An amazing addition to your spring cleansing habits – highly nutritive and super nourishing.
Common names: Nettle, Stinging Nettle
Scientific names: Urtica dioca; Urtica urens
Spring has sprung and the sun is shining brighter again! However, some of you may have noticed you may be getting sick, fatigued, and generally unwell. This is a result of our bodies slowing down during the Winter months period, in which we are also less active, and eat fewer fresh foods.
Spring is a natural time of the year when our bodies crave for detoxification and renewable energy. Luckily for us, there are many ways we can facilitate this process.
Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) is an amazing addition to your spring cleansing habits. This amazing herb is highly nutritive and super nourishing, containing vitamins such as A, C, B2, E, and K, as well as calcium, potassium salts, manganese, copper, iron, trace minerals and protein. Because nettle contains vitamin C and amino acids, both co factors necessary for iron absorption.
Nettle also contains chlorophyll and flavonoids (rutin and quercetin), making it a great herb for supporting healthy blood and circulation. Nettle has a cleansing action by working on the elimination organs and by tonifying mucus membranes. Its diuretic property stimulates kidneys to flush water-soluble body waste, toxins and pathogens. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-allergenic phytochemical quercetin, nettle can be a great supportive ally during the allergy season. Similarly, nettle can provide support for itchy and inflammatory conditions of the skin, such as eczema and psoriasis. All the above added to its nutritive action, makes nettle and great tonic for the entire body!
Nettle can support balanced blood sugar levels, which can result in decreased cravings for caffeine and sugar. Recent scientific evidence demonstrated nettle improved insulin output and glucose uptake by cells, and repaired damaged pancreatic tissue. In a similar way, nettle can also balance hormones, supporting the endocrine system.
By now you are probably wanting to know how you can include this wonder herb (which is by the way considered a weed!) in your diet.
| Here are a few ideas: | ||
|---|---|---|
- NETTLE TEA: 1 teaspoon of dried nettle leaves, in a cup of boiling water.
- NETTLE NUTRITIVE INFUSION: 25g of dried nettle leaves, in a teapot of flask with 1L of boiling water. Leave it brewing overnight. Strain it in the morning, pour it in a drinking bottle, and enjoy it during the day. You can add a lemon squeeze to it. This infusion will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days. Drink it cold, or gently reheated warm (don’t boil it).
- YOU CAN ADD THE FRESH HERB TO juices, smoothies, salads, stir fries, curries, soups. Just be creative!
If you'd like to know more about Nettle, or book a consult to learn more about your digestive or mental health, please get in touch with Raissa Ringer
| References | ||
|---|---|---|
Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs. Warwick, Australia: Churchill Livingstone.
Burgess, I. (1998). Weeds heal - A working herbal
Fisher, C. (2009). Materia medica of Western herbs. Nelson, New Zealand: Vitex Medica.
Hechtman, L. (2012). Clinical naturopathic medicine. Chatswood, Australia: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Keville, K. (1991). The illustrated herb encyclopedia: A complete culinary, cosmetic, medicinal, and ornamental guide to herbs. Australia: Simon & Schuster.
Kowalchik, C., & Hylton, W. Eds. (1987). Rodale’s illlustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Australia: Schwartz Books.