Medicinal Value of Stinging Neetle: An Experimental Approach

Medicinal plants continue to act as a repository for novel drug leads with novel mechanism of action. There is an increasing interest in using medicinal and aromatic plants as natural sources in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmetic industries all over the world. However, increase in popularity and scarcity of scientific studies on their safety has raised concern regarding toxicity of herbal remedies. This book reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry, phytopharmacology and toxicological evaluation, supported by experimental evidences, of the stinging neetle, a medicinal herb used to treat diverse conditions in folk medicine. The intended reader of the book is anyone interested in the subject from high school students with little scientific background to people with Ph.D.’s in science. The current format allows a reader to focus on areas of primary interest while keeping the “big picture” in mind. I hope the reader finds the book both enjoyable and useful.