Nettle (Urtica Dioica) or more commonly Stinging Nettle has been used for centuries to treat a range of aliments. This amazing plant is packed with vitamins and minerals and is often overlooked as a pesky garden weed. The entire plant is of value including the leaves, roots, stems and flowers.
The plant gets its name from the fine hairs all over the leaves that act like needles piercing the skin and releasing its venom when touched. Soaking Stinging Nettle in water or cooking removes the stinging chemicals from the plant, which allows them to be handled and eaten without injury.
Nettle contains vitamins A, B complex, C, E & K and also the following minerals: calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium and sulfur. Hence why I call Nettles a natural multivitamin.
In ancient times, Stinging Nettle was used mainly as a diuretic and laxative but now we use to treat a wide range of conditions. For example Nettle’s ability to clear uric acid from the body and cleanse the blood makes it a wonderful remedy for eczema, gout, arthritis and kidney stones. It is also used as an anodyne to relieve the pain of burns and scalds.
Nettles high Iron content and presence of vitamin C make it a great aid for people who are Anaemic or those recovering from chronic illness.
The Nettle leaf however is useful to correct symptoms of gastrointestinal excess, such as gas, nausea and mucus colitis. Studies have also found evidence of freeze-dried nettle leaf effectively treating hayfever, asthma, seasonal allergies and hives. This is especially good news since we are deep in spring when allergies tend to become most active.
Nettle can be consumed as a tea, added to your next green smoothie or even as the key ingredient in a great soup. However you choose to include this powerful plant into your life, your body will love you for it.
Note of Cautions: If you are taking lithium, warfarin, high blood pressure medication, anti-diabetes drugs, sedatives or tranquilisers (CNS depressants), Nettle can interact with these medications so caution is advised.