Description
The nettle is a plant mainly known for generating itchy skin when touched. However, it has many health benefits and can help with some bacterial infections.
Possible Benefits
- May improve immunity
- Detox
- May improve digestion
- May help to reduce some pain
- May decrease cholesterol level
- Antioxidant
- May increase energy
Required Equipment
Fresh nettle or supplement
How to Do It
You can consume nettle in different ways. You can prepare an infusion with dry or fresh leaves. You can also add the chopped leaves to the salad.
Some people add nettle leaves to their green shakes. Finally, you can take a supplement of nettle leaves or root extract.
Why it works
- Nettle helps strengthen the immune response thanks to two components of the plant: polysaccharides and lectins.
- It has a diuretic effect and a high amount of dietary fiber, which can improve digestion.
- It has a high content of essential fatty acids and sterols, which are ideal for improving heart health.
- This plant has a high content of carotenoids, which act as antioxidants and help reduce damage to the organism.
Time Commitment
5-10 minutes
Suggested Frequency
Once a week
Time of Day
Any
Possible Side Effects
Gastrointestinal discomfort, skin irritation.
Tips
- If you are going to use the fresh plant, boil it for 10 minutes to avoid itching or swelling.
- Look for a nettle-based cream or oil to reduce pain.
- Look for nettle extract combined with arnica to treat muscle pain.
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- Urtica spp.: Ordinary Plants with Extraordinary Properties. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100552/
- Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle): A Neglected Plant With Emerging Growth Promoter/Immunostimulant Properties for Farmed Fish. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5879320/
- Screening of pharmacological uses of Urtica dioica and others benefits. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31163183/
- Comparison of nutritional properties of Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) flour with wheat and barley flours. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4708629/
- A comprehensive review on the stinging nettle effect and efficacy profiles. Part II: urticae radix. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17509841/
