Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is native to Europe and Asia and grows widely throughout the United States. It is a perennial, 2-4 feet tall, and prefers to grow in moist, rich soil and partial shade in forests and along streams. and stinging nettle stems, which contain acetylcholine, formic acid, and other compounds that cause a stinging sensation “https://e-info.vn/tag/flowering-plantae”>let the flower bloom.
Nutritional-value nettles
Fresh nettle can be steamed-vegetables”>steamed-vegetables”>steamed-vegetables, and as a vegetable, like spinach like, or put into soups. Nettle tea is made by pouring dried nettle leaves into hot water. When the leaves and stems are boiled or dried, the stimulus is destroyed and does not hurt to touch. Nettle is high in nutritional value and contains several minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, boron and silicon, as well as vitamins A, B complex and beta-carotene.
Nettle has traditionally been used as a spring tonic to detoxify and revitalize the body after the long winter months.
Medicinal PropertiesStinging Nettle
Nettle has many medicinal properties. Its anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial for lung congestion, cough and bronchitis. It also has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory activity that helps to relieve the symptoms of asthma and hayfever. Its anti-inflammatory action, as well as the high amounts of boron and silicon, help in reducing swelling and , the pain associated with arthritis , tendonitis and bursitis. The calcium and boron in nettle also strengthen the bones, helping with osteoporosis.
The urinary properties of nettle make it useful for relieving excessive water retention. Because it promotes a fuller emptying of the bladder during the day, it is necessary to reduce it during the night and reduce the urine and help relieve the sweat juice.
Nettle root has been shown to relieve the symptoms of benign-prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland in men.
Drinking nettle tea is beneficial for hair and skin, and helps clear up skin conditions such as scabies. It can be used externally as an astringent for the face or added to homemade shampoo and conditioners.
The sting of the nettle is also sometimes considered to have medicinal properties. Stinging is the process of gently hitting an area of the body with a fresh stinging nettle. Why would anyone want to do this? Nettle acts as an anti-irritant. According to the University of Maryland Medical website, if stinging nettle is applied to the skin in a painful area, such as a joint, which is swollen and painful due to arthritis, the pain will be reduced to the original. This is thought to be due to a reduction in the body’s inflammatory chemicals and by changing the way pain signals are transmitted. In his book, Medical Herbalism, herbalist David Hoffman states that this treatment will reduce stiffness and swelling for several days.
Disclaimers and Precautions
Since stinging nettles irritate the urine, it can increase the effects of diuretic medications. Stinging nettle can lowering-blood-pressure”>lower blood sugar and lower blood pressure, like medications taken for diabetes and prevent high blood pressure. Nettle also affects blood clotting, and prevents bleeding.
This information is for educational purposes only. If you have health concerns, see your healthcare provider.
Sources:
Hoffman, David. Medical Herbalism. Medical Arts Press, 2003.
Duke, James A. Herbal Handbook of Green Pharmacy. St. Martin Paperback, 2000
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/stinging-nettle-000275.htm
http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Nettle.html
