Stinging, Yet Healthy: The Medicinal Benefits of Nettles
Known for its sting, nettle is rich in vitamins and minerals, and tastes great in salad. Is it also a medicinal herb? The answer is a resounding yes. Remember to clean the leaves to avoid insects.
Many of us are familiar with nettle growing in open fields and roadsides, even if not by name, then by its unpleasant stinging touch. Can such an unpleasant plant be a medicinal herb? Well, the answer is a resounding yes.
This plant serves as an important herbal medicine with a wide variety of uses. It contains various vitamins and minerals, especially iron, silica (a mineral vital for strong bones, healthy skin, joint health, and more), and vitamin C. As such, it can be used in cases of anemia and various nutritional deficiencies, such as hair loss. Nettle has a diuretic property and research has shown it encourages the excretion of uric acid, which accumulates in the body in certain conditions, leading to joint pain, gout, and other issues. Its diuretic property is also significant for conditions of excess body fluids, such as high blood pressure, edema, etc. Nettle also supports breast milk production and lactation.
Nettle has additional medicinal uses. It can clean the blood and remove toxins. It is anti-inflammatory and is mainly used to treat infections and inflammations of the urinary tract. It is particularly indicated for allergic skin inflammations (atopic dermatitis), urticria, various respiratory allergies, hay fever, runny nose, sneezing, sinusitis, asthma, dry cough, and more. It also helps with benign prostate enlargement and other properties.
The main problem is that picking the leaves can cause a sting. Therefore, it's advised to pick the leaves with gloves. Mixing or cooking the leaves neutralizes their sting. Additionally, you can pluck them by gripping the underside.
Nettle leaves can be eaten raw in a salad and are very tasty, or cooked or infused.
To infuse: Take 50 grams of fresh nettle leaves and place them in a jar. Pour boiling water over them, cover for about 20 minutes, strain, and drink.
Today, you can find nettle in herbal mixes for body cleansing. Nettle is also available in various oils and shampoos, which combine hair and scalp treatment, psoriasis, urticaria, and more. Those who wish to consume the leaves and do not want to pick them can buy them dried in spice stores.
Those taking diuretic drugs should consult a therapist or doctor about using nettle due to its diuretic property.
Eliahu Shechter is an iridologist and natural therapist
