow . Its first sprouts were dark green in color, and some were even brown. The nettle was so happy about the sun that its sprouts began to grow faster and faster. She could already imagine how soon the guys she knew would come running to the river, and she would again live surrounded by their joyful cries. She could not even imagine that she might simply not see all this. One day that's exactly what happened. The nettle stood and basked in the May sunshine. Suddenly she heard someone come up to her and begin to touch her leaves. Then she heard an old man whisper: “Good nettle , juicy, soft. I think I'll pluck this whole bush. I’ll leave a little for the bath and add a broom. It’s good to steam with such a broom, your back won’t hurt. I'll leave a little for tea. I’ll dry it and drink tea with “ nettles ”

vitamins.
Everyone has long known that May nettle is the most beneficial . I’ll also leave it for my granddaughter Alyonka. She loves to rinse her hair in nettle water. I'll leave a little more for the cabbage soup. Our whole family really loves to sip on nettle cabbage soup .” So talking to herself, the old granny tore off the entire bush and moved on. Nettle should have been very upset that she would never have to admire the river, but that was not the case.
All this time she only thought: “My dream has finally come true. Now they will take me to the village, and I will find out how the guys I know live in the village, what they do.” Behind her thoughts, she didn’t even notice that she would now be divided into several bundles, that each of them was already destined for its own path in life. For some it will soon be interrupted, and for others it will last a little longer. She wasn't interested in any of this. “After all, despite the fact that it burns,” she thought, “It’s not her fault, nature protects it with these thorns, so that it doesn’t just get torn, because it is very useful and can be useful to people.” By lunchtime, granny and nettle were in the village . The nettles were hung with their leaves down. Granny said that it would dry faster this way. She also said that if you dry it in the shade, where there is a draft, it will dry even faster, will not lose color and will retain its value.

Nettle was very upset that here, in the shadows, she would not see or recognize anything. Then the door opened and a girl appeared on the threshold. Nettle recognized her immediately . It was Alyonka. Nettle often saw her by the river. This girl often came up to her, picked the flowers growing nearby, but never touched her. Alyonka wove very beautiful wreaths from flowers. Nettle always admired them. “So this is the kind of Alyonka grandma was talking about,” thought the nettle, “Well , let her wash her hair in my broth.” Let her have them even more magnificent and longer, and I will help her with this. It’s a pity that I won’t see the river anymore, I won’t hear the voices of the guys, but it’s so great to know that someone needs you, that you can do something pleasant and useful for your almost friend. Yes, yes to a friend. After all, I’ve known Alyonka for a long time. So be it".

So thinking about her life, which turned out to be not so useless, the nettle did not notice how its leaves dried up. It turns out that sometimes it is enough to be needed at least once, but this moment will be the most important for you. You are not alone.

Main varieties

Today, experts identify about 50 different types of nettle. However, in the CIS countries the following are most often found:

1. Stinging nettle (common) is considered the most useful and widespread species. It is found in the tropics and shady forests, as well as in the steppe zone in small numbers, along fences in people's yards, in meadows. It has a developed root system, reaches a height of 170 cm. It has many medicinal properties and is actively used in folk medicine.
2. Stinging nettle is widespread in Germany, Poland, Russia, and Romania. This is an annual plant with a rather massive stem reaching a height of 50 cm. The leaves of the plant have a classic shape and size. Usually a person cannot distinguish this type of grass from stinging nettle.
3. The Kiev variety of nettle is found in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and some other countries. It is listed in the Red Book, is considered a cultivated plant, prefers to grow on the banks of rivers, lakes, and in wetlands. Refers to perennial herbs.
4. Flat-leaved nettle grows in Japan, China, and the Far East. Its leaves are wider and larger than those of other species. The plant reaches a height of 150 cm and has a short root.
5. Narrow-leaved nettle can be recognized by its elongated and small leaves. The plant is perennial, common in many regions of Russia and other countries.
6. Hemp nettle has a rather peculiar appearance, reminiscent of the well-known hemp. Its leaves are narrow and small; the grass can be distinguished by close examination or touch, since it burns similarly to other varieties.
7. Clary nettle (white nettle) is different from other species. It has regular-shaped leaves, as well as beautiful small white flowers, which are an excellent honey plant. The plant is considered medicinal and is used to prepare medicinal compounds. Another feature of the species is the absence of stinging hairs on the surface of the leaves.

The world around us is rich in various types of nettles with excellent characteristics. Most of them are used as raw materials for the preparation of medicines. However, many varieties are considered weeds.

Option 2

Some plants have various protective devices that protect them from predators or help them hunt insects. These plants include nettle. What weapons does the nettle have against other animals and what is it?

Belongs to the class Dicotyledons. The main uniqueness of this plant is the hairs located on the edges of the leaves. These hairs are saturated with formic acid, choline and histamine. When a person touches the plant, this mixture is injected into the body and causes burning pain. But there is one point. There are nettles that do not sting with such pain, but there are also species that can kill a person with one touch.

Nettle grows where the climate is temperate. Nettle can be either monoecious and annual, or dioecious and perennial. The leaves are opposite, whole, with jagged edges. The flower is usually staminate. The perianth is four-membered, the lobes do not change. The same pistillate plants have 2 external and 2 internal lobes that can change. There are 4 stamens. The fruit is a compressed nut. The ovary is superior, with one ovule. The stigma is either sessile or on a small column. There are 53 species in the world.

The most important uses of stinging herb are in cooking, pickling and medicine. The use of nettle in healing is varied. For example, hair care. You can also rub nettle on your body. Also a great use. In Rus', nettles were used to make sails and bags. In Japan, nettle was a component of samurai armor. Nettle is also used in gardening. Nettle can be used to make a harmless green dye.

Amazing facts about nettles.

1) Some species of butterflies feed on nettles, and this is one of their favorite delicacies.

2) The chemical composition of the leaves, in addition to the substances already listed, includes vitamins C, B and K, and in huge quantities. Tannins and protein substances were also found in nettle.

3) You can keep foods that quickly spoil in nettles.

4) In England, people know how to make wine from nettles. For 1 liter of such a drink, about 13 kilograms of leaves are required.

5) In one village, a nettle eating championship has been taking place for the twentieth year, if not more. It all started when two residents entered into a bet over who could eat more leaves.

2nd, 3rd, 4th grade. The world

Composition and beneficial properties

Studying the plant under a microscope, as well as its study in the laboratory, made it possible to determine the composition, which explains the medicinal properties. Main valuable components:

• potassium, tocopherol, B vitamins;
• ascorbic acid, the amount of which is several times greater than in black currants;
• phytoncides, valuable glycosides;
• beta-carotene, healthy sugars and starch;
• tannins;
• iron, copper and nickel.

Thanks to such a rich composition, nettle is extremely beneficial for children, women and men, but only when used correctly. The plant has antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties.

It has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, stimulates metabolic processes, and normalizes the absorption of the most important substances in the body. The diuretic properties of nettle are also beneficial for the urinary system, as they prevent the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder.

The plant has a positive effect on the circulatory system, stimulates the formation of platelets and stops bleeding. In addition, nettle has long been used to stimulate potency in men and restore sexual desire. There is also a legend according to which decoctions and infusions based on the leaves were used by ancient healers to treat diseases of the female reproductive system.

Additionally, nettle-based products are often used to stimulate the immune system, restore strength and energy. They help cope with physical and mental stress, normalize sleep and psycho-emotional state.

Ancient beliefs

Since ancient times, nettle has been considered a powerful means of protecting the home from evil spirits. On the holiday of Ivan Kupala, the owners hung its branches throughout all the buildings in their yard.

Healers and healers used it in their work to prepare infusions and ointments, considering it effective in the treatment of various ailments, as well as as a means of increasing performance and potency in men. The favorable period for collecting and harvesting is from June 20 to July 20, as this is the time of maximum growth and power of the plant.

Application area

Decoctions, alcohol and water infusions, and ointments are prepared based on the leaves, stems, seeds, and small flowers of nettle. In addition, freshly squeezed juice or pulp from the leaves is used to speed up the healing of wounds and cracks. abrasions and cuts, trophic ulcers.

Depending on the disease, a specific recipe is chosen. Each is different and used for different conditions. Do not forget about the use of nettles in cooking. Its leaves are often used to prepare soups, borscht and other dishes. Only connoisseurs will be able to understand the taste of this plant.

Other parts of the herb are used in the production of cosmetics, household chemicals, and perfumes. However, nettle became most famous after the discovery of its medicinal properties. Man began to prepare healing remedies to eliminate the symptoms of certain diseases. The main indications for using the plant are the following:

1. weakened immunity, frequent colds and viral diseases;
2. tendency to bleed;
3. infertility in women and men, dysfunction of the reproductive system;
4. disorders of the digestive system;
5. kidney and bladder diseases;
6. oncological diseases;
7. dermatological pathologies accompanied by the appearance of rash and irritation;
8. trophic ulcers on the lower extremities, formed as a result of disorders of the vascular system;
9. heart and brain diseases;
10. arthritis, arthrosis, gout, rheumatism.

In addition, nettle has mucolytic properties, that is, it helps to liquefy and remove mucus from the bronchi and lungs. This allows it to be used for diseases of the respiratory system.

