Ortiga is the general term for nettles in Mexico. The varieties tend to be used interchangeably in remedies. Nettles were used medicinally pre-conquest by Aztec healers to treat joint pain and rheumatism and continue to be a staple in traditional healing remedies throughout Mexico. The Nahuatl term ihtitzonhuītequi refers to the process of beating the stomach of a person with a branch of nettles as a treatment to break up stomach pain before a sobada (massage). While beating the stomach generally has gone out of favor in most treatments, rubbing stinging nettles on the body is still quite common.
Note: Ortiga may cause uterine contractions and has shown to be genotoxic (damaging to DNA resulting in birth defects); therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy. Fresh leaves will cause itching, stinging, and rashes.
Ortiga Mayor
Ortiga mayor or verde (Urtica dioica L. var. angustifolia) is also known as dominguilla in Jalisco, solimán in Puebla, and in the Zapotec language, guiechi-bidoo with spelling variants guichi-bidu and ghuchibdu. This native Mexican nettle variety is the slender or tall nettle, also known as the California nettle.
Ortiga’s tender leaves, harvested before the plant flowers, are edible and are high in calcium. Wash, boil for ten to fifteen minutes, and they are ready to go. Enjoy in salads, soup, or pureed in juice. Although the boiling process reduces the potency of the nettle’s sting, be aware that eating undercooked leaves can result in tongue edema.
Ortiga is most often employed in the treatment of arthritis in Mexican traditional medicine. To make a poultice, crush the leaves and boil them. For a liniment, steep the leaves for two days in alcohol and rub on painful joints before bed. Urtica dioica is anti-inflammatory, supporting traditional use.
Ortiga is prescribed for diarrhea, bladder infections, rheumatism, bronchitis, bloody phlegm, and uterine hemorrhaging. The infusion is made with 15 to 30 grams of leaves and root for a half liter of water. Patients should drink three or four cups a day for twenty days. An infusion for edema is made from three branches in three-quarters liter of water.
Ortiga is a diuretic and is prescribed for PMS bloating. Pour a cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of dried herbs and steep for 10 minutes before straining. Drink up to three cups per day. One remedy for excessive menstrual flow, enfrío de señoras, calls for the purple variety of sin verguenza (Tradescantía Zebrina Purpusii), ortiga stems, the hairs of the outer shell of coco (Cocos nucifera) and crushed pecan shells.
Ortiga tea for prostrate issues is made with either fresh or dried leaves. Pour warm, but not boiling, water over two teaspoons and allow to steep for five to ten minutes. Drink two cups daily. Studies have shown that Urtica dioica suppresses malignant cell growth in individuals with prostate cancer. Urtica root also has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of urinary tract infections and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Additionally, leaves and root extracts block sperm transport, making it a fairly effective male contraceptive aid.
Urtica dioica has anti-dengue, antihyperglycemic, hypotensive, vasorelaxant, and antidiabetic activity. It has also shown promise in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Ortiga menor
Ortiga menor (small or dwarf nettle) is sometimes called ortiga negra (Urtica urens). Several studies have noted that several weeks of ortiga menor tea drunk by nursing mothers resulted in galactorrhea, which explains why nettles have traditionally been prescribed for increased milk flow.
Ortiga menor is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-parasitic. It has shown potential in treating hyperuricemia, elevated uric acid levels, and relieving rheumatic pain. It is antinociceptive. Urtica urens has anxiolytic activity comparable to diazepam.
Ortiga Brava
Ortiga brava (Urera baccifera) is also known as, purichi, nigua, espanta diablo, pyno guasu, guaritoto, ortiga de caballo, pica-pica, pringamoz, laal tsiimim (Maya), chak lalil k’aax, and pringa leche. In English, this variety of nettle is called scratchbush.
Infusions are made with either the leaves or roots. The sap is applied to infected molars, boils, bruises, and skin infections. An infusion from the roots is given as a diuretic, to relieve urinary tract infections, and to bring on menstruation. A wash from the roots is applied to burns and ringworm infections. Ortiga brava has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
It also demonstrates gastroprotective properties, supporting its use in treating gastric disorders.
Ortiguilla
Ortiguilla (Urtica chamaedryoides) is also known as buba, chichicasate (with variant spellings chichicastle/chichicaztle), tsitsikaxtli, buba, and meloncillo. In English, this variety of nettle is the heartleaf nettle or slim stinging nettle. The leaves are used topically for muscle pain and cramps in the states of Morelos, Veracruz, and Mexico. Less frequently, ortiguilla is used as a wash for escarlatina (measles), hives, and sores. The root is boiled and the infusion drunk for a bloody nose.
A steam decoction is made from the leaves to treat asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis. An infusion is prescribed for digestive issues, including diarrhea, dysentery, and parasites. Other uses call for ortiguilla to combat mal de aire (evil winds), to bring on menstruation, and as a liver tonic.
Ortiguilla (Urtica chamaedryoides) and ortiga menor (Urtica urens) are very similar in appearance and often used interchangeably in traditional remedies. Ortiga menor has smaller and thinner leaves than ortiguilla with more triangular edges.
Ortiga blanca
Ortiga blanca (white-dead nettle), also known as ortiga muerta, (Lamium album), arrived with the Spanish priests and is now easily found throughout Mexico. It is often mistaken for ortiga mayor (Urtica dioica). However, the flowers are different. Also the leaves of ortiga blanca are lacking in the “sting” that ortiga mayor has. Additionally, ortiga blanca leaves emit a strong, unpleasant smell when bruised.
It is used in traditional remedies for fever reduction, as a blood purifier, and for prostrate issues. An infusion is made using five grams of leaves for each half liter of water. Half is drunk in the morning, and the other half at night.
For flujo blanco (vaginitis), a wash is made from ortiga blanca and four leaves of manrubio (Marrubium vulgare). Studies have shown that Lamium album leaves provide relief in the event of vaginal and cervical inflammation.
Ortiga blanca is recommended as an infusion during menstruation to reduce heavy bleeding and combat anemia.
It is considered a fertility-enhancing plant in many areas of Mexico. Both partners should drink ortiga blanca as an infusion to improve fertility. However, there is no evidence supporting this traditional use.
Drunk during pregnancy, ortiga blanca is believed to help in fetal development and reduce bleeding after delivery. After birth, regular infusions are thought to help strengthen the mother’s body and increase milk production. Ortiga blanca demonstrates hemostatic activity, making it useful in wound healing.
During menopause, regular novena (9-day) doses of ortiga blanca tea are recommended to reduce bone loss and regulate hormones.
To make a tincture, add 100 grams of dry ortiga blanca leaves or 250 grams of fresh leaves to one liter of alcohol. Allow it to marinate in the sun for six weeks before filtering. Take no more than five ml three times a day. Lamium album has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis pain.
Lamium album is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, astringent, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-viral, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative. It has shown promise in treating respiratory ailments. It also decreases glucose levels.
***
Interested in natural remedies? Uncover herbal remedies from traditional Mexican sources for healing and wellness in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series.
Surviving Mexico 
