Urtica dioica, also known as the Stinging Nettle, grows wildly throughout the temperate world.
It has long been used in traditional herbal medicine, commonly brewed in tea to obtain a high extraction of minerals, particularly magnesium.
Historically, the leaves were used in a hair tonic and to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and itchy skin from eczema.
Nettle leaf extracts have been found to contain high levels of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and several flavonoids.
Many in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities,
with recent studies reporting anti-ageing effects through the inhibition of elastase and collagenase enzymes.