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Name
Nettle
Botanical Name
Urtica dioica (Common
perennial Nettle; Stinging
Nettle).
Urtica urens (Annual
Nettle; Dog Nettle;
Small Nettle)
Urtica gracilis, Urtica californica, and Urtica holosericea, which are
used interchangeably with Urtica dioica.
Other Names
Stinging Nettle, Net Plant, Hidgy Pidgy, Devils Leaf
Family
Urticaceae
Parts
Used
Above
ground, roots and seed.
Description
Stinging
nettle is a perennial herb, found growing wild throughout the temperate
zones of both hemispheres worldwide (The material of commerce comes
mostly from wild plants collected in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary,
Germany, the former U.S.S.R., and the former Yugoslavia.
Overview
and Mythology.
Urtica
comes from the Latin verb urere, meaning "to burn,"
because of its urticate (stinging) hairs. The species name dioica means
"two houses" because the plant usually has either male or
female flowers During
World War II, Nettles were used as green camouflage paint.
Medieval monks would flagellate themselves with Nettle for
penance. This was also done by Roman soldiers to warm themselves and
help them better adapt to the cold, damp, English climate.
Urtica is also a medieval term for 'hive'. Nettle is a great companion plant, strngthening other plants
in the area as does a tea of nettle Plants growing close to Nettle tend
to be stronger in their volatile oils.
When added to the compost pile, it hastens breakdown. When lactating animals are fed Nettles they produce
more milk, and chickens produce more eggs.
Rudolph Steiner called the Nettle plant 'Heart of
the world' because it radiated healing energy to people and the plants
around it. Lelord Kordel said about Nettles 'The sting of Nettles is but
nothing compared to the pain that it heals'.
The sting of Urtica urentissima is said to last a year.
Fortunately, this claim is untrue.
Constituents.
Carbohydrates:
Polysaccharides
Carotenoids:
Beta-Carotene
Lycopene
Enzymes:
Choline, Acetylase
Lecithins:
Urtica dioica agglutinin [a
Lectin which inhibits some types of Viruses including Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (which is the cause of Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS)]
Lignans:
-3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran
Sterols:
Campesterol, Beta-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Stigma-4-en-3-one *
Tannins
Leukotrienes
Minerals:
Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Silicon, Nitrates
Neurotransmitters:
Acetylcholine, Histamine, Choline, Serotonin, Betaine
Organic Acids: Caffeic
Acid, Caffeoylmalic Acid, Chlorogenic Acid, Citric Acid, Fumaric Acid
Lipids:
Acetic acid, Formic, Butyric
Acid
Pigments:
a and b Chlorophyll
Polyphenols:
Flavonoids Quercetin,
Isoquercitrin, Rutin, Kaempferol and Isorhamnetin;
Quinones:
Glucoquinone
Vitamins:
Folic Acid
Dosage
Recommendations
1 teaspoon (5gms) to 1 cup of boiling water 3x a day is often recommended.
Applications.
Tea,
Tincture, Capsules, Juice.
Medicinal Actions
Adrenal
Tonic, Alterative, Astringent, Cholagogue, Circulatory Stimulant,
Diuretic, Expectorant, Galactagogue, Hemostatic, Hypoglycemic, Kidney
Tonic, Mucolytic, Nutritive, Parturient, Respiratory Tonic, Rubefacient,
Styptic, Thyroid Tonic, Tonic, Vermifuge.
Used
in the following internal illnesses
Acne, Allergies, Anemia, Arthritis, Asthma,
Bronchitis, Cellulite, Colds, Convalescence, Cough, Cystitis, Diarrhea,
Dysentery, Eczema, Edema, Fatigue, Food Allergies, Gout, Hay Fever,
Headache, Heart Failure, Hemorrhage, Hemorrhoids, Hypotension,
Infertility, Jaundice, Kidney Infection, Kidney Inflammation, Kidney
Stones, Neuralgia, Night Sweats, Obesity, Postpartum Hemorrhage,
Premenstrual Syndrome, Prostatitis, Psoriasis, Rheumatism, Rickets,
Sinusitis, Tuberculosis, Urinary Infections, Varicose Veins
Only the seeds are a thyroid tonic.
The plant is a good tonic for pregnant and nursing mothers.
Nettle helps reduce food sensitivities by binding immunoglobulin.
Health Benefits of Nettