Nettle

Nettle, scientifically known as Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial plant with a rich history in herbal medicine. It often grows to about 1 to 2 meters high in temperate climates. The plant is well known for its hair-like stingers that release irritating chemicals when touched.

Aesthetically, nettle features deep green leaves with serrated margins and tiny, somewhat inconspicuous greenish or brownish flowers. Nettle leaves are opposite and heart-shaped, characteristically covered with stinging hairs that can be painful upon contact.

Nettle's scent profile is quite distinctive. Fresh nettle has a sharp, earthy aroma reminiscent of rich soil and fresh grass with subtle, tangy undertones, almost similar to spinach or cucumber. When dried, the scent becomes milder and slightly hay-like, retaining its earthy base notes. This distinctive aroma is fresh and herbaceous, reflecting nettle’s lush green character.

This unique scent and its nutritional and therapeutic properties make nettle widely used in culinary, tea blends, and herbal remedies, contributing both aroma and a slight bitterness with healthful benefits.