Nettle: A Wild Medicinal Plant with Numerous Uses

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Greetings and welcome! On this occasion, I would like to share with you a plant I have used since I began my journey in herbalism back in 2006. Nettle (Urtica dioica), is undoubtedly one of my favorite plants. This plant, which belongs to the Urticaceae family, grows as a weed, is easy to identify, has various uses, and provides numerous health benefits. Continue reading for more information.

Identification of Nettle

As mentioned, nettle is easy to identify. It grows around the world and is found in wooded and humid areas. It is a wild plant, although it can also be cultivated. To identify nettle, look for the following characteristics:

Appearance: dark green, serrated, oval leaves, hairy green or reddish stem

Stinging hairs: the leaves and stem are covered with fine, thin hairs. It should be handled with caution as these contain a urticant chemical that causes skin irritation and itching

Aroma: similar to freshly cut grass

Flowering: blooms in summer and autumn, its flowers are small and pale green

Constituents of Nettle

Vitamins and minerals: Nettle is rich in nutrients, including vitamins A, C, K, iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Flavonoids: Nettle contains several flavonoids, such as quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Lectins: Lectins are proteins that bind to carbohydrates and can have beneficial effects on the immune system.

Linoleic acid: Nettle contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that may have benefits for heart health and skin.

Histamine: Nettle also contains histamine. It is believed that histamine in nettle may have anti-inflammatory properties and improve immune response.

Polysaccharides: Nettle contains polysaccharides, which are carbohydrate compounds that may have prebiotic effects in the gut and improve digestive health.

Actions of Nettle

Anti-inflammatory: Nettle has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, tendinitis, and bursitis.

Diuretic: Nettle can increase urine production and help eliminate excess fluids from the body. This makes it useful in the treatment of high blood pressure and fluid retention.

Antihistamine: Nettle can help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and hay fever, by blocking the release of histamine.

Hemostatic: Nettle can help stop bleeding by increasing blood coagulation.

Hypoglycemic: Nettle can reduce blood sugar levels, making it useful in the treatment of diabetes.

Antioxidant: Nettle contains antioxidant compounds that help protect the body’s cells against damage caused by free radicals.

Galactagogue: Nettle can increase the production of breast milk in lactating women.

It is important to note that nettle can have side effects and can interact with certain medications. Therefore, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional before using it as a treatment.

Health Benefits

Women’s Health

The components in nettle make it a women’s health ally at all stages. It helps alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (Bhusal et al., 2021) such as abdominal pain, bloating, and irritability. It regulates the menstrual cycle and prevents irregularities. It increases the production of breast milk in lactating women (Bhusal et al., 2021). During pregnancy, it helps maintain optimal levels of iron. Of course, like many other medicinal herbs, it should be limited to culinary amounts unless under the supervision of a duly certified professional. Additionally, It improves symptoms of menopause such as night sweats (Kargozar et al., 2019) and loss of bone density (Irgin et al., 2016).

Men’s Health

Nettle can reduce and prevent symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) such as prostate enlargement (Singh & Sengar, 2021) and urinary problems. Studies have shown that nettle increases testosterone levels (Sharp et al., 2018) in the body, which can improve sexual health and increase muscle mass.

Inflammatory Diseases

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of nettle help reduce and prevent symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis (Bhusal et al., 2021).

Chronic Diseases

The antioxidant properties in nettle help prevent damage caused by free radicals, thus reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (Bhusal et al., 2021).

Skin and Hair Health

Nettle can help improve skin health and prevent skin disorders such as acne and dermatitis due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Bhusal et al., 2021). Its nourishing and strengthening properties contribute to stronger hair and hair loss prevention (Singh & Sengar, 2021).

Nettle Uses

Medical uses

Nettle is a medicinal plant that has been used since ancient times to treat various health conditions, including arthritis, muscle pain, high blood pressure, fluid retention, allergies, anemia, diabetes, skin disorders, and menstrual disorders, among others.

Culinary uses

Young nettle leaves can be cooked and used as a nutritious and tasty leafy vegetable. They can also be used to make soups, salads, pesto, teas, and other dishes.

Cosmetic uses

Nettle can be used to make natural cosmetic products for skin and hair care. For example, it can be used as an ingredient in shampoos and conditioners to strengthen hair and prevent hair loss.

Use as an insecticide

Nettle can be used to make a natural insecticide to protect garden plants from pests such as mites and aphids.

Use as fertilizer

Nettle can be used to make nutrient-rich natural fertilizers for plants.

Use in organic farming

Nettle can be used as a cover crop to improve soil fertility and reduce erosion.

In summary, there are many ways to incorporate nettle into your diet, personal care, and daily life. It is important to note that nettle can cause discomfort if not handled properly. Also, remember to consult with a certified professional before using it as a treatment, particularly if you are pregnant or taking medication.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media and visit the Lam Apothecary Store where you can find nettle and much more. Stay tuned for recipes.

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References

Bhusal, K. K., Magar, S. K., Thapa, R., Lamsal, A., Bhandari, S., Maharjan, R., Shrestha, S., & Shrestha, J. (2021). Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 8, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-021-00089-7

Irgin, C., Çörekçi, B., Ozan, F., Halicioğlu, K., Toptaş, O., Birinci Yildirim, A., Türker, A., & Yilmaz, F. (2016). Does stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) have an effect on bone formation in the expanded inter-premaxillary suture?. Archives of Oral Biology, 68, 22-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2016.05.003

Kargozar, R., Salari, R., Jarahi, L., Yousefi, M., Pourhoseini, S. A., Sahebkar-Khorasani, M., & Azizi, H. (2019). Urtica dioica in comparison with placebo and acupuncture: A new possibility for menopausal hot flashes: A randomized clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 44, 51-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.04.003

Sharp, M. H., Shields, K. A., Rauch, J. T., Lowery, R. P., Durkee, S. E., Wilson, G. J., & De Souza, E. O. (2018). The Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Performance Supplement on Hormonal Profiles and Body Composition in Male College Athletes. Sports, 6(3), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6030085

Singh, M., & Sengar, B. (2021). Urtica dioica L. (Stinging Nettle): Morphological, Phytochemical, Cultivation Practices and Biological Potential: A Review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 10(5), 3342-3351.