Nettle is classified as a weed and is feared for its stinging hairs. Yet the health benefits of nettle are numerous. It is remineralizing, diuretic, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory… Here are the secrets of a plant with exceptional virtues.
Nettle is a perennial which grows almost everywhere, near houses, in gardens, along the countryside. Measuring up to 1 m high, in summer it bears clusters of flowers in the shape of tiny green balls.
Its leaves are green, pointed and bristling with stinging hairs. When touched, their tip breaks releasing a liquid containing formic acid.e and histamine which irritate the skin.
Although she enjoys a terrible reputation (especially with the children who wallow there), thenettle is a medicinal plant with multiple properties. The benefits of nettle for the skin are documented.
Ideal in natural treatment, this plant reduces the secretion of sebum thanks to its alkalizing and draining functions. It is therefore recommended for oily skin.
Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, nettle helps fight acne thanks to the zinc it contains. It also promotes healing, protection, regeneration and hydration of the skin thanks to its content of minerals, trace elements and vitamin B.
What are the benefits of nettle ?
Nettle is a great source of vitamins : vitamins of group B, vitamin E, provitamin A, vitamin C (it contains six times more than orange).
Nettle is also one of the richest plants in complete proteins i.e. 8 g / 100 g in fresh leaves. It contains 18 amino acids including 8 essential that the body does not synthesize, this makes it a protein perfectly assimilable by the body in the same way as an animal protein.
In addition, nettle has a high mineral content. It contains almost twice as much iron as beef and also contains a high concentration of potassium, calcium (4 times more than yogurt), zinc, magnesium, manganese and silica.
Best of all, she combines the good combinations of nutrients : calcium and boron (this trace element facilitates the fixation of calcium in the body); iron and vitamin C (facilitates the assimilation of iron).
Other medicinal properties of nettle
In addition to the benefits of nettle for the skin, there are several health benefits.
- Nettle boosts immune defenses thanks to its antioxidant content (flavonoids)
- A great source of vitamins and minerals, nettle is remineralizing and effective against chronic fatigue.
- Antianemic, nettle helps respond to iron deficiency and helps fix hemoglobin in red blood cells.
- Nettle is known as a plant depurative, because it allows the body to get rid of its toxins and to be purified.
- Detoxifying and diuretic, nettle contributes toelimination urea and uric acid.
- Nettle helps relieve joint pain.
- Antioxidant, nettle has a protective effect against certain diseases and supports tissue regeneration.
How to benefit from the benefits of nettle?
To benefit from the benefits of nettle, it can be taken orally by capsules or in infusion. It can also be used externally by soaked compresses on infected areas.
- To benefit from its purifying properties, we make a small cure of two to three weeks by taking each day 400 to 500 mg of dry extract. You can repeat this three times a year.
- To respond to iron deficiencies, we take a fresh plant extract and dilute it in a glass of water that we drink 2 to 3 times a day. You can repeat this for one to three weeks.
- In case of joint pain, we opt for a herbal tea, composed of nettle leaves, blackcurrant leaves, flowering tops of meadowsweet, and, optionally, ash and birch. How to prepare it? We throw a handful of the whole in equal parts in 1 liter of boiling water, cut off the boil and let infuse under a lid 15 minutes before filtering. We drink throughout the day, for 10 to 15 days.
- In case of prostate, we prepare a decoction at the rate of one teaspoonful of dry roots per cup of water. Boil for 5 minutes then let infuse for 10 minutes. We drink a cup three times a day for six months.
- At last, to keep the scalp healthy, we take 100 g of nettle roots for 1 liter of water that we boil for 15 minutes. We filter, and we obtain a lotion useful to fight against alopecia (hair loss) that can be applied every day. The juice obtained is passed on the scalp before shampooing and left to stand for ten minutes.
Contraindications and precaution for use
The use of nettle is avoided especially as part of the treatment of diabetes and some blood pressure as well as with anti-inflammatory and sedative drugs. It is also contraindicated for people suffering from Water retention caused by poor heart or kidney function.
Nettle juice recipe
We put in a blender a handful of nettle leaves, with 1 glass of water, 5 mint leaves and a 1/2 apple for more sweetness. We prepare and drink it every morning.
So, are you ready to test the multiple benefits of nettle?
