Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae), commonly known as stinging nettle, is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the group of phytoalimurgic vegetables, including the wild edible species that were all used in the past when there was a shortage of food. The plant is well known from everybody for the dermatitis it causes when touched, due to biochemical mediators such as histamine and acetylcholine. Recently there was a rediscovery of the plant as food and medicine because of the range of biological activities exhibited such as antirheumatic, anti-infective, immuno-modulatory, anti-hyperglycaemic, and allergy relief. This review, providing a botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview of the species, aims to contribute to arouse interest in the scientific community on this promising plant.

Urtica dioica L.（荨麻科），通常被称为荨麻，是一种多年生草本植物，属于植物性植物营养蔬菜类，其中包括过去在食物短缺时都使用过的野生食用物种。由于生化介质（如组胺和乙酰胆碱）的存在，这种植物在接触时引起的皮炎众所周知。最近，由于表现出多种生物活性，例如抗风湿，抗感染，免疫调节，抗高血糖和过敏缓解，该植物被重新用作食品和药品。这篇综述提供了该物种的植物学，植物化学和药理学概述，旨在促进引起人们对这种有前途的植物在科学界的兴趣。