Nettle: Uses and Recipes
Nettle: Uses and Recipes
For many of us, our only experience with nettles comes after a walk in the woods or through an area of undergrowth in an abandoned lot near our house. We first begin to feel an itchy or stinging sensation; then as we look closer we see that small red bumps are appearing in small patches on the affected area. The burning sensation usually lasts a day or even two. Wouldn't we be surprised to know that the remedy for this ailment lies in the juice of the same plant that stung us? Or that, furthermore, this plant is one of the most versatile healing plants, found all over the world?
Nettles have been used for hundreds of years throughout many cultures to treat conditions ranging from reproductive health in women to internal bleeding. In Germany and other places around the world, a tincture of the roots is used to cure prostate issues in men, and a tonic of the leaves to prevent hair loss. It is a common ingredient in other herbal drugs produced in Germany for rheumatic complaints and inflammatory conditions (especially for the lower urinary tract and prostate). A diuretic and a blood cleanser, Urtica dioica, or stinging nettles are used in Brazilian herbal medicine for excessive menstrual bleeding, diarrhea, diabetes, urinary disorders, and respiratory problems including allergies. Externally, an infusion is used for skin problems. In Peru, nettle is used against a variety of complaints such as muscular and arthritis pain, eczema, ulcers, asthma, diabetes, intestinal inflammation, nosebleeds, and rheumatism. Externally it is used for inflammations, sciatica, wounds, and head lice. In traditional Native American medicine, many remarkable healing properties are attributed to nettle, and as in many traditional cultures, the leaf is utilized for different problems than the root. The leaf is used here as a diuretic, for arthritis, prostatitis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, and allergic rhinitis. The root is recommended as a diuretic, for relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and other prostate problems, and as a natural remedy to treat or prevent baldness.
The common nettle is one of some 500 species that can be found growing in temperate regions throughout the northern hemisphere, southern Africa, the Andes, and Australia. Young shoots are picked in spring for use as a tonic, a tea, and a vegetable. The flowers are harvested in May and June in the Northern Hemisphere, and the roots are unearthed in the fall, however, the plant is not good to eat in the fall for the leaves become gritty due to a high concentration of crystals in the leaves.
The plant is also harvested in the fall for the fibers, which have been used to make cloth for hundreds of years. In Northern Europe before the introduction of hemp and flax, nettle was the main plant fiber used in the production of everything from sailcloth to fine linen, as well as fishing nets.
SEASONAL ALLERGIES, RHINITIS, AND SINUSITIS
A randomized double-blind study was performed on nettle in 1990 which confirmed its traditional uses for allergies and rhinitis (a common inflammatory disorder that causes sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy skin and often triggered by allergies). In this study with 69 patients, nettle extract rated much higher than a placebo: 58% reported it relieved most all their symptoms and 48% stated it was more effective than other over-the-counter medications.
It was still being confirmed as a beneficial treatment for rhinitis 10 years later when researchers then suggested that a sort of inflammatory immune cell suppression was responsible for the documented effects.
RHEUMATISM
Nettle's long-standing use as an anti-inflammatory aid for rheumatism and arthritis has been confirmed with clinical research. In several clinical studies (including a randomized double-blind placebo trial) nettle leaf extracts were documented to have an anti-inflammatory effect as well as to be beneficial (and better than placebo) at relieving arthritis pain inflammation in humans. Research suggests that nettle's anti-inflammatory actions are attributed to its ability to interrupt the production and actions of inflammation-producing immune cells in the body. (See above)
In many traditional cultures, but also among Greeks and Romans, the practice of urtification, was common. A practice that involves voluntarily stinging oneself, or in some cultures flogging, with nettles: the process causes intense irritation to the skin as it is stung by the nettles. It is believed that this treatment works in two ways. Firstly, it acts as a counter-irritant, bringing more blood to the area to help remove the toxins that cause rheumatism. Secondly, the formic acid from the nettles is believed to have a beneficial effect on the rheumatic joints. If stinging oneself is too extreme a treatment, a tea of the leaves is effective in treating rheumatism. The leaves can be purchased dried and sometimes ground throughout the year at health food stores or harvested fresh in the spring. Be sure to cover your hands with gloves and use metal tongs in handling and washing the nettles. Once the boiling water is poured over them their stings are rendered harmless, steep the tea for several minutes before drinking.
BPH AND PROSTATITIS
Prostate inflammation (prostatitis) and BPH or benign prostate hyperplasia are two different prostate conditions that have both been found to be helped by the use of nettle. In more than 20 clinical studies thus far, nettle root (and nettle combined with other herbs) has demonstrated an improvement in clinical symptoms in BPH and prostatitis. (Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues usually caused by bacteria. BPH is an age-related enlargement of the prostate gland due to increased numbers of cells triggered to grow in the prostate.) While nettle's benefit for prostatitis is probably related to its anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in arthritis and rhinitis research, its effect on BPH is quite different - it works on a hormonal level. Basically, most all of the complex intercellular processes required to trigger the prostate to grow new cells and enlarge seem to be inhibited by nettle. This is great news for men suffering from BPH (and there are millions)! Studies have confirmed these effects and benefits. In one study, a nettle root extract was shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cells by 30% in five days. This same hormone suppression is said to prevent/cure baldness and interestingly, a U.S. patent has recently been filed on an herbal combination containing nettle root for the treatment of male pattern baldness. More research is sure to follow, as this is a highly popular and profitable area of research.
Nutritionally the nettle is an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, iron, and numerous trace elements as well as a range of vitamins. The young shoots can be used in soups and stews and in place of spinach.
Both the root and the leaves are traditionally prepared as infusions. Dosages depend on what one is taking it for. In herbal medicine systems, as healthy prevention of prostate difficulties or to maintain prostate health, one-half cup of a root infusion 2-3 times weekly is recommended. The natural remedy for BPH is one-half cup of a root infusion 2-3 times daily for 30-90 days. For allergies, inflammation, and hypertension: one cup of a leaf infusion is taken twice daily in traditional medicine systems. This also can be substituted by taking 3-4 g of leaf tablets/capsules twice daily.