Nettle Materia Medica

Nettle Materia Medica

Named after the stinging hairs that cover the stem and underside of the leaves, this herb is known for having a myriad of uses.

A favorite of western herbalists, particularly those from the Wise Woman Tradition, nettles are highly nutrient rich, particularly in Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium.
They are quite tasty when cooked or made into a nourishing infusion, and pack more of a punch than a bunch of spinach.
Medicinally nettles are relatively neutral in temperature, though a bit drying, making them sutable for all people and almost all conditions.
They are highly anti-inflammatory, making them useful for any type of inflammatroy condititon from allergies to prostate issues.
Topically, fresh nettles have been used for arthritis as the stinging part brings blood to the affected area (somethinG known as a rubefacient), thereby increasing circulation and often relieving pain.
Due to their high nutrient value, nettles are often included in herbal tea blends, regardless of the issue. Many health issues can often be traced back to nutrient deficiencies, even in our modern age, so including nettles in your daily tea is a good idea no matter what you are dealing with.
Source: http://www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk/news/wp-content/gallery/margaret-dickinson-botanical-drawings/newhm-2001-h239-198.jpg[/caption]

 

MATERIA MEDICA: STINGING NETTLE

Latin Name: Urtica dioica, U. urens

Family: Urticaceae (Nettle Family)

Botanical Description: Nettle grows from two to six feet tall on a square, fibrous stem with deep grooves running along its length. The dark green leaves are ovate and sharply toothed with a heart-shaped base and a pointy tip. They are located in opposite pairs and become progressively smaller toward the top of the stem. The leaves and stems are covered with tiny, hollow hairs tipped with silica. Nettle spreads by rhizomes, so each plant can have multiple stem and thus nettle typically grows in dense colonies. The tiny, inconspicuous green flowers droop in bunches from the leaf axils. (Foster, 1993; Thayer, 2006)
Key Constituents: Vitamins A, C, E, and K (Bennett, 2014), riboflavin, thiamine, and minerals (calcium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silica, iron, zinc), protein (Pedersen, 2012), formic acid and histamine (Foster, 1993), and chlorophyll (Hoffmann, 2003).
Parts Used: Above ground parts

Energetics: salty, slightly bitter, cool, dry

Preparation: Infusion - place 1/4 cup dried nettles into a quart sized Mason jar; cover with just boiled water; cover loosely and allow to steep overnight. In the morning strain and drink (you can re-heat the tea if you prefer).

Actions:  Adrenal tonic, alterative, antiallergenic, anticatarrhal, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anthelmintic (seeds), antirheumatic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic (leaf and seed), astringent, blood tonic, carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, decongestant, depurative, diuretic, endocrine tonic (seeds), expectorant, febrifuge, galactagogue, hemostatic, hypoglycemic, kidney tonic, lithotriptic, mucolytic, nervine, nutritive, parturient, pectoral, rejuvenative (seeds), thyroid tonic (seeds), tonic (leaf, root, seed), styptic, uterine tonic, vermifuge (seeds)

Uses:

  • Improves body's resistance to pollens, molds, and environmental pollutants
  • Nourishes and tones veins
  • Prevents mucous membrane hyperactivity
  • Improves veins' elasticity
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Helps prevent blood clots, promotes healthy blood clotting
  • Curbs appetite
  • Cleanses toxins from body
  • Acne
  • Allergies
  • Amenorrhea (due to blood or kidney deficiency)
  • Anemia
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, enlarged prostate)
  • Boils
  • Bronchitis
  • Candida
  • Catarrh
  • Cellulite
  • Cough
  • Cystitis
  • Diabetes
  • Diuretic
  • Dysentery
  • Eczema
  • Edema
  • Food Allergies
  • Hair and scalp remedy for oily hair & dandruff
  • Hay fever
  • Headache
  • Hemorrhage
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hives
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Infertility (men and women)
  • Jaundice
  • Kidney Stones
  • Leukemia
  • Lumbago
  • Menorrhagia
  • Mononucleosis
  • Nephritis
  • Night sweats
  • Obesity
  • Pain
  • Pleurisy
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Premature gray hair
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatism
  • Rickets
  • Sciatica
  • Sinusitis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Urinary Tract Disorders
  • Varicose veins
  • Vitiligo
Cautions:
  • Nettles are generally considered safe, even over an extended period of time.
  • The plant may even be used as a green, leafy vegetable.
  • Stomach discomfort is the only reported adverse effect.

SOME OF THE PRODUCTS WE HAVE WITH NETTLES IN THEM:

  • Daily Tea- a nourishing and mineral rich tea that is a great starter tea
  • Pregnancy Tea & Nursing Tea - from the first 9-months, to the end of breast feeding, both you and your baby need extra nutrients, these teas are a great way to get more into your diet

 

SOME OTHER INTERESTING THINGS ON NETTLES:

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