Benefits, healing power & side effects of nettle - recipes, treatments, experiences

Benefits, healing power & side effects of nettle - recipes, treatments, experiences

Stinging nettle is one of the best-known herbs in Germany. But what many people don't know is that it is full of nutrients and is even one of the ingredients in homemade pregnancy tea. However, the benefits of nettle extend far beyond pregnancy.

What is nettle?

nettle ( Urtica dioica) is also known as garden nettle. It is native to Northern Europe and Northern Asia. The nettle plant is herbaceous with fine hairs on the leaves and stems that contain a chemical. This chemical causes skin irritation and pain when it comes into contact with the skin – hence the name “nettle.” If you've ever weeded the yard or looked for wildflowers, you've probably discovered this yourself! Nettle no longer causes a rash when cooked or otherwise processed (you can also just buy it and skip the stinging!). Nettle has been used in traditional medicine to support:

• Wunden
• Haare und Kopfhaut
• Psychische Gesundheit
• Frauengesundheit
• Männer Gesundheit
• Schmerzlinderung
• Saisonale Allergien
• Beschwerden und Schmerzen
• Ausscheidung und Entgiftung (Leber, Verdauung, Harn)

Not all of these traditional uses have been studied, but there is a wealth of long-standing anecdotal evidence.

Health Benefits of Nettle

Nutrients

Nettle contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that support the body, such as:

• Vitamin A.
• B-Vitamine
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K.
• Kalzium
• Eisen
• Magnesium
• Phosphor
• Kalium
• Natrium
• Polyphenole
• Beta-Carotin

The most interesting thing is that nettle contains both fats and amino acids (very rare in a plant)! This makes it a revered survival food. It's a great tea for camping or backpacking, especially if you're looking for it yourself.

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Anti-inflammatory drug

Nettle has anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve pain. Some 2013 research shows that there are many plant foods that are anti-inflammatory, including nettle. The researchers report that more research is needed, but some preliminary research appears to support how nettle was traditionally used. Another 2013 study shows that nettle has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties due to its wide range of phytochemicals. Many have had good experiences using dried nettle in a cream or poultice for back pain and other mild joint pain.

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Metabolic support

Metabolic problems (heart, blood sugar, thyroid, etc.) are becoming more and more common today. According to research, nettle may be helpful in supporting metabolic health. A 2013 in Clinical Laboratory published study found that patients with type 2 diabetes saw an improvement in their blood sugar after using nettle extract for three months.

The study above did not determine why nettle might have this effect on the body, but another study from 2013 did. According to this in Phytotherapy Research published study can mimic insulin.

The heart is another important part of the metabolic processes in the body. Research shows that nettle can have a vasorelaxant effect. This means that nettle can help reduce tension in the heart muscle and lower high blood pressure.

According to a 2014 study on rats, nettle is also helpful in supporting the pancreas. The researchers found a “statistically significant” difference between the rats in the control group and those given nettle.

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Antimicrobial

Traditionally, nettle is used topically on wounds and it looks like science supports this. Stinging nettle showed potent antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria, according to a 2018 review. Remember that nettle should be processed before applying to a wound to avoid the famous sting! It is best to use dried nettle infused into an oil (olive oil works well), either directly on the skin or in food. You can also make a nettle tincture (but use the dried herb).

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Women's Health

There is not much scientific data on how nettle can improve women's health. However, because nettle contains so many nutrients, it makes sense that it has long been used in pregnancy tea to provide nutritional support during pregnancy. There are many positive reports about this.

Nettle has also traditionally been used to support milk supply (probably for the same nutritional reason), making it a common women's herb.

However, there is some controversy over its use during pregnancy, as some herbalists believe it can stimulate contractions. We therefore tend to agree with the view of Aviva Romm to avoid herbs in the first trimester and then use herbs that have been scientifically or historically proven to be safe (such as nettle).

Prostate health

Nettle may also help with prostate health. It is commonly used in Europe for enlarged prostate-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It helps with symptoms such as reduced urine flow, incomplete bladder emptying, and post-urination dripping. However, it does not affect the size of the prostate. Because of this finding, researchers are unsure how nettle helps, according to Penn State Hershey.

In addition, nettle can be a promising aid for prostate cancer. A 2000 study found that nettle root extract may help prevent the spread of prostate cancer. Further research is needed to investigate this effect, but the results are promising.

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Hair and scalp health

One of the most well-known uses of nettle is to support hair and scalp health. The appearance of an herb is believed to provide a clue as to how it may be beneficial to the body. In this case, the fine hairs on the nettle show that it is good for your hair and scalp!

