Abstract

THERAPEUTIC AND NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF URTICA DIOICA LINN

Rawat Suman*, Mishra H.S., Agarwal A.K., Ranjna, Kumar A.

.

Abstract

Urtica dioica Linn. is high altitude plant found in Himalayan region of India. This herb has been used as culinary delicacy in many food cultures since centuries but in last few decades, this plant has been well researched for its probable therapeutic properties. At the same time, it has a promising nutritional potential. Ayurveda a millennial old science of traditional medicine of India now popular world over has vague reference of vrischikaalii which literally means a plant inflicting pain like scorpion sting. Trichomes present on surface of almost all parts of U. dioica inflict scorpion sting like pain on contact with bare skin due to presence of some specific chemicals. Present paper aims at exploration of all textual references from classical texts of Ayurveda up to contemporary scientific publication to workout classical identity of this potential herb and establish this herb available in abundance in main stream therapeutics in Ayurveda.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Urtica dioica, stinging nettle, bicchu ghas.