Nettles

[WuWei]

Nettles Leaf herbal infusion 101. (s/o: Herbal infusion study group)

Using Herbs Simply and Safely Learn how to understand how safe--or dangerous--any herb might be.

Also known as Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle, Common Nettle, Gerrais, Isirgan, Kazink, Ortiga, Grande Ortie, Ortie, Urtiga, Chichicaste, and Brennessel

Herbal Anecdote: Nettle is an excellent source of many minerals and vitamins, giving it a reputation as one of the most nutrient-rich herbs available.

Traditional Uses: Allergies, cystitis, kidney and bladder stones, diuretic, astringent, psoriasis, acne.

Nettles has astringent, expectorant, galactagogue milk producing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, homeostatic, and diuretic properties.

Bioflavonoids in Nettle leaves and roots are generally anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine. The magnesium in Nettle may help upper respiratory symptoms, if asthmatics are magnesium-deficient. Magnesium relieves bronchial muscle spasms and reduces the histamine response. The boron in Nettle may be helpful in treating osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), because it helps the bones retain calcium and influences the body's endocrine system since hormones play a crucial role in helping the body maintain healthy bones and joints.

http://www.nutrovita.com/info/nettle-herb.html

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) builds energy, strengthens the adrenals, and is said to restore youthful flexibility to blood vessels. A cup of nettle infusion contains 500 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron, and zinc. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. For flexible bones, a healthy heart, thick hair, beautiful skin, and lots of energy, make friends with sister stinging nettle. It may make you feel so good you'll jump up and exercise.

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.c...le-healthy.htm

Green is the color of plant energy.The plants with the deepest green give you the most energy. A daily cup of nettle infusion increases energy without wiring your nerves. Nettle strengthens the adrenals, allowing you to tolerate more stress with less harm. And it nourishes your immune system, too.

To make it: Put one ounce of dried nettle leaf in a quart jar. Fill to the
top with boiling water. Cap tightly and steep at least four hours (overnight is fine). Strain and drink.

Refrigerate the remainder and consume within 36 hours. (Leftovers may be used as a hair rinse or fertilizer for your house plants.)

http://www.susunweed.com/An_Article_Fatigue_AW3.htm

Constituents

formic acid, histamine, serotonin, choline, minerals, chlorophyll, amino acids, lecithin, carotenoids, flavonoids, sterols, tannins and vitamins. Nettle's main plant chemicals include: acetophenone, acetylcholine, agglutinins, alkaloids, astragalin, butyric acid, caffeic acids, carbonic acid, chlorogenic acid, chlorophyll, choline, coumaric acid, folacin, formic acid, friedelins, histamine, kaempherols, koproporphyrin, lectins, lecithin, lignans, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, neoolivil, palmitic acid, pantothenic acid, quercetin, quinic acid, scopoletin, secoisolariciresinol, serotonin, sitosterols, stigmasterol, succinic acid, terpenes, violaxanthin, and xanthophylls

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/nettle_leaf.php

Many of the benefits are due to the plant's very high levels of minerals, especially, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium, and sulfur. They also provide chlorophyll and tannin, and they're a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and B complex vitamins. Nettles also have high levels of easily absorbable amino acids. They're ten percent protein, more than any other vegetable.

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Nettle.html



Making a big jar of Nettles Infusion with Susan Weed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ezLZzg2Vgw


How to Use Stinging Nettle as a Natural Allergy Medicine
http://www.ehow.com/how_2070630_trea...ng-nettle.html

Herbs for Pregnancy: http://www.herbshealing.com/Article_...y_Problems.htm

Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in nettles.

Stinging Nettles vinegar and hair rinse recipes: http://www.accert.org/Spring%20Equin...al_healing.htm



Pat

[Breathless Wonder]

Any thoughts on what to do if you try nettles, and it gives you headaches?

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by Breathless Wonder

Any thoughts on what to do if you try nettles, and it gives you headaches?

I wonder if it might be the diuretic effect? Are you adequately hydrated, consuming 8- 8oz glasses of liquid otherwise?


Pat

[tanyalynn]

Pat, you rock. My MIL has advanced osteoarthritis, I have been putting together a list of a few things that may help her feel a bit better, and this makes me happy. I'd already been considering it for DH (I want to avoid him having the same advanced health issues as MIL) so this is good all around.

[WuWei]

Just had my first sip of Nettles infusion, tastes GREEN. :



Pat

[Panserbjorne]

It certainly does! Wanna know my favorite thing? (oooh, I get all tingly thinking about it!!!) Pouring the infusion over naturalcalm. Oh, the lemonyness mixed with the green is pure pleasure!

Great links, Pat! Don't know that I have much else to add! Other than this is one that I have been talking about for awhile here when I say make infusions and use them as the base for smoothies. My kids like the infusions....but this is a whole food way to get superior nutrients into them if they don't! I often combine nettles and RRL for the purpose of morning smoothies. Add in hibiscus or rose hibs if you want a yummy twist. It also makes it delightfully red!

[Theloose]

From Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen
Per 100g dry weight:

Calcium - 2900mg
Magnesium - 860mg
Potassium - 1750mg
Selenium - .22mg
Zinc - .47mg

Thiamine - .54mg
Riboflavin (B2) - .43mg

There are more, but it's stuff like tin and chromium and I don't know how many people are curious, or what the copyright rules are...