Regardless of whether these old women's story is true or not, it seems to be true that nettle has a place in hair and scalp support. A study published in 2011 found that hair loss and baldness are often caused by inflammatory damage to the hair follicle. Because nettle has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce the inflammation that causes hair loss and hair follicle damage.

Additionally, a study published in 2017 found that nettle can improve scalp blood flow and hair growth. It also concludes that nettle “may help prevent hair from falling out.” Compounds in nettle block the overproduction of testosterone, which can lead to hair loss problems. These same compounds can help increase production of a protein that stimulates hair growth.

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Allergy support

Nettle is often used to help with hay fever and other mild allergies. Researchers found that nettle works better than a placebo in people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever). A more recent study in 2009 found that this is likely due to nettle affecting key receptors and enzymes related to allergies. In other words, it can act as an antihistamine.

How to use nettle

There are many ways to use nettle at home. Yes, nettle stings the skin when touched, but processed nettle by drying or cooking is not a problem.

Here are some ways it can be used:

• Kulinarisch – Da Brennnessel viele Nährstoffe enthält, ist sie eine großartige Ergänzung zu einer Mahlzeit. Sie können es getrocknet verwenden oder kochen und es einem Rezept hinzufügen, dem Sie andere Kräuter hinzufügen (essen Sie es nicht roh).
• Multivitamin – Manche Menschen betrachten Brennnesseltee sogar als eine Form eines täglichen Vitamins. Fügen Sie Brennnessel zu einer anderen Teemischung hinzu oder brauen Sie sie selbst für eine tägliche Infusion von Nährstoffen.
• Unterstützung bei Erkältung und Grippe – Während einer Erkältung empfiehlt sich Brennnesseltee wegen seiner Nährstoffe, da das Essen schwierig sein kann.
• Erste Hilfe – Getrocknete Brennnessel kann als Umschlag für kleine Wunden verwendet werden, um Infektionen zu bekämpfen.
• Entzündliche Schmerzen – Bei Problemen wie Arthritis und Gelenkschmerzen empfehlen Kräuterkenner, in der Nähe der Schmerzen frische Brennnessel auf der Haut zu verwenden. Das Stechen soll helfen, die Schmerzen bei Arthritis zu lindern. Für die meisten von uns mag das nicht nach Spaß klingen, aber es scheint zu funktionieren!
• Haarpflege – Sie können Wasser oder Essig mit Brennnessel als Haarspülung zu verwenden.
• Allergien und allergische Reaktionen – Verbrauchen Sie vor der Allergiesaison 2-3 Monate lang täglich Brennnesseltee oder Tinktur, um Allergien zu vermeiden. Brennnessel ist auch hilfreich bei Giftefeu, da Brennnessel als Antihistaminikum wirkt.
• Allgemeine Gesundheit – Wenn Sie Brennnessel für die Gesundheit von Frauen, die Gesundheit der Prostata oder einige andere Zwecke verwenden möchten, beginnen Sie mit einem Brennnesseltee oder einer Tinktur. Sie können auch Kapseln nehmen oder getrocknete Brennnesseln zu Elektuar machen (wie Hustenbonbons).

Nettle safety and side effects

Nettle is generally considered safe. As mentioned earlier, some herbalists disagree with the use of nettles during pregnancy. The herbalist Michael Moore states in his book  Medicinal Plants of the Mountain Westnoted that fresh nettles should be avoided by pregnant women as it can cause “uterine agitation.” It is unclear whether it would be safer processed. It's always a good idea to check with your midwife or doctor to see if nettle is safe for you.

If you are taking medications or other supplements or have a medical condition, it is best to consult your doctor before using nettle. There may be some interactions if you are taking medications for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, or if you are taking blood thinners.

Where to get nettle

Nettle comes in both root and leaf form and even in powdered leaf form, which is great to add to smoothies. Here are some common ways to sell nettle:

• Pulverisiert
• Llose getrocknete Blätter für die Herstellung von Tee oder Tinkturen
• In Teebeuteln
• Als vorgefertigte Tinktur
• In einer Kapsel
• In einer Salbe
• Für Haare – in Wellnesse Shampoo und Conditioner

Our recommendation for nettle capsules: (link removed)

Our recommendation for nettle ointment/cream: (link removed)

Our 2nd recommendation for nettle capsules: (link removed)

Our recommendation for nettle tincture: (link removed)

Our recommendation for nettle hair care: (link removed)

If you're brave enough to handle the sting, you can also try harvesting it yourself (make sure you're 100% sure it's an herb before eating).

This article was written by Dr. Betsy Greenleaf, the first board-certified urogynecologist in the United States. She is a double specialist in obstetrics and gynecology as well as female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

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