Stinging Nettles

Stinging nettles is one of the “fix everything” herbs, an enigma, for my family and me.

My kids often lovingly tease me about how many different ailments I tell them to “just make the nettles”. She has long been a staple in our home and an herb that was used and talked about by my aunties and the “aunties” in the community. I never realized how popular it has gotten until I saw other herbalist speak on its benefits.

Incidentally, and not long ago my lovely friend Ruchika and I were chatting about allergy symptoms. In sharing how helpful nettles have been for me and my son in subsiding most all of our allergy symptoms, I showed her a picture of nettles. She was surprised when she saw it because she too was familiar with the plant. In fact, she exclaimed that when she was young she hated this plant because she had a bad accident, falling into it leaving stings all over her body. Well, if you know anything about this plant, it is prickly and it stings, she was miserable. This memory lasted a lifetime. But along with this memory was those of her father, who is a community ayurvedic healer, told her many times that it was a very beneficial plant. She didn’t understand it as a child, but it seemed to all come together during our conversation.

I name nettles as an enigma. She is sometimes overlooked and even cursed by gardeners, hikers, and by those who have a close encounter with its stingy abilities, like Ruchika. But if you can discern beyond her defensive powers, nettles reward you with its rich content of nutritive benefits.

She is a vigorous plant thriving in moist, nutrient-rich soil on forest borders or beside pathways. I have a healthy patch in my herb garden. She also represents a defense against those who may want to snatch it from its place without considering its remarkable benefits.

For thousands of years, the herb has been revered by the Egyptians, by the Greeks, by the Romans, and has also become known in parts of Asia and North America, where it has been later introduced. Today, nettles is thought to be an essential remedy for a lot of cultures across the world today.

The name "stinging nettles" refers to a group of plants in the genus Urticaceae closely correlated. Tiny hairs cover the leaves and stalks of these plants, and when you touch them, it infuses its specific compounds, causing a stinging sensation.

Holistic benefits

Stinging Nettles exerts several benefits that have been acknowledged by research trials as well.

Nettles is known as an astringent herb that stiffens and firms the skin, regulates natural sebum production, reduces acne, and enhances flawless skin appearance. It may assist in the healing of wounds and burns, as well as skin allergies and eczema. It's also known to aid in the relief of joint pain and arthritis.

One of my sons uses this herb for its nutritive content and to treat acne.

Indeed, this plant is known to have outstanding anti-inflammatory activities, which help to relieve the symptoms of hay fever. According to research, treatment with stinging nettles leaf has been linked to the relief of symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

For example, my other son who was on a course of allergy immune therapy with shots decided after a year of weekly treatments he didn’t want to get the shots anymore because he didn’t see results he wanted. He was still suffering from allergy symptoms during this treatment. One day he decided to heed my advice and made a cup of nettles and his allergies symptoms disappeared after the first time taking it.

Some of nettle's nutritive elements is that it has a high protein content as well as crude fiber, calcium, and iron.

The tannin, total polyphenol, antioxidant activity, carotenoids of nettles are all much higher, but the calorific value (the energy contained in fuel and food) is lower. Bioactivity of these functional components may play an important role in reducing or eliminating arthritis, rheumatism, muscle paralysis, cancer, and other conditions.

Studies have found that it lowers inflammation and blood sugar. My lovely mother-in-law found much success in lowering her blood sugar count and her blood pressure using this herb. She also uses it as a general tonic for its overall medicinal benefits. If you are on blood pressure medication (or any medications) seek advice from a health care professional. Stinging nettles is known to lower blood sugar.  My mother-in-law consulted with her doctor who recommended that she take a lower dosage or not at all under specific circumstances when benefiting from blood pressure balancing effects of nettles. Again, consult with your health professional before taking any herbs or medicinal plants, don’t skip this step.

As mentioned, I have a patch in my herbal garden, and I love it. Apart from that, this valuable herb is home to at least 40 different insect species, including some of the most well-known and colorful butterflies, and less prominent but equally lovely moths. The nettles is the significant food source for the peacock, caterpillars, red admiral, the painted lady butterflies, and many more wonderful creatures.

Use care and caution when picking nettles as it is best to wear gloves to protect from stings. It can be eaten after it has been cooked, or dried. The “stinging” quality goes away when it’s cooked and properly dried. Of course, it makes a beautiful tea. If you are foraging or think one has popped up in your yard or garden remember, never eat stinging nettles plant unless you are certain of its identity.

Conclusion

Stinging Nettles has been identified as one instant plant with a broad number of uses; one plant with deep vitality; and possibly the hardest working plant out there.

All in all, this highly prized herb has become a natural household member for my family, and can be the same for many of you.

When in doubt our family makes nettles.