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Stinging nettle is a perennial plant with significant biological activity and a long history of application in folk medicine and as food.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the Urticaceae family. Several studies have reported the presence of the different classes of chemical compounds, which expressed a beneficial effect on human health. Among them there are elements and minerals that are essential for the proper functioning of organism. Mineral occurrence requires analytical data about the content. For such purposes was developed and validated a method based on the optical emission spectroscopy coupled with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). Minerals and elements were extracted using two conventional methods (Soxhlet and maceration) and two non-conventional (ultrasound- and microwave-assisted techniques). The extracts were analyzed resulting in high diversity in the composition. Non-conventional techniques showed better results, since those extracts possessed high content of the macroelements and iron as well, instead the toxic elements were found in trace amount

Stinging nettle (SN) is an extraordinary plant from the Urticaceae botanical family. It is well-known and widely used in food and folk medicine to treat different disorders and diseases. This article aimed to study the chemical composition of SN leaves extracts, i.e., polyphenolic compounds and vitamins B and C, because many studies ascribed high biological potency to these compounds and their significance in the human diet. Besides the chemical profile, the thermal properties of the extracts were studied. The results confirmed presence of many polyphenolic compounds and vitamins B and C. It also showed that the chemical profile closely correlated with the applied extraction technique. The thermal analysis showed that analyzed samples were thermally stable up to about 160 °C. Thermal degradation of samples UAE, MAE, and MAC took place in four steps, and sample SE in three steps. Altogether, results confirmed the presence of health-beneficial compounds in stinging nettle leaves and indicated the possible application of its extract in pharmaceutical and food industries as both a medicinal and food additive.