The Surprising Benefits of Stinging Nettle

Let’s turn back to nature and take a closer look at the powerful stinging nettle benefits.

Mother nature is absolutely incredible at proving us with everything we might need to keep the body healthy! Unfortunately many turn to prescription medication and factory farmed foods… only to wonder one day how they end up sick, tired and old…

There is a saying in herbalism that goes “when in doubt, use nettle.” Indeed, it would be hard to find a condition for which stinging nettle couldn’t offer some healing support.

For over 2,000 years, doctors have recognized the herb’s ability to stop all kinds of internal and external bleeding, and considered it a good blood purifier. Taken as a tea, it has been found to help cure mucus congestion, skin irritations, water retention, and diarrhea. The beverage is also said to help nursing mothers produce milk and it also stimulate the digestive glands of the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder. Applied externally, nettle tea — it is claimed — relieves rheumatism in both people and animals, makes a first-class gargle for mouth and throat infections, helps to clear up acne and eczema and promotes the healing of burns.

So let’s take a closer look at 6 main health benefits of stinging nettle.

Nettle leaf is among the most valuable herbal remedies.  Because of its many nutrients, stinging nettle is traditionally used as a spring tonic.  It is a slow-acting nutritive herb that gently cleanses the body of metabolic wastes.  It is one of the safest alternatives, especially in the treatment of chronic disorders that require long-term treatment.  It has a gentle, stimulating effect on the lymphatic system, enhancing the excretion of wastes through the kidneys.

1. Nettle helps relieve allergies

Nettle’s aerial parts may reduce the amount of histamine that is produced by the body in response to an allergen. An allergen is a substance such as pollen that may provoke an exaggerated immune response in individuals who are sensitive to it. Stinging nettle leaves have been used both as an herbal treatment and a homeopathic remedy for the relief of nettle allergies such as asthma, hay fever, and hives.

2. Nettle is a powerful blood builder

Nettle’s iron content makes it a wonderful blood builder, and the presence of vitamin C aids in the iron absorption.  As a hemetic (an herb rich in iron), this is an excellent herb for anemia and fatigue, especially in women.  It promotes the process of protein transanimation in the liver, effectively utilizing digested proteins, while simultaneously preventing them from being discharged through the body as waste products.

3. Nettle supports healthy pregnancy and labor

Stinging nettle is beneficial during pregnancy due to its rich mineral value and vitamin K, which guards against excessive bleeding.  It is also a good supplement to strengthen the fetus.  It is used during labor to ease the pains, and will increase milk production in lactating women.

4. Nettle as a powerful arthritis pain reliever

Nettle leaves are used to treat painful symptoms of arthritis, gout, rheumatism, and soft tissue conditions such as fibromyalgia and tendonitis. Patients with Lupus and other auto-immune disorders suffering from joint pain experience relief from drinking a cup of nettle tea or eating stewed nettle leaves daily. Its diuretic action alkalizes and releases uric acid from the joints of gout patients eliminating pain.

5. Nettle relieves menstrual cramps and bloating

Stinging nettle is often recommended for pre-menstrual syndrome because of its toxin-ridding activity.  When the liver is sluggish, it processes estrogen slowly, contributing to the high levels that cause or aggravate PMS.  It acts as a restorative remedy during menopause, and the astringency of the herb helps in excessive menstrual flow.

6. Nettle as a digestive aid

Nettle leaf is effective at reducing symptoms of the digestive tract ranging from acid reflux, excess gas, nausea, colitis and Celiac disease. Additionally, it’s medicinal action on mucous membranes makes it an effective herbal treatment for sore throats, swollen hemorrhoids, nose bleeds and mouth sores.

Best Ways To Use Nettle

Nettle can be made into a tea, an alcohol extraction (tincture), or added to a number of wonderful recipes. Handle nettle with care using gloves or tongs, and when cooking with it make sure to blanch the leaves for 10 seconds to take away the sting before proceeding. Sauté it like spinach or mix into eggs, soup, or pesto. For a medicinal tea, pour boiling water over nettle, steep for eight hours or overnight, then strain and enjoy with honey and lemon juice if desired.

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Sources:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/stinging-nettle-benefits-zmaz81mazkin.aspx?PageId=2
http://ww2.kqed.org/bayareabites/2015/05/10/8-spring-farmers-market-superfoods-you-should-be-eating/
http://www.herballegacy.com/Vance_Medicinal.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/036080_stinging_nettles_remedies_arthritis.html#