Nettle is a wild plant and is used in natural medicine. It’s also been used for a long time in detoxifying soups and other preparations. This article will tell you all about the health benefits of nettle and how to use it.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a wild medicinal plant found in wet climates. You can also grow it yourself at home. It is used as a natural remedy for various health issues, both topically and orally. Additionally, it works as a fertilizer and insecticide.
This medicinal plant is a powerhouse, full of vitamin A, B complex, C, and E, as well as minerals (magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc). It also contains potent elements like chlorophyll, mucilage, flavonoids, and fiber. The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves, while sometimes the roots are used as well. You can use it fresh or dried.
Can I pick it myself?
The most important tip for picking nettle is to always stay away from areas treated with pesticides. Also, very important is to wear gloves if you’re going to do it yourself, otherwise it will sting.
You can pick it all year round, but the best time of year is from spring to autumn. Pick just the upper leaves, about 4 or 5 of them; these are the most tender. If you’re going to be handling it, wait 12 hours for the stinging effect to go away.
The Amazing Health Benefits of Nettle
1. Detox
Nettle will help remove toxins from your body, cleansing your blood and improving liver function.
2. Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties of nettle make it an excellent treatment for all kinds of pain. Two effective ways of using it are to consume it or to apply it topically to the affected area.
3. Anti-anemia
Thanks to its iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and many other nutrients, nettle is perfect if you have anemia. You can also take advantage of it to prevent other fatigue-related symptoms.
4. Antioxidant
Nettle contains antioxidants, and antioxidants prevent or slow down the cellular aging that free radicals cause. You’ll see the effects of this both internally and externally.
5. Lowers blood sugar
It has a hypoglycemic effect. In other words, it helps lower high blood sugar levels.
6. For your skin
Consuming or applying nettle to your skin in the form of masks or compresses will help purify your skin. On a related note, it can prevent disorders like acne, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
7. For your hair
Nettle treats dandruff, regulates the production of oil, and prevents hair loss. In fact, you can use nettle tea concentrate to lighten your hair after washing it with your regular shampoo. Alternatively, you can look for products in the store that contain the plant.
8. Pain-reliever
Nature gave us a pain reliever in the form of this powerful plant. You can use nettle for joint and muscle pain in particular.
9. Diuretic
Because of its diuretic power, nettle will flush excess fluids from your body and help your body detox itself. As a result, it can prevent gout and urinary infections.
10. Expectorant
Drinking nettle tea or having it in soup form will break up mucus in your throat when you have a cold or the flu.
11. For breastfeeding
When a lactating woman consumes nettle, it stimulates the production of milk. However, experts do not recommend it during pregnancy because it can induce uterine activity.
12. Fights constipation
This wild plant stimulates peristaltic movement. It gets your intestines moving and helps your digestive system work like it should. Therefore, it’s a great way to treat constipation without irritating your intestines like conventional laxatives usually do.
How do I use nettle?
- Tea: Make a tea out of the leaves — but don’t let it boil.
- Soup: It’s the traditional detox soup, which is very nutritious as well.
- Salads and juice: Consume it raw by adding it to your salads or smoothies.
- Supplement: If you want to target a particular health issue, we recommend taking it in capsule form.
Via: OrganicFacts | Top10HomeRemedies
