Botanical Profile: Stinging Nettle
Urtica Diocia (Urticaceae) The nettle plant as a whole- roots, stem, and leaves, has been examined to have many powerful, positive benefits to offer the human body. It makes a great cleansing spring tonic and a nourishing vegetable if gathered when the leaves are young. AERIAL PARTS: Nettles are a good tonic for anemia; the high Vitamin C content in the plant helps insure that the iron is properly absorbed by the body. It clears uric acid from the system to relieve gout and arthritis and their astringency stops bleeding. Nettles "sting" because of histamine and formic acid in the hairs that trigger the familiar allergic response. Although it opens up constricted passages in the body which help overall flow systemically. COMPOUNDS: Nettle contains prostaglandins which have properties that support resistance to redness and irritation. Nettle leaf also contains high levels of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and beta-carotene and high amounts of the vitamins A, C, D, and B complex. CHARACTER: Cool, Dry, Astringent, slightly bitter taste.
ACTIONS: Astringent, Diuretic, Tonic, Nutritive, Stops bleeding, Circulatory stimulant, promotes milk flow, lowers blood sugar levels, prevents scurvy, etc. FORMS: 1. Fresh, dried leaf, or freeze dried leaf. 2. Extracts. 3. Capsules or tablets. 4. Tinctures. 5. Tea, juice or smoothies.
BENEFITS: The benefits of stinging nettle are so many that you too will lose count. It is a diuretic; it is used to treat anemia, and it is used for arthritis and rheumatism. Stinging nettles are also used for respiratory and urinary problems. It aids in the recovery of eczema, asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis. It protects against skin disorders and aides in the treatment of benign prostate. It diminishes susceptibility to colds. It is also a good deterrent for pests in the gardens.
EDIBLE PARTS: Leaves, stems and roots. Young leaves are preferable however, no matter how far into the growing season be sure to remember that until dried, blended/juiced, steamed/cooked, stinging nettle leaves will have contain the stinging hairs. Nettle tea made from the root can help urinary ailments. Tea made from the leaves is rich in iron and can aid coagulation and the formation of hemoglobin. You can find Stinging Nettle in the following Dr. Morse formulas: Bleeding