Possible contraindications

Despite the undeniable benefits, the cultivated plant can cause harm to the body if the patient does not take into account the contraindications for its use. The first and most important is considered to be a grass allergy. It can appear gradually or suddenly, leading to the appearance of a rash, irritation, and swelling of the mucous membranes of the larynx and pharynx.

There is information about the harmful effects of plant-based products on patients who have a tendency to increased blood clotting. It is contraindicated to use the herb for any acute diseases of the kidneys, liver, heart, or brain. It is allowed to start the course only after the acute symptoms disappear.

A small child may react negatively to nettle products, so its use is only allowed from 12 years of age. The period of pregnancy and lactation will also be a contraindication for use. The condition of the patient’s body plays an important role. For each of them, the dosage and course are different, otherwise complications cannot be avoided.

Diseases of internal organs that are accompanied by bleeding and require urgent surgical intervention are also considered a contraindication for the use of nettle for medicinal purposes. The decision to use medicinal herbs is made only by a doctor.

Presentation “Medicinal plants. Nettle."

Slide 1

Medicinal plants. Work of 2nd grade student of the Municipal Budgetary Educational Institution "Almalinskaya Secondary School" Varkova E. Krapiva

Slide 2

Goal: To get acquainted with the beneficial properties of nettle.

Slide 3

There are a great many medicinal plants on the planet, but perhaps one can be called a real leader that has received universal recognition - nettle. This is a truly unique herb, in which areas of life it is not used by humans. So, in the past, bast fibers obtained from nettles were used to make threads, ropes, fishing nets, and also made very durable fabrics. In Eastern countries, nettle is used as a material for making high-grade paper. Nettle roots treated with alum solution are used to produce yellow paint, and leaves and stems - green. Nettle was also widely used in magical rituals. It was believed that evil spirits were afraid of her. By the way, children were flogged with nettles not so much to cause pain, but to drive out evil spirits, which, according to legend, inhabited the disobedient. Rugs woven from this plant protected the house from uninvited guests and other evil. By standing on such a rug, a sorcerer or witch was temporarily deprived of their dark power. What are the benefits of nettle?

Slide 4

stinging nettle is a perennial herbaceous plant with powerful roots and long horizontal branched rhizomes, reaching a height of 60-200 cm (under ideal climatic conditions and with high density and height of plants at the place of growth). The entire plant is densely covered with stinging hairs. The shoot is elongated. The stem of stinging nettle is hollow, herbaceous in consistency, and erect or ascending in position in space. The surface is covered with simple and stinging hairs. Variety of nettle species.

Slide 5

Ramie - Chinese nettle Chinese nettle, white ramie (English ramie), snow-white boehmeria (lat. Boehmeria nivea) is a species of plants from the nettle family. This plant is native to East Asia. Ramie fiber has good strength (see Table 1) and is practically not subject to rotting; These properties make it possible to use ramie for making ropes. In the past, ramie fiber was used to make canvas, the strongest fabric. In addition to being durable, ramie fiber fabric is beautiful, it has a natural, silk-like shine and is easily dyed without losing its silkiness. Currently used in the production of expensive fabrics. Ramie fibers are also used to make expensive types of paper, used, for example, for printing banknotes.

Slide 6

Who among us is not familiar with nettle, who has not experienced its stinging properties? There are several varieties of nettles in the world, and not all of them have stinging hairs. However, most of us have been burned at least once in our lives by touching this plant. Among those species that sting, the most common is the common nettle. The stinging effect of nettle is very similar in mechanism to the action of stinging cells located on the tentacles of jellyfish. Inside these cells there are thin, unusually sharp stings, curled into rings and straightened at the slightest touch. If you lightly touch such a ball, it immediately breaks and a sharp needle digs into the skin. The caustic acid contained inside the sting causes irritation and sometimes, in especially severe cases, burns on the skin. But if you carefully grasp the nettle stem so that the hairs are pressed against it, then they will not be able to cause you any harm. Why do nettles sting?

Slide 7

Medicinal properties. Nettle is extremely useful and healing. Water infusion and decoction of fresh or dried nettle leaves are widely used in natural medicine in many countries around the world. It has been established that nettle increases the percentage of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells in the blood. This confirms the old belief that it is a good “blood purifier” and therefore extremely useful for a wide variety of blood diseases. Modern medicine agrees with this and also widely uses nettle for medicinal purposes - both an infusion of roots and an infusion of flowers. They are useful in treating cough and heart pain. Nettle is also an excellent cosmetic product. Nettle decoction is used to strengthen and enhance hair growth. A mask made from young nettle is useful for any skin. The leaves are washed and passed through a meat grinder or finely chopped in another way. Moisten gauze or a clean cloth in the resulting juice and apply it to the face. The skin receives vitamin A from this mask, which is very abundant in young nettles. In the spring, when there are still no fresh vegetables, and the body is in particular need of vitamins, young nettle leaves can serve as a valuable aid in nutrition.

