Nettle leaf - cut

Excerpts from Practical Herbalism

King’s Dispensatory gives these specific indications for the use of Nettles: diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, hemorrhages, febrile affections, gravel, nephritic complaints, chronic diseases of the colon, eczematous affections, eczema of the face, neck and ears, and chronic cystitis.

According to Ellingwood, "Nettle has been employed for the general purposes of an astringent, both internally and externally, in hemorrhages, ill-conditioned ulcers, and in chronic disease of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, bowels and urinary organs."

It is one of the wild plants still gathered each spring in rural regions as a "spring tonic" and pot-herb. It makes a healthy and very nutritious vegetable, which is cleansing and easy to digest. An old country remedy for chronic rheumatism and arthritis is "Urtication" or flogging with nettles. Some folks even keep a nettle plant growing on a sunny windowsill, so that the healing stings might be applied throughout the winter.

It is a strange fact that the juice of the nettle proves an antidote for its own sting, and being applied will afford instant relief. The sting of a nettle may also be cured by rubbing the part with dock, Rosemary, Peppermint or Sage leaves, as well as those of Comfrey, plantain, or jewelweed, which can often be found growing alongside nettles.

Primary Constituents:

Chlorophyll, in high yields... Nettles are a significant source of vitamin C and vitamin A, bio-available minerals, including calcium, silicon, and potassium chloride; protein, and dietary fiber.

Indicated Usages - Internal:

Indicated Usages - External:

Excerpts from the book Nutritional Herbology

Extracts of nettle have been included in hair tonics for centuries due to its purported ability to stimulate hair growth. Like many bitter herbs, nettle is a blood purifier. Its long list of traditional uses can be summed up in its ability to increase the production of urine, its mild laxative effect and its ability to increase the efficiency of liver and kidney function. Besides these general effects, folk use points to the herb’s affinity for treating imbalances of the mucous membranes. It has traditionally been used to treat asthma, ulcers, bronchitis, jaundice, nephritis, hemorrhoids and spasmodic dysmenorrhea.

Contains bitter compounds that increase the flow of urine, are antiseptic, and relieve pains. It also contains astringent compounds that shrink inflamed tissues and stop bleeding. Nettle has been used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, inflammatory skin conditions, diarrhea, and asthma.

Tid Bits You'll Want to Know:

Uses: Our two favorite uses are in teas and food recipes. Like many other bulk herbs, we add it to salads, meat dishes, soups, stews, etc. in small amounts for added nutrition and fiber without affecting the flavor (it has a rather mild flavor so you hardly know it's there). Otherwise, we make it into a strong tea/infusion, and use it in place of water in many recipes. Nettle can be used to benefit men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing) and children. It can be used as often as you would like.

Storage: It should be kept in an airtight container and stored in a dark, dry, and cool place.

Questions?: Check out Frequently Asked Questions.

Richard
January 14, 2013 at 12:16 am

I bought a half pound and would really like to know how long to steep it if i'd like to make it into tea.

Sara
February 22, 2013 at 9:44 am

I've been drinking it as tea for a while now. The directions that came with it says it may be steeped overnight and then drunk within a day or two, but I rarely think that far ahead. 10-15 minutes is how long I tend to steep it.