The plant has a very fine, thin hair around its stem and leaves, which are painful to touch and sting badly. That is where the name stinging nettle comes from. But once you look beyond the stinging, the nettle leaf is filled with nutrients which can give your body a ‘sting’ of good health.
It is a good source of iron, potassium, manganese, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium, and sulfur.
It has high amount of proteins and amino acids. Stinging Nettle is rich in Vitamin A, C, D and K. It is also rich in Vitamin B.
TREATS HAIR LOSS PROBLEM
Using stinging nettle is one of the oldest treatments for combating hair loss. Stinging nettle tea can be consumed to treat hair loss internally while a good scalp massage using nettle oil combats hair loss effectively.
HELPS IN HAIR
RE-GROWTH
Not only does stinging nettle help to combat hair loss, it also helps in hair re-growth. Nettle leaves are rich in silica and sulfur. This helps in making hair shinier and healthier. Rinsing hair with nettle extracts and water results in re-growth of lost hair and also helps in restoring the original hair color.
TREATS DANDRUFF
Massaging your scalp with coconut or mustard oil infused with dried nettle leaves and leaving it overnight is a very effective treatment for dandruff. Juice extracted by crushing fresh nettle leaves is also massaged onto the scalp to treat dandruff.
TREATS ARTHRITIC PAIN
Stinging nettle has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a good cure for arthritic pain. It also treats other joint related diseases like rheumatism, gout, bursitis, and tendonitis.
Nettle juice or nettle oil rubbed and massaged over the joints relieves the pain. Nettle tincture and tea consumed orally also helps to alleviate the pain.
HELPS IN
TREATING ACNE
Dried nettle leaves are used externally and topically for treating acne and blemishes. Dried Nettle leaf extracts are also used as a skin tonic for oily, acne-prone skin as it not only helps in reducing acne but also does that without leaving any scars or blemishes behind.
**Astringent Properties:-
Nettle leaves have astringent properties, which helps in treating skin diseases like eczema, insect bites and chicken pox. Its extract or an oil concoction prepared with nettle leaves can be applied topically to treat eczema.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Nettle leaves have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for treating skin burns and reducing the burn scars.
TREATS ECZEMA
Consuming nettle leaf tea regularly helps in curing many stubborn skin diseases including eczema.
Drink 2-3 cups of nettle tea a day, which will cleanse your body of toxins and unmask the beautiful you.
You can also apply the tincture of nettle leaf topically for quick healing of patchy rashes that accompany eczema.
HELOS BENIGN PROSTATE:- HYPERPLASIA (BPH)
Stinging nettle is used in medicines for the treatment of BPH and other prostate related diseases.
Though research has found out that nettle does not effectively reduce the size of an already enlarged prostate, it is effective in reducing and treating the disease in its early stage when symptoms begin to show.
This herb helps in stopping cell growth and division around the area and helps to improve prostate health.
TREATS URINARY TRACT INFECTION
Stinging nettle has diuretic properties and aids in urination.
It is used in the treatment of urinary tract infection, bladder infection and other urinary problems caused due to kidney and bladder stones as it breaks down the stones into minuscule sizes and flushes them out with urine. It is also helpful in treating diarrhea and dysentery.
EDUCES ALLERGIES
The leaves of stinging nettle plant can be used to treat and relieve allergies. It is believed that consuming stinging nettle leaf before meals can cure food sensitivities.
Nettle has anti-histamine properties, which act against the histamine present in the body and also against the allergic rhinitis.
These leaves are helpful in treating seasonal allergies, fever, coughs, flu, sneezing, hives and asthma.
STIMULATES THE LIBIDO
Stinging nettle acts as a libido stimulant as it increases testosterone level and also helps the body in retaining it for a long period. It is an effective remedy for improving your sex drive naturally
ACTS AS A STYPTIC
Nettle is also known for its styptic properties that act as an arrestor of local bleeding.
It helps with internal bleeding like excessive menstruation, vaginal bleeding, hemorrhoids, lung and stomach bleeding, and bleeding piles formed in the body. It also helps in stopping external bleeding like nosebleeds.
ACTS AS A BLOOD BUILDER
Nettle leaf is used for treating anemia as it is high in iron. It is known for its blood building and blood purifying properties. Consuming a bowl of nettle soup regularly is a good remedy for treating anemia and also for lowering blood sugar levels.
