Site icon Health Benefits

Health benefits of Stinging Nettle

Health benefits of Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle Quick Facts
Name: Stinging Nettle
Scientific Name: Urtica dioica
Origin Europe, Asia, northern Africa
Shapes Small, flattened, lenticular achenes
Taste Acrid
Calories 37 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients Vitamin K (369.83%)
Calcium (42.80%)
Manganese (30.13%)
Iron (18.25%)
Total dietary Fiber (16.05%)
Health benefits Improves Heart Health and Promotes Feminine Health
Urtica dioica often called Stinging nettle, common nettle, stinging nettle, nettle leaf, Big string nettle, Nettle, devil’s leaf, European nettle, Grosse Brennesse is an dioecious, herbaceous, perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae and is native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America. The plant has been used medicinally for ages, dating back as far as Ancient Greece. Today, stinging nettle can be found all over the world. The plant has a long history of use as a medicine, as a food source and as a source of fiber. The entire plant is covered with tiny stiff hairs, mostly on the underside of the leaves and stems that release stinging chemicals when touched. The common name nettle is taken from the Anglo-Saxon word noedl meaning “needle.”

Plant Description

Stinging nettle is a dioecious perennial, herbaceous plant that grows about 1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft.) tall. The plant grows in moist sites along streams, coulees, and ditches, on mountain slopes, in woodland clearings, and in disturbed areas. It thrives in damp, nutrient-rich soils, but can colonize a wide range of other habitats. It has widely spreading rhizomes and stolons, which are bright yellow, as are the roots. Stem is simple or branched, erect or sprawling.

Leaves

Leaves are green colored and are 3 to 15 cm (1 to 6 in) long and are borne oppositely on an erect wiry green stem. The leaves have a strongly serrated margin, a cordate base and an acuminate tip with a terminal leaf tooth longer than adjacent laterals. The leaves and stems are very hairy with non-stinging hairs and in most subspecies also bear many stinging hairs whose tips come off when touched. Leaves are dark green on the top and are a paler green and downy on the underside.

Flower & Fruit

Flower is green to white in color, with drooping clusters of four petals per flower, and occur in the leaf axils as well as at the stem tips. Male and female flowers usually grow on separate plants of the stinging nettle, hence the species name dioica, meaning “separate,” or “two houses.” Flowering normally takes place from May to October. The fruit is small, flattened, lenticular achenes. The plant is used as a medicine, as a food source and as a source of fiber.

Health Benefits of Stinging Nettle

If you happen to touch a stinging nettle plant while out for a walk, you will experience a sudden, intense pain that feels like needles are pricking into your skin. While this might make you think you want nothing to do with it, stinging nettle is very beneficial for your health. Health benefits of stinging nettle include:

1. Improves Prostate Health

Prostate enlargement and cancer are both serious factors to consider as men age, but stinging nettle has proven to be an effective means of preventing prostate growth. However, due to the chemical pathways that this treatment takes, stinging nettle can only prevent the growth, not reverse it once the growth factor and testosterone-stimulation has occurred.(1)

2. Detoxifies the Body

Stringing nettle consists of wide range of beneficial nutrients, which make it an ideal detoxifier for the body and it has been known to gently cleanse the body of toxins. Stinging nettle can also ensure that those toxins being neutralized in the body are then removed quickly. Stinging nettle is known as an alternative, meaning that it can improve the nutrient uptake efficiency of the gut and ensure that the digestive processes run smoothly, thus preventing the accumulation of dangerous toxins. It also encourages the lymphatic system, helping to rid the body of excess toxins in the kidneys as well.(2)

3. Osteoporosis and Bone Health

Boron, an important mineral element, can be found in stinging nettle. Boron has been scientifically connected to maintaining calcium content in our bones, which means that stinging nettle, can help slow the start of osteoporosis. When you combine that effect with the hormone-regulating impact that stinging nettle has, which helps to regulate and monitor bone health as well, it seems like this herb truly can do it all.(3)

4. Improves Heart Health

Stinging nettle has the ability to positively affect the heart. Research has revealed that frequent consumption of stinging nettle tea can help lower systolic blood pressure and relieve tension and stress on the cardiovascular system.(4)

