Safe Herbs for Dogs - Nettle

Nettle Urtica dioica (Nettle family)

Main Constituents

Vitamins A, C, D, B complex
calcium
phosphorus
iron
magnesium
beta-carotene
potassium
protein

Medicinal Activities

nutritive
diuretic
hemostatic
astringent
antihistamine
tonic

Common Uses in Dogs

Due to its nutritive contents, this herb is an excellent herb tonic for your dog. It provides nutrients to the whole body. The completely dried herb can be sprinkled onto your dog's food (1/2 teaspoon/lb. of food). Because of its high iron content, it is especially beneficial to dogs with anemia.

The leaves of this herb can be made into a tea for use as a skin and coat rinse for your dog. It nourishes his coat and alleviates discomfort due to fleabites, eczema and other skin conditions.

Because of nettle's hemostatic property, the leaves can be made into a poultice for nosebleeds or other hemorrhagic conditions.

This herb is also antihistamine, and can therefore be useful for dogs with predictable seasonal occurrences of allergies. Daily supplement of nettle leaves may alleviate the allergic symptoms.

Precautions

When handling the fresh leaves of this herb, be sure to wear gloves since the leaves can cause a stinging sensation. Thorough drying or cooking neutralizes the toxic constituents that cause the sensation.

Availability

Available at stores where bulb herbs are sold. The leaves, and stems of the preflowering plant and roots can be used to make tea, tincture, and poultice.

Get herbs (fresh and dried) and tinctures from:

Mountain Rose Herbs. A herbs, health and harmony c

J.A. Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Comprehensive Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing (Rodale Books, 2000).
R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000).
M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999).

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