Aerial parts, root.
The main use of the herbal remedies made from the nettle is in the role of a cleansing and detoxifying agent in the body. The diuretic action of the nettle is also a highly regarded property possessed by the herb; this property is probably due to the high content of bio-molecules known as the flavonoids and may also be because of the high potassium levels in the herb. The main property of the herbal remedy in this role is that it increases the total production of urine and helps in the effective elimination of accumulated metabolic waste products in the body. Various skin disorders and conditions are also effectively treated using herbal remedies derived from the nettle, as an example, the cases of childhood eczema and arthritic problems are treated using the nettle, and the herbal remedy is extensively used in the treatment of very poor or impaired kidney functioning, beside its use in treating fluid retention issues. Bleeding in any area of the body is treatable by the strong astringent action of the nettle. Nettle in the form of an herbal infusion, as a tincture or in the fresh juice form can be applied externally as a topical measure for the treatment of various cuts and wounds to stanch the bleeding, it can be used in cases of hemorrhoids, it can stanch nose bleeds, and it can also be used as a soothing and healing salve against various burns and scald injuries. The herbal remedies made from the nettle have also been extensively used as a remedy for stemming bleeding during heavy menstrual periods, and paradoxically also in inducing bleeding during delayed or absent periods in women. The nettle remedies also stimulate the production of milk in lactating women, and have a galactagogue role in such cases. The herbal remedies made from the nettle can also be used as an excellent restorative remedy for treatment during menopause in women. The nettle also helps in clearing away various disorders in the respiratory system and in the treatment of a variety of catarrhal congestion and is an effective remedy in relieving the symptoms of various allergies such as those that come on during hay fever and in asthmatic attacks. The remedies made from the nettle also help in healing disorders affecting the digestive tract; it is an effective remedy against cases of diarrhea, in the treatment of excess gas, and to treat the various inflammation and ulcerations affecting the digestive tract in different people. The herbal remedies made from the nettle have also been successful treatment elevated blood sugar levels and the nettle seed tincture is said to be able to elevate the functioning and performance of the thyroid gland and in so doing is believed to be capable of reducing disorders such as goiter. The fresh juice of the nettle juice can also be used as an effective topical herbal remedy to relieve the skin of symptoms associated with insect bites and stings; these can include the sting of the nettle as well! Fresh nettle stinging hairs contains the formic acid and the compound histamine, these chemicals responsible for the irritation of skin, have been successfully and traditionally used to stimulate the circulation of blood and to relieve the physical symptoms of disorders such as arthritis and rheumatism in many patients.
The nettle plant is native to temperate regions largely lying in the northern hemisphere, it also grows wild in southern Africa, and in the Andes, and even in areas of Australia. The herb has many uses, and the young shoots are harvesting during the spring for use as a vegetable and to prepare an herbal tonic to be used in the treatment of various disorders. During the summer season, the aerial parts of the herb and especially the leaves are plucked when the plant is in full bloom. Autumn is the time when nettle roots are harvested and used in the preparation of various herbal remedies.
The confirmation of the medicinal value of nettle root remedy in the treatment of cases of benign prostate hypertrophy - or enlargement of the gland - has been confirmed in various researches conducted in the US, Germany and Japan.
Nettle contains histamine, formic acid, acetylcholine, serotonin, glucoquinones, many minerals (inc. silica), vitamins A, B, C, tannins.
The majority of patients, who make use of nettle based herbal remedies, generally use two to three 300 mg nettle leaf capsules or the herbal tablets as and when required. Dosage of 2-4 ml herbal nettle tincture, can also be taken if preferred, this can be used thrice every day as a preventive medication during the allergy season - hay fever for example can be prevented as well as treated using this remedy. The doses for the treatment disorders such as BPH can be undertaken by using one 240 mg tablet or capsule form of the root extract daily - this is the normal dose of most patients afflicted by this condition. The herbal products used in the treatment of BPH often use an herbal combination of the nettle root with other extracts such as the saw palmetto or pygeum extracts to give the maximum beneficial effects for rapid healing and recovery.