HELPS WITH WOMEN RELATED PROBLEMS
Women are advised to consume nettle regularly.
It is not only effective for skin and hair, but also prevents and cures many women-related issues. Nettle helps in relieving PMS pain and strain, as well as menopausal pain.
It is also known to help in easing labor and can be used by women to help with breastfeeding by increasing lactation.
ABSORBS DIETARY FATS
Apart from antioxidants, the nettle tea also contains other health benefiting compounds such as beta-sitosterol that absorbs dietary fats present in the blood. This helps to keep the cholesterol levels in check and keeps heart disease at bay.
PROTECTS DNA FROM DAMAGE
Our varying food habits introduce toxins into our body. These toxins can damage the DNA and cellular membranes.
The antioxidants present in nettle leaf remove these toxins, damage-causing free radicals and protect our DNA and cellular membranes. **Reduces Muscle Pain:- Nettle leaf contains certain components that have great healing and rejuvenating properties. Sports persons will vouch for this leaf that can treat muscle pain caused due to straining and over stretching.
TREATS URINARY TRACT DISORDERS
For people suffering from urinary tract disorders, nettle leaf works like a wonder medicine.
According to a study nettle leaves contain certain components that flushes toxins from the body and helps to support the medication used to treat urinary tract disorders.
WORKS AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE
A single cup of tea made from nettle leaf consists of several health-boosting components and it is recommend as a preventive remedy against common cold and flu.
If you can manage to gulp a few cups of the leaf boiled in water, you can improve your body’s immunity and keep several ailments at bay.
Nettle is beneficial to the endocrine system.
Nettle leaf is a good source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, which makes it anti-tumor and helps in treating neoplastic diseases.
It is known to stimulate digestive glands and helps in treating indigestion and gas problems.
Nettle tea is used to gargle for treating mouth and throat infections.
It is used to cure Alzheimer’s disease.
It is beneficial in treating congestion, cough, bronchitis and other chronic cardiovascular diseases.
It is known to kill intestinal worms and parasites.
Rinsing mouth with nettle water acts as anti-bacterial and prevents gingivitis, mouth and other gum diseases.
Nettle leaf also improves immunity and helps to cure hypertension.
HOW NETTLE LEAF
IS USED
Stinging nettle is used in many varied ways.
It is used as food, medicines, skin and hair treatments, fiber, dyes, etc. Nettle is used in the preparation of nettle tea, tincture, nettle soup, nettle puree and chutneys.
Its extracts, tonics and dried leaves are used for beauty treatments.
Nettle is also used in the preparation of many capsules and tablets as it is useful in treating many diseases.
So, now you know what nettle leaf is good for and how it is used.
Let’s look into its side effects.
NETTLE LEAF SIDE EFFECTS
Nettle leaf is legendary for its benefits . But the beneficial herb also has its side effects. The nettle leaf side effects are directly related to their combination with other drugs and also with the health condition of individuals.
Nettle leaf is known to increase blood pressure. So it can have adverse effect on people suffering from high blood pressure. It is a powerful diuretic, which, if combined with other diuretic drugs can result in dehydration.
Some studies have also shown that nettle leaf can interfere with the blood-thinning drugs and prevent them from treating blood clots. The most important thing to keep in mind while dealing with nettle leaves is the stinging effect caused by the needle-like hairs on the herb.
It is advised to wear gloves and full sleeved clothes when you go about picking nettle leaves to avoid this sting. The leaves lose the sting when they are boiled and dried.
Though this herb is great for skin, hair and overall health, nettle is best taken under the supervision of a doctor.
It is fine to use nettle in cooking, but too much consumption of even the nettle soup or tea can have adverse effects. So, play safe and consult your doctor before you start using nettle.
Now I believe we all know the health benefits of the stinging Nettle. This is where we would be stopping this week.
As we say good bye, remember we are in the last month of the year ….so why not make it a duty to stay healthy through, lifestyle changes, healthy living and eating .It’s never too late .. Engage in exercises and don’t forget, discipline is the watch-word for a healthy life.
Stay away from junk food , practice lifestyle changes, eat healthy, take lots of fruits, fibre, nuts and water while also ensuring that you sleep well. Life is Beautiful so live well, love life and enjoy it.
Till I come your way again next week… I remain yours in good health, .. Oluwabukunolami.
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Pls note, I am a naturalist and not a herbalist… God bless you!
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