Lamium, Dead Nettle

Also called Urtica mortua, Galiopsis, Archangel

Herbarum Vivae Eicones, Otto Brunfels, 1530

Compleat Body of Practical Botanic Physic, Bayliss, 1791

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Botanical name:
Lamium spp.
Several varieties are used:
  1. L. album (White; best, most used)
  2. L. purpureum (Red)
  3. L. lutea (syn. L. galeobdolon) (Yellow)
Diverse types were known; Stinking or Not-Stinking, Spotted (called Lamium) or Unspotted (purple Lamium), with Purple (red), White or Yellow flowers; Salmon said the three species are similar in use and effect, with the white being a little stronger. Others said ‘Stinking Spotted Dead-Nettle’ is best. The Red was preferred for Bleeding and excess Menstruation.

Parts used:
Herb, Seed

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry.

Classifications:
Attenuating, Inciding, Discussive, Resolutive, Astringent, Vulnerary
Cephalic, Nervine, Hepatic, Splenetic, Uterine, Arthritic

Uses:
1. Moves the Blood and Qi, Regulates Menstruation:
-irregular, delayed or painful menstruation, especially Amenorrhea.
-blood stasis of the Uterus with dragging pain in which case the menstruation may be either early or copious.
-PMS with irritability, hyper-emotionalism, breast tenderness etc.
-conserve of the flowers strengthens the Womb and is very good for excess Menstruation (especially the Red)
  
2. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-scant or frequent urination with Lumbar pain; Strangury
-Bed-wetting in children, Incontinence
-Albuminuria and Prostate irritation
-much used for Leukorrhea, both internally and in douches.
  
3. Clears Damp, Stops Diarrhea:
-Diarrhea associated with damp, or heat and damp.
-diarrhea with blood and mucous in the stool, Enteritis and Dysentery.
    
4. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-Wheezing, Breathlessness, Bronchitis and Asthma.
    
5. Clears Phlegm-Damp, Resolves Masses:
-Scrofula, Tumors, Cancer

6. Externally:
-Sores and Boils from toxic heat (both int. and ext.)
-applied topically to Injuries, Ulcers, Rashes and Hemorrhoids
-applied to Swollen Glands and Cysts.
-herb boiled in oil is a good application to cold, hard swellings.
-applied to Gout, Sciatica and Arthritic pain.
-topically used to promote hair growth.
-in gargles for inflammation of the Mouth and Throat
-in douches for Leukorrhea

DOSE:
Seed or Herb in Powder: 1–3 grams, often taken with wine
Juice: 2–3 oz. with Wine

Main Combinations:
1. Leukorrhea, Dead Nettle is commonly prescribed with Lady's Mantle
2. Leukorrhea, Dead Nettle with Lady's Mantle and Horsetail (Müller)
3. To regulate Menstruation, Dead Nettle with Yarrow
4. Dysmenorrhea, Dead Nettle with Lady's Mantle, Camomile, Water Pepper (Meyer)
5. Strangury, Dead Nettle with Parsley (Physicians of Myddvai)
6. Scrofula and Eczema, Dead Nettle with Heartsease, Walnut leaf, Fenugreek, Ground Ivy (Fischer)
7. To promote hair growth, decoct Dead Nettle with Burdock root in water and vinegar and rub into the scalp. (Kneipp)

Cautions:
None noted

Main Preparations used:
Conserve of the White Flowers