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. 2022 Feb 24;2022:4024331. doi: 10.1155/2022/4024331

Table 1.

Geographical distribution, traditional uses, and pharmacology of Urtica species.

No. Species Geographical distribution Traditional uses Pharmacological activities
1 Urtica andicola Wedd. Turkey Skin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
2 Urtica angustifolia Fisch. ex Hornem. China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Siberia None known Antifatigue
3 Urtica ardens Link Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sikkim Exorcism, jaundice, postcalving care, sprains, bones fracture, hematuria, neck sore, yolk sore
4 Urtica aspera Petrie New Zealand Stomach diseases, snakebites, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperplasia, fungal infections
5 Urtica atrichocaulis (Hand.-Mazz.) C.J. Chen China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas, Pakistan Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-modulatory
6 Urtica atrovirens Req. ex Loisel France, Italy, Spain Antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, hepatic protective, antiviral, arthritis
7 Urtica australis Hook.f. New Zealand Skin diseases, diabetes, eczema, fungal infections, arthritis
8 Urtica ballotifolia Wedd. Colombia, Ecuador
9 Urtica berteroana Phil Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia
10 Urtica buchtienii Ross Chile, Argentina
11 Urtica cannabina L. Russia, Sweden, Netherlands, China, Western Asia from Siberia to Iran Anti-inflammatory
12 Urtica chamaedryoides Pursh United States, Mexico
13 Urtica circularis Sorarú Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
14 Urtica deltoidea Sw. New Zealand Arthritis, inflammation, antiulcer, anticancer, antimicrobial activities
15 Urtica dentate Hand.-Mazz North America Kidney problems, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney calculi Antiarthritis, antiurolithiatic
16 Urtica dioica L. United States, New Zealand, Turkey, Europe, Asia, North America Injuries to reduce swelling, diuretic, flu, diabetes disease, losing weight, cold, cancers, anemic conditions, libido, induce menstruation, stomach- ache, renal and pulmonary diseases Antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory antiaging, cytotoxic/anticancer Effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia, antidiabetic, antiendometriosis, nephroprotective
17 Urtica echinata Benth Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador
18 Urtica ferox Blanco New Zealand, Australia Skin problems, hyperglycemic, antiviral, diuretic, hypotensive, antiaggregate
19 Urtica fissa E. Pritz China, Taiwan, Egypt, Vietnam Rheumatoid arthritis
20 Urtica flabellata Kunth Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Turkey Skin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
21 Urtica galeopsifolia J. Jacq. ex Blume Russia, Ukraine, Belarus Renal ailments, asthma, anemia, blood purification
22 Urtica gracilenta Greene Kidney diseases, diabetes, fungal infections
23 Urtica glomeruliflora Steud. Chile
24 Urtica haussknechtii Boiss. Turkey
25 Urtica hyperborea Jacq. exWedd. Nepal, India, China Skin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections Antioxidant
26 Urtica incana Blume Peru Skin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
27 Urtica kioviensis Rogow. Europe, Israel, Russia Arthritis, hepatic protective, antiviral
28 Urtica lalibertadensis Weigend Peru Skin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
29 Urtica laetevirens Maxim. China, Japan, Korea Anticancer
30 Urtica leptophylla Kunth Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador Skin rashes, arthritis, fungal infections
31 Urtica lilloi (Hauman) Geltman Argentina
32 Urtica longispica Killip Ecuador, Peru, Colombia Cough, eczema, gout, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis
33 Urtica macbridei Killip Ecuador, Peru
34 Urtica magellanica Juss. ex Poir. Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador Allergy, arthritis
35 Urtica mairei H. Lév. China, India, Bhutan, Himalaya, Myanmar Kidney pain. Its extract and paste kidney diseases, diabetes, fungal infections, inflammation, arthritis Antiprotatic hyperplasia
36 Urtica masafuerae Phil. Chile
37 Urtica massaica Mildbr. Africa Skin rashes, malaria, eczema, skin rashes, dermatitis, diuretic
38 Urtica membranacea Poir. ex Savigny Israeli, Europe, Algeria Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
39 Urtica mexicana Liebm Mexico, Guatemala
40 Urtica mollis Steud. Peru, Chile, Argentina
41 Urtica morifolia Poir. Europe
42 Urtica orizabae Liebm. Mexico, United States, Cuba
43 Urtica parviflora Roxb. Nepal, India, United States, Western China, Bhutan, Himalaya Arthritis, tumor, astringent, diuretic, inflammatory Nephroprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant
44 Urtica pilulifera L. Tunisia, Israel, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Turkey, Palestine Skin and prostate disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, skin treatment, inflammation, arthritis, internal bleeding, anemia, excessive menstruation, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, hay fever, kidney problems, pain, skin problems, abdominal pain, internal diseases, antiasthmatic, antitumor, astringent, diuretic, galactagogue, depurative, antihyperglycemic, antidandruff Antidiabetic
45 Urtica platyphylla Wedd. Japan, Russia
46 Urtica praetermissa V.W. Steinm. Mexico
47 Urtica pubescens Ledeb. Mexico
48 Urtica rupestris Guss. Italy
49 Urtica sondenii (Simmons) Avrorin ex Geltman Canada
50 Urtica spiralis Blume Mexico
51 Urtica stachyoidesWebb & Benth. Spain, Mexico
52 Urtica taiwaniana S.S. Ying Taiwan
53 Urtica thunbergiana Siebold & Zucc. Japan, Korea, China Antiaging
54 Urtica triangularis Hand.-Mazz. China
55 Urtica trichantha (Wedd.) Acevedo & Navas Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Japan, China
56 Urtica urens L. Unite States, Mexico, Europe, Israel, New Zealand Blood depurative, antihypoglycemic, antioxidant, hepatic protective, antiviral, diuretic, hypotensive, antiaggregate, kidney problems Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory