Sunday, July 21, 2013

Nettle Leaf Benefits Hay Fever, Asthma, and Much More


Nettle has been called the masochist's herb. This is because, in the past the sharp leaves were used in urtication, a self-flagellation, driving the beneficial chemicals in the leaf into the skin painfully! It was a treatment for arthritis and skin disease. Apparently it worked because of the antihistamines and anti-inflammatories in the leaf that were beaten into the body. Aren't you glad you can gain the benefits of nettle without beating yourself with it?

Stinging nettle is a perennial plant. The stem grows from 2 to 7 feet high and bears serrated, pointed leaves. The small, greenish flowers grow in clusters from July to September.

There are many helpful chemicals in nettle leaf: vitamin C and vitamin A, abundant chlorophyll, bio-available minerals, including silicon, calcium, and potassium chloride, dietary fiber and protein.

Nettle is effective in treating hay fever because of the antihistamines in the leaf. Nettle is sometimes used to open the bronchial airways and loosen congestion in people with asthma or allergies. And Nettle is indeed effective in treating inflammatory skin conditions.

Nettle leaf may help arthritic sufferers by reducing their need for prescription drugs. It contains large amounts of boron and silicon and these two minerals greatly help ease symptoms of tendonitis, arthritis, and bursitis. Nettle can increase the body's production of urine and help with urinary tract infections. Nettle has a mild laxative effect and can actually increase the work of the liver and kidneys. It is a blood purifier and can be used to treat spasmodic dysmenorrheal, ulcers, asthma, jaundice, bronchitis, nephritis, and hemorrhoids.

Nettle leaf uses make quite an impressive list: dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhages, gravel, febrile affections, chronic diseases of the colon, nephritic complaints, eczematous affections, eczema of the face, neck and ears, and chronic cystitis. Externally it has been effective in treating burns, scalds, bleeding wounds, nettle rash (yes, you can use nettle to treat nettle pain), nosebleed, and urticaria.

Nettle is well known for its ability to ease discomfort in men with BPH in which the prostate becomes enlarged and causes men to develop problems with urination. Nettle helps men to urinate more in the day and thus less at night. Nettle works by keeping the body from converting testosterone into 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that causes the prostate gland to begin growing again after 40. Nettle does not, however, decrease enlargement of the prostate. Taking nettle in combination with either pygeum bark extract or saw palmetto may be as effective as the drug finasteride. It is also used in hair tonics because supposedly it can stimulate hair growth.

Nettle is one of nature's diuretics. It aids the body in eliminating uric acid and bacteria both of which cause urinary tract infections and kidney stones. This diuretic action of nettle may also help relieve premenstrual bloating and lower blood pressure. Should pregnant or nursing women take nettle? This is a debated issue. One side says it might cause the uterus to contract. Others say this is not a problem when taken in moderation. Perhaps the safety of this practice is related to when the nettle is harvested. If it is cut before it flowers, it seems to be safe in this regard.

You can buy nettle leaf in powder, capsules, tablets, and tinctures. The dried leaf is used for tea. Dried root products for treating prostate problems, are often combined with saw palmetto. Some enjoy using nettle powder as a seasoning. To store nettle leaves, be sure they are in a dark, dry, and cool place.

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