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Spring has sprung and it is in FULL bloom. Here on the West Coast, we have been experiencing what is called a “super bloom”, meaning, an abundance of beautiful wildflowers are currently blooming. While this has been a magnificent sight to see, with it comes an influx of super allergies. Have you been experiencing itchy, watery, eyes lately? How about a sneezy or runny nose? I know I have! Luckily, I discovered the amazing properties of stinging nettle a few years ago!
Are you familiar with STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioica)? Nettle is one of my absolute favorite herbs to utilize for wellness, especially during the spring! Nettle is commonly mistaken as a weed and can be found in places with moist soil such as alongside streams, roads, near lakes, on mountain slopes, and in woodland clearings.
Stinging nettle gets its name from the stinging hairs on the leaves, which can leave you with a painful rash if not properly handled! However, if the leaves are cleaned, cooked, boiled, dried, or made into a tincture, it is no longer capable of stinging.
I mostly use nettle to help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis or hay fever), but nettles are amazing for SO many things as it strengthens and supports the whole body.
At this point, you’re probably wondering what else nettles are good for, right? Well, they are beneficial to the whole body as a detoxifying agent, and help aid almost every system in the body.
Constituents: High levels of chlorophyll, histamine, seratonin, quercetin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, protein, vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, and B5.
Therapeutic Actions: Astringent, diuretic, tonic, hypotensive
Medicinal Uses: For both the male and female reproductive systems, but nettle is particularly helpful at relieving PMS system. For urinary tract and respiratory systems, as well as the integumentary system (skin). To lower blood sugar (it contains both hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic constituents), lower blood pressure, rheumatism, to treat early stages of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Nettle improves urine flow, reduces urinary frequency and nighttime urinary issues. Due to the rich vitamin and mineral content, nettles are also helpful in treating anemia and edema. Because of the quercetin and histamine levels, nettles do a great job at relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever aka seasonal allergies). Topically, nettle can be uses for osteoarthritis, myalgia, childhood and adult eczema, dandruff, hair loss, and to treat or prevent baldness.
Throughout history and in different cultures, nettles have been used to make fabrics and textiles. Nettles are also used in the kitchen as well, as the leaves are similar to spinach. They can be made into teas, soups, or salads!
I particularly enjoy consuming nettle either in a tincture or tea form. Nettle comes in capsule form too! Nettle tea by itself has a very grassy taste to it, so I’m a fan of teas that are blended with other herbs to mask that flavor. Alternatively, tinctures are a quick and effective way to experience the benefits of nettles! Tinctures (sometimes labeled as extracts) are typically alcohol-based, but you can find them made with glycerin as well. Always choose organic whenever possible! I have tried many brands as well as independent apothecaries!
Where can you find these?
At your local health foods store or grocery Co-Op, local apothecary shop, as well as online! Additionally, you can buy dried, loose herbs in bulk, or forage for fresh ones in an area that is far away from the highways that are not treated with pesticides WITH PERMISSION or permit from the owners of the land/public land!
Products and Brands that I trust:
Frontier Co-op Organic Cut & Sifted Bulk Nettle Leaf
Herb Pharm Stinging Nettle Blend Liquid Extract – 1 Ounce
Traditional Medicinal’s Nettle Leaf Herb Tea
Traditional Medicinals Organic Healthy Cycle Raspberry Women’s Tea (includes nettles)
Gaia Herbs Nettle Leaf Liquid Phyto-Capsules
Below, you will find two tea recipes that include nettle, featured in the book Herbal Teas: 101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health and Vitality by Kathleen Brown. One is a daily tonic, the other is to promote a healthy monthly cycle for women.
Tammi’s Total Tonic Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 part Oatstraw
- 1 part Red Clover Blossoms
- 1 part Nettle Leaves
- 1/2 part Mint Leaves
Instructions
- These directions are directly from the book: “Tammi’s philosophy about steeping: Allow a much longer steeping time for therapeutic teas. This provides better mineral extraction to improve the health-enhancing benefits.”Brew 1/2 cup herb mixture per 2 quarts boiling water. Pour water over herbs and cap jar tightly. Allow to steep at least 4 hours, but up to 12 hours.Strain and drink at room temperature, cool, or rewarmed. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup if desired.
Shatoiya’s Moon Brew
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 part Raspberry Leaves
- 1 part Nettle Leaves
- 1/2 part Lavender Flowers
- 1/2 part Spearmint Leaves
- 1/2 part Rose Petals
- 1/4 part Oatstraw
Instructions
- “This tea contains simple, nutritive herbs and is great hot or iced. Although used regularly in her women’s moon lodge ceremonies, Shatoiya recommends it for men as well.” Use 1 teaspoon herbs per cup of water. Pour boiling water over herbs in a pot and steep, covered, 15 minutes or more.
The second tea is such an amazing blend for women’s monthly health! If you prefer to purchase tea, check out the Traditional Medicinals Organic Healthy Cycle Raspberry Women’s Tea that I mentioned earlier, it is very similar! I will go more in-depth with herbs for women’s health at a later date! I particularly love red raspberry leaves with nettle and spearmint around my monthly cycle! It helps tone the whole body and lessens the severity of PMS symptoms and your actual cycle!
Have you tried stinging nettle before? What form are you interested in trying? Comment below!
Sources:
Brown, K., & Pollak, J. (1999). Herbal Teas: 101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health and Vitality. North Adams, MA: Storey.
Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
Mulls, S. & Bone, K. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
Weiss, R. & Fintelmann, V. (2000). Herbal Medicine (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Thieme.
http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall%2003%20project/nettle.htm
Huda says
Wow! This is amazing to knOw. Im fortunate enough to not have any allergies but I still appreciate Reading up on it as well as a little background! Its great that its helped you so much!
jessa b. says
i would love to try the tonic tea recipe for pms relief. thanks for the very informative post!
Lydia smith says
This is so helpful. I’m glad I read about the importance of nettle especially when we are out there enjoying the beauty of the flowers. I love the recipe too.
Czjai Reyes-Ocampo says
I had no idea this plant has medicinal benefits. I’ve seen these in my grandma’s garden and all the while i thought it was just some sort of weed.
brie says
I didn’t know about this before but it seems like its really healthy. Thanks for sharing
Ashli Ferguson says
oh wow I didn’t know this! That’s really neat!!
Ahoefa says
I kn no a nettle until my s was born a year ago! Now everytime we go on a hiking trip i see them everywhere!
Lyosha Varezhkina says
This herb looks very interesting! I love the herbal practices and benefits for health but i have never heard of this particular one. thanks for expanding my horizons.
Kalyan Panja says
Nice reading your recipe. I love the fact that it has so many health benefits.
Martha says
I love learning more about herb healing! Thanks for sharing!
alexandra cook says
I didnt know that it has this many benefits, such an informative article it helped me a lot
Shelby says
Interesting! Ive seen this around but never knew it was anything more than just a weed
omoh felix peters says
ilike herbal products they are good though have never really heard of this one thanks