Inspiration, Education, Herbs
I FOUND NETTLE WHILST FORAGING FOR HERBS LAST WEEK
Aug
Nettle, also known as Stinging Nettle or Common Nettle [latin name Urtica dioica] is a wonderful herb. When used correctly it has fantastic health improvement properties. Last week while foraging for herbs I found a luscious patch of Nettle growing in the wild as nature intended.
The following story involving this wonderful herb is based on one of the many events concerning the use of herbs that happens regularly in my daily life. I never use the internet and mainstream sources only personal experience. As a result, my confidence in recommending herbs comes from using it on myself, family, friends, colleagues and patients/clients.
I have been giving this herb as a treatment to a client/patient of mine. He suffered from severe sneezing, a runny nose, and watery itchy eyes -he was just miserable. He tried just about every prescription medicine for two weeks and none of it helped.
Sending him home with a bottle of nettle tincture and instructions on how to use it, I was confident that he would feel better in no time. The following morning he phoned me and said he is feeling “so much better”. Doctors gave him medicine for a period of two weeks and none of it worked, yet a simple remedy called nettle tincture – properly used – worked marvellously within a few hours.
Nettle
For centuries nettle has been used to treat allergies, particularly hay fever, which is the most common allergy problem.
It contains biologically active compounds that reduce inflammation. De-contestants, antihistamines, allergy shots and other prescription medications such as Allegra and Claritin only treat the symptoms of allergies and tend to lose effectiveness over a period of time. In addition, they cause drowsiness, dry sinuses, insomnia and high blood pressure. Nettle has none of these side effects. It can be used on a regular basis and has an impressive number of other benefits most notably as a treatment for prostate enlargement.
Potential for treating disease
Nettle is an extensively studied herb. It has shown promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, gout and hives. This herb is also helpful in treating diseases like kidney stones, laryngitis, multiple sclerosis and furthermore it is effective in treating PMS, prostate enlargement. It is also an excellent treatment for sciatica ailments and tendinitis. Externally it is used to improve the appearance of the hair and is said to be a remedy against oily hair and dandruff.
Healing properties of Nettle
In Germany today stinging nettles is sold as a herbal drug for prostate diseases and as a diuretic. It is a common ingredient in other herbal drugs produced in Germany for rheumatic complaints and inflammatory conditions (especially for the lower urinary tract and prostate).
Within the United States, many remarkable healing properties are attributed to nettle. The leaf is utilized for different problems than the root. The leaf is used here as a diuretic, for arthritis, prostatitis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and allergic rhinitis. Whereas the root is recommended as a diuretic, for relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate problems. In addition, it is used as a natural remedy to treat or prevent baldness.
An infusion of the plant is effective in stemming internal bleeding. Furthermore, it is used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used to treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids and hair problems.
In conclusion, Nettle is a must-have in anyone’s herbal medicine cabinet!