5. Promotes Feminine Health

Stinging nettle has a number of active components that affect feminine health. For painful premenstrual symptoms, stinging nettle can calm cramping and bloating, while also minimizing blood flow during menstruation due to its astringent capabilities. For women suffering menopause, stinging nettle is also useful as it can smooth the transition and act as a restorative so the hormonal shift isn’t as dramatic in the body.(5)

6. Treats Respiratory Issues

Stinging nettle is used in a number of treatments of a variety of respiratory conditions, including hay fever, asthma, and other seasonal allergies. Research has shown that certain extract combinations from stinging nettle can considerably reduce allergic reactions in patients. Regular consumption of stinging nettle tea has been used to treat asthma in Australia for generations.(6)

7. Kidney and Gallbladder Health

Stinging nettle has nephridic qualities, meaning that it can help to break down stones in the kidney and gallbladder, preventing those painful conditions from worsening or requiring those stones to be either passed or surgically removed. Also, as a diuretic, stinging nettle helps to eliminate toxins quickly, thus protecting against bladder infections and excess fluid retention (edema).(7)

8. Aids in Pregnancy

Stinging nettle tea is often recommended for women who are undergoing excessively painful labor, and it can also help protect against excessive bleeding, as it can act as a coagulant. Furthermore, stinging nettle will help to encourage the production of milk and make lactation easier for the newborn.(8)

9. Gastrointestinal Health

Stinging nettle extract supplements have been recommended for reducing nausea and diarrhea, and as with the menstruation and menopausal effects, stinging nettle can also calm ulcers and hemorrhoids.(9)

10. Skin Care

When the extracts are applied to the skin, stinging nettle has been proven to reduce the severity of acne and can even prevent bacterial infections of various types. Due to its antioxidant properties, it can also speed healing, reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes, and promote anti-aging to reduce wrinkles and age spots.(10)

11. Improves Circulation

Stinging nettle consists of higher amount of vitamin C and iron content which makes it ideal for stimulating red blood cell production. Vitamin C enhances iron uptake in the gut, while iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin. By increasing the RBC count in the body, circulation increases, wound healing speeds up, and the body’s extremities receive essential oxygenation to boost energy levels. For the same reason, stinging nettle is often recommended to relieve fatigue or anemia, which is characterized by general muscle weakness, exhaustion, cognitive difficulties, and headaches.(11)

12. Anti-inflammatory Activity

Stinging nettle is a stimulant and rubefacient substance, making it very effective against various inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis or chronic muscle pain. Research has shown that stinging nettle tea or herbal supplementation can effectively treat gout, soothe muscle pain, and reduce symptoms of arthritis.(12)

Traditional uses and benefits of Stinging Nettle

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Stinging Nettle

Uses

Competitive eating

In the UK, an annual World Nettle Eating Championship draws thousands of people to Dorset, where competitors attempt to eat as much of the raw plant as possible. Competitors are given 60 cm (20 in) stalks of the plant, from which they strip the leaves and eat them. Whoever strips and eats the most stinging nettle leaves in a fixed time is the winner. The competition dates back to 1986, when two neighboring farmers attempted to settle a dispute about which had the worst infestation of nettles.

Drink

Nettle leaves are soaked in a concentrated sugar solution so the flavor is extracted into the sugar solution. Leaves are then removed and a source of citric acid (usually lemon juice) is added to help preserve the cordial and add a tart flavor.

Commercially produced cordials are generally quite concentrated and are usually diluted by one part cordial to ten parts water – thus a 0.5 liters (0.11 imp gal; 0.13 US gal) bottle of cordial would be enough for 5.5 liters (1.2 imp gal; 1.5 US gal) diluted. The high concentration of sugar in nettle cordial gives it a long shelf life. There are also many recipes for alcoholic nettle beer, which is countryside favorite in the British Isles.

Textiles

Nettle stems contain a bast fiber that has been traditionally used for the same purposes as linen and is produced by a similar retting process. Unlike cotton, nettles grow easily without pesticides. The fibers are coarser however.

Historically, nettles have been used to make clothing for 2,000 years, and German Army uniforms were made from nettle during World War I due to a shortage of cotton. More recently, companies in Austria, Germany and Italy have started to produce commercial nettle textiles. Nettles may be used as a dye-stuff, producing yellow from the roots, or yellowish green from the leaves.

Stinging Nettle Capsules and Tablets

Stinging nettle capsules and tablets can be taken orally. There is questionable proof on whether stinging nettle capsules or tablets for allergy relief are better ingested on an empty stomach or not. If there is concern about upset stomach and other side effects, take stinging nettle with food.