[Theloose]

Stinging nettles grow wild all over the place here. How can I make sure it's the right plant? Any tips for harvesting/handling without getting stung?

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by whoMe

Stinging nettles grow wild all over the place here. How can I make sure it's the right plant? Any tips for harvesting/handling without getting stung?

You are not asking me, right?

I read wear long pants, long sleeve shirts and gloves. But, I only remember them from childhood, in the midwest. I don't recall them here in the south. So, I'm clueless. I don't eat wild plants.


Pat

[Panserbjorne]

tsk tsk, pat!

Yes, gloves are essential for me. There is a specific technique that you can use which doesnt' require them....but I'm good with protection! I would also recommend getting a good book on wildcrafting and foraging. That will give you great tips on identification, gathering and preparation.

[tanyalynn]

whoMe, if you think it's not against anyone's rules, I'd love to have a complete list of the nutrients. Hey, I just realized that i put that book on my wish list so I wouldn't forget it! If it's a bother, I think I'm going to try to get a copy within a week or two anyway.

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by Panserbjørne

It certainly does! Wanna know my favorite thing? (oooh, I get all tingly thinking about it!!!) Pouring the infusion over naturalcalm. Oh, the lemonyness mixed with the green is pure pleasure!

Great links, Pat! Don't know that I have much else to add! Other than this is one that I have been talking about for awhile here when I say make infusions and use them as the base for smoothies. My kids like the infusions....but this is a whole food way to get superior nutrients into them if they don't! I often combine nettles and RRL for the purpose of morning smoothies. Add in hibiscus or rose hibs if you want a yummy twist. It also makes it delightfully red!

I'm going to have to try this b/c I'm having a hard time getting my natural calm down these days.

[springmum]

Originally Posted by Breathless Wonder

Any thoughts on what to do if you try nettles, and it gives you headaches?

I have the same problem. I've only tried nettles once, and it gave me a wicked headache that knocked me on my butt! Drowning myself in water trying to get it to go away didn't seem to be helping (really it was a reasonable amount of water, but I was starting to feel desperate b/c I didn't know what else to do, nothing "natural" was helping it)

I thought I read someone mention that nettles was high in.....oxalates?....no?....totally can't remember....help!
So maybe I/we are missing another nutrient to help support our bodies while taking it (to prevent the headache)

This google search notes that a response with a severe headache is a reason to discontinue use I really want to try it again, but am afraid of the really bad headache....

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

whoMe, if you think it's not against anyone's rules, I'd love to have a complete list of the nutrients. Hey, I just realized that i put that book on my wish list so I wouldn't forget it! If it's a bother, I think I'm going to try to get a copy within a week or two anyway.

I don't know if it's against the rules or not... It's kind of the basis of the book - the author went out and did all his own testing. And I bought the book because I couldn't find the information anywhere online. I hate to see him not get paid for his work, yk? Maybe I could PM the rest to you?

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by springmum

I thought I read someone mention that nettles was high in.....oxalates?....no?....totally can't remember....help!
So maybe I/we are missing another nutrient to help support our bodies while taking it (to prevent the headache)

I think it was Mammo2Sammo talking about glutamates in alfalfa giving them problems. Is that what you were thinking of? She was also asking about glutamates in other herbs.

[mom61508]

I took this while pregnant with a combo of other herbs but didn't notice any difference but love herbs. I'm off to get some to try by itself as an infusion

[springmum]

Originally Posted by whoMe

I think it was Mammo2Sammo talking about glutamates in alfalfa giving them problems. Is that what you were thinking of? She was also asking about glutamates in other herbs.

Yes! That was it! Thank you.
I quickly googled, and don't know, do nettles have glutamates?
What else in it might cause the headache?

[FireWithin]

Originally Posted by Breathless Wonder

Any thoughts on what to do if you try nettles, and it gives you headaches?

We get headaches from nettles. I believe it is from the sulfur. We have problems with other sulfur foods. Check out how to work on your sulfoxidation over in the allergy forum.
Rejoice - if this is the reason for you then you just discovered a piece to your health problem.

[mbravebird]

Susun Weed talks about a certain communion with the plant when picking fresh, and says she can sometimes not get stung if she's in good communion with the plant. Going totally from memory here, so I hope I'm not bastardizing what she originally said. Interesting, though.

I just got some nettle seeds so I can start a patch!

Pat, thanks for the GREAT summary. Panserbjorne, thanks for your clarification about the sun/moon infusing over on the other thread -- that's interesting stuff.

The taste is rather Green, isn't it, Pat? Took me a while to get used to. Also, just anecdotally for me, it takes about two cups a day for me to feel the sleep effects of nettle.

Bottoms up!

[Breathless Wonder]

Originally Posted by Mammo2Sammo

We get headaches from nettles. I believe it is from the sulfur. We have problems with other sulfur foods. Check out how to work on your sulfoxidation over in the allergy forum.
Rejoice - if this is the reason for you then you just discovered a piece to your health problem.

Thanks for the info! I'm off to check it out- I have issues with sulfa antibiotics, so...