Slide 8

In many countries, nettle is widely consumed as food. It is believed that the nutritional value of nettle leaves is not inferior to green peas, beans, and beans. And the borscht made from young stems and leaves turns out excellent, no worse than with cabbage. The stems are also salted and pickled. Nettle is also dried and turned into powder, which does not lose its beneficial properties for two years. This powder is added to soups, purees and other dishes. In Scandinavia and Poland, in the northern regions of Germany, young nettle leaves are used to prepare a kind of puree for meat dishes. Freshly picked greens are passed through a meat grinder, then sunflower oil, salt, finely chopped onions, allspice and hard-boiled chopped eggs are added. The resulting puree can be used as side dishes, seasonings, and as a salad - fresh.

Slide 9

Recipe for making Lenten nettle soup. Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes and add them to boiling water and cook. We sort out the nettles, wash them, scald them with boiling water, and finely chop them. I lightly fry the nettles (2 minutes) in sunflower oil (or with flour) before adding it to boiling water. Add the prepared nettle to the boiling potatoes 7-10 minutes before the potatoes are ready. Fry onions and carrots in a frying pan. At the end of cooking, add lightly fried onions and carrots in oil, bay leaf, and spices. And also a spoonful of flour diluted in half a glass of water. And boil over low heat for 3-5 minutes. The ratio of nettles and potatoes, carrot and onion spices, salt, water is taken in the same way as for preparing ordinary cabbage soup and according to your taste. Ready-made soup with nettles (also called nettle cabbage soup) can also be decorated with an egg cut in half (pre-boiled) and added sour cream or cream, or mayonnaise. Healthy dishes made from nettles.

Slide 10

for cooking we need approximately: 500 g of meat, 500 g of nettle, 200 g of sorrel, 1 piece of roots, 1 onion, 1 tbsp. l. flour, 2 tbsp. spoons of butter. Sort the nettles thoroughly, rinse well under running water, cook in boiling water until soft (3-5 minutes), discard and rub through a sieve. Sort the sorrel, wash it, cut the leaves. Finely chop the roots and onions and fry in vegetable oil, add flour to them and continue frying for another 1-2 minutes. Combine the resulting dressing with pureed nettles and add to the pan with the prepared meat broth. Pour in the decoction obtained from boiling nettles. Add bay leaf, peppercorns and cook for 10 minutes. 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking, add sorrel leaves and salt. When serving, you can add sour cream and a hard-boiled egg to the cabbage soup to taste. A very tasty dish made from young nettles is spring nettle soup. Green cabbage soup with nettle and sorrel.

Slide 11

Conclusion: I learned that nettle is not only a weed that everyone tries to “drive away” from their garden, but a very useful plant.

Interesting Facts

A short story about the plant helps to understand why it burns the skin. The reason for this effect is the hairs on the surface of the leaves containing irritating substances. The most interesting facts about nettles:

1. Burns received from nettles are quite harmless; they disappear after a few hours without a trace.
2. In hot weather, residents of some countries use nettle to preserve the freshness of meat and fish.
3. Nettle is unpretentious to environmental conditions, therefore it is found in most countries of the world.
4. In some countries (for example, England), the leaves of the plant are used to make special wine.
5. Several centuries ago, people believed that this herb was the creation of Perun, who was the patron of the fire element. It was never torn off by hand; only a sharp knife was used.

Nettle is a unique medicinal plant, common in different countries. When used correctly, you can get only benefits from products based on it and cure various diseases, replenish strength and energy.

general information

Belongs to the genus of flowering plants, which includes more than 50 species. It grows in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the most common are 2 species - dioecious and stinging.

In ancient Rus', among the main names were such as hollow, fire-grass, green boiling water, witch's whip and badger root.

The concept of pungency

In order to protect against animals, whose diet is based on plant foods, stinging hairs are placed on the surface of the leaves and the stem itself. Each such process is a cell in the form of an ampoule, the tip of which contains silicon salts. The weakest and slightest pressure on it leads to a break and penetration of the tip with the juice it contains under the skin of the mammal. This fluid consists of formic acid, histamine and choline; upon contact, a sensation of “burn” instantly appears.

Typically, such skin lesions are harmless and resolve over time, but there are species that can be fatal when contacted, such as the nettle tree in New Zealand.