Culinary Uses

Other Facts

Selection and Storage

Usually gather nettles utilizing work gloves, as well as put on a long-sleeved shirt. Additionally clean and cut nettles wearing rubber gloves. Once you’ve cooked them just a little (or even soaked them in warm water for the little bit), the stingers are deactivated, and also the plant will become incredibly edible.

The young leaves are the best part of the plant. As soon as the plant flowers, the leaves become bitter and may annoy the bladder as well as kidneys, therefore pick nettles when they’re young as well as sensitive, and harvest just the top four inches of the plant. It may seem a little frightening, yet fresh nettles could be consumed raw. Yet be mindful and make certain to neutralize the formic acid that may sting you. Make use of your teeth, mixer, mortar as well as pestle, or juicer to grind nettle leaves as well as remove their sting. Make use of fresh new nettles the next time you are making a green juice or even smoothie. Make use of freshly crushed nettle in soup as well as salad recipes too.

If you do get stung, make use of scotch tape to get rid of any kind of stingers as well as neutralize the acidic burn by utilizing a simple paste created from smashed nettle leaves (indeed!), jewelweed, dock leaves OR baking soda. In the pinch, vinegar or even urine might help too. You are able to dry nettles for tea or even tinctures either by hanging bunches of it upside down in the cool, dry place, or even with your dehydrator. In any event, clean the leaves soon after harvesting. If utilizing a dehydrator, wear gloves and take away the leaves through the stem. Permit the leaves to air dry for around half an hour or even pat dry along with paper towel. Put the leaves within your dehydrator, distributing them on the rack in single rows, making certain to not pile the leaves along with each other. Keep sufficient space in between each leaf so there is great air flow. Dehydrate for eight to ten hours or till the leaves are totally dry (to avoid mold). If required, rotate the tray a couple of times all through dehydrating. Store within an air-tight container till ready to use.

How to Treat a Stinging Nettle Sting

If stung by the stinging nettle plant, it’s important not to touch or scratch the area. The chemical irritants can dry on the skin and be removed with soap and water. Touching and scratching can push the chemicals further into the skin, spreading the irritation time for days. Using duct tape or a wax removal product can help remove any additional fibers.

There are many people who choose dock plant for relief from nettle stings, despite studies showing it does not provide any medicinal benefits aside from making the irritated area feel cool. Crushed leaves from other plants like jewelweed, sage, as well as the stinging nettles leaves themselves release juices that can provide relief from the sting. Other traditional anti-itch treatments like aloe Vera, calamine lotion and cold compresses can be used as well.

Once nettle is soaked or cooked in water or dried, the stinging quality is removed.

Precautions When Using Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is a very safe herb when used properly — although, there are a few precautions to take when starting to use stinging nettle.

When harvesting: Always harvest stinging nettle with thick gardening gloves to avoid being stung. It’s also best to harvest young plant parts, preferably in the spring. They become more bitter after they flower and as they age.

When using with other herbs and supplements: As with any herb or supplement, it’s important to be cautious when mixing to avoid adverse side effects. You should always start an herbal supplement plan under the care of your health care provider. Patients may have to change their dosages of other supplements if they choose to take stinging nettle.

When pregnant: There is discussion whether or not pregnant women should use stinging nettle. Because stinging nettle affects the menstrual cycle and can stimulate uterine contractions, it could possibly lead to miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should not use stinging nettle.

When you’re a diabetic: There is evidence that shows stinging nettle’s ability to affect blood sugar and delay with controlling diabetes. It can also affect the strength of diabetes drugs and increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Diabetics who want to use stinging nettle should only do so under the supervision of their health care providers. Patients may have to change their dosages of medications if they choose to take stinging nettle.

When you first start: Some people have upset stomach, diarrhea or other mild reactions when they first take stinging nettle. It’s best to ease into usage, starting with a small dosage.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center and WebMD, stinging nettle can interact with the following medications:

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19152#null

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1958/

https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=40944

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Urtica+dioica

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/nettle

http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/55911

http://www.floracatalana.net/urtica-dioica-l

http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/stinging-nettle

https://www.nps.gov/planTs/alien/pubs/midatlantic/urdi.htm

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nettle03.html

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2448560

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=URDI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica

http://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/nettle

78%
78%
Awesome

Comments

comments

Exit mobile version