Himalayan Nettle

Girardinia diversifolia

Physical Characteristics

Girardinia diversifolia is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is in flower from September to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - India to China and Malaysia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Young leaves and inflorescences - cooked as a green vegetable[177, 272]. Care should be exercised when harvesting the leaves because they have stinging hairs. However, these hairs are neutralized by heat and so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe to eat[218].

Medicinal Uses

Eczema Febrifuge Miscellany A decoction of the roots and basal stems is mixed with wine and drunk as a cure for malignant boils[218]. A decoction of the roots, mixed with Centella asiatica, is used to treat gastric troubles[272]. The juice of the root is used to treat constipation[272]. The fresh juice of the leaves is applied externally in the treatment of headaches and swollen joints[240, 272]. A decoction of the plant is used to treat fevers[240]. The ashes of the plant are applied externally in the treatment of ringworm and eczema[272].

Known Hazards

This plant has very virulent stinging hairs[4].