Stinging Nettle Root Absolute — Urtica dioica | Earthy Herbaceous | H Reynaud Fils, France

Part of our Professional Perfumers Range — curated for the discerning natural perfumer seeking exceptional depth and rarity.

Stinging Nettle Root Absolute — Earth and Wild Herb from the Hedgerow

While the leaves of Urtica dioica yield a green, herbaceous absolute of considerable character, the roots tell a different and deeper story entirely. Stinging Nettle Root Absolute, solvent extracted from the roots of Urtica dioica grown on sustainably managed French land by H Reynaud Fils — one of the oldest and most respected absolute houses in the UK, established in 1898 — is a darker, earthier, more tenacious material than its leaf counterpart. Where the leaf evokes the fresh green of a summer hedgerow, the root reaches deeper into the earth — woody, earthy, and profoundly grounded.

This is a genuinely rare material. Few suppliers offer nettle root absolute at retail; fewer still source it from a producer of Reynaud's standing and expertise.

Scent Profile

The opening is earthy, slightly woody, and deeply herbaceous — a clean, rooty character with the distinctive stinging nettle green note present but more restrained and earthbound than in the leaf absolute. As it develops, warm woody facets emerge alongside a subtle, slightly animalic earthiness that gives the material an unusual depth and gravitas. There is something of forest floor about the drydown — dark, rich, earthy, with a faint green herbaceous quality persisting throughout. The tenacity is excellent — this is a base note material of real staying power.

Perfumery Applications

Stinging nettle root absolute is a specialist base and modifier material — at its finest adding earthy depth and botanical authenticity to compositions where a conventional base note would feel too familiar or predictable. In woody orientals it provides an unusual earthy counterpoint; in chypres it adds a wild, botanical dimension alongside oakmoss; in masculine aromatic compositions its earthy character grounds and naturalises the accord with genuine outdoor character.

It works with particular facility alongside other root and earth materials — vetiver, orris, galbanum, oakmoss — where its distinctive character adds a further dimension without competing for dominance. Use at low to moderate concentrations and allow time on the strip to evaluate properly.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with vetiver, patchouli, oakmoss, labdanum, galbanum, violet leaf, cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense, clary sage, lavender absolute, and green tea absolute. Particularly effective alongside vetiver and oakmoss in a structured chypre base.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Urtica dioica L.
• Common Name: Stinging Nettle Root
• Botanical Family: Urticaceae
• Supplier: H Reynaud Fils, established 1898, France
• CAS Number: 84012-40-8
• EINECS Number: 281-685-5
• Origin: France
• Plant Part: Roots
• Extraction Method: Solvent extraction (absolute)
• Classification: Base note
• Appearance: Mobile liquid — supplied in DPG carrier for ease of handling, standard industry practice
• Odour Family: Earthy / Woody / Herbaceous / Green
• Natural: Yes — 100% pure natural absolute

Packaging

1ml sample supplied in a 5ml clear flint glass bottle. 5ml and 10ml supplied in amber glass bottles — all with inbuilt droppers and tamper evident caps.

Safety Information

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas. Not suitable for use on babies, children, pets or broken skin. Avoid use during pregnancy or whilst nursing. Always dilute properly and perform a patch test before first use.

Sample Policy

We recommend purchasing a 1ml sample first before committing to larger quantities. Please note that no refunds can be offered on opened items.

Photo images are for illustrative purposes only.