The nettle based herbal remedies do not induce allergic reactions and if they do so, such instances are very rare and far apart. At the same time, the fresh nettles can induce rash when the plants stinging hairs come in direct contact with naked skin - this is probably a familiar experience for many people.
While the stinging hairs of the nettle can inflict painful stings on the skin externally, such effects are subdued and non-existent when the plant is subjected to heat, though the process of cooking or when made the herb is made into an infusion for medicinal use. At the same time, and many skin complaints are ironically treated using the nettle stings in the form of an anti-allergenic herb. The herbal remedies made from the nettle are used in the treatment of skin disorders such as eczema and to beat back the symptoms induced by other related allergies - the nettle is taken as an internal herbal medication in all such cases. The anti-hemorrhagic actions of the nettle is also used effectively in many forms of herbal medicine, excessive bleeding can be stanched by its astringent action, in this form the herb can stop bleeding arising either from wounds, or due to impairment in the reproductive system such as to diminish heavy bleeding occurring during menstrual disorders. The nettle herb also has high content of useful minerals such as the iron and a lot of vitamin C, for this reason the herb is an excellent tonic for the treatment of anemia and to fortify the diet when the body lacks iron. Traditionally the sting of the nettle was used initially along with the first herbs of spring, as an herbal spring tonic to treat various disorders. Enlargement in the prostate gland is also treated using an herbal remedy made from the roots of the nettle.
INFUSION - This herbal form of the nettle remedy can be used to stimulate the circulatory system in people suffering from impairment in the flow of blood and it can also be used as a detoxification agent to cleanse the system of toxins in individuals afflicted by disorders such as arthritis, it can be used to treat rheumatism, to treat symptoms of gout, and to treat symptoms of eczema. The herbal infusion made from the nettle also helps in increasing the flow of milk in nursing mothers with lactation issues. A revitalizing spring tonic can be produced from the fresh shoots of the nettle. TINCTURE - The herbal tincture form of the nettle is utilized in combination with other beneficial herbs in the treatment of various disorders such as arthritic conditions, to treat various skin problems, and in the treatment of heavy uterine bleeding in women suffering from menstrual diseases. COMPRESS - The herbal remedies made from the nettle can be used to make a herbal compress by soaking a pad in the herbal tincture of the nettle, this compress can be applied to the areas affected by painful arthritic joints, this compress can also be used in the treatment of gout, to treat cases of neuralgia, in the treatment of various kinds of sprains and cramps, in the treatment of tendinitis, and to treat sciatica in the lower limbs. OINTMENT - As an herbal nettle ointment, the nettle is used to topically treat cases of hemorrhoids, the ointment is directly applied to the affected region of the body. WASH - The herbal remedies made from the nettle can also be used as a healing salve and herbal wash and applied to burns, to insect bites, and to wounds. JUICE - The herbal nettle remedy can also be used in the form of a nettle juice and this can be prepared by liquefying the whole fresh plant to make a good herbal tonic for the treatment of debilitating conditions and cases of anemia, this same tonic can be used to soothe the stings of the nettle hairs. The nettle based tonics are also often prescribed for the treatment of cardiac insufficiency coming along with disorders such as edema. POWDER - Herbal remedies made from the powdered leaves of the nettle can be inhaled as a snuff for the treatment of nosebleeds.
HAIR RINSE - The nettle roots can also be used to make an herbal decoction, which can be used as a rinse for the treatment of dandruff, to stem the causes of falling hair, and as a general conditioner for a healthy scalp.
Boil the plants for 3 minutes. Infuse. Drink hot before breakfast and lunch to enrich the blood, drain the kidneys and treat allergies or prostate problems. If the plants are dry and the water has evaporated, extend the treatment for 1 month and double the dosage.
To prepare the tea as it is given here you will need a juicer. If this recipe is too troublesome for you, you may find a similar prepared mixture in your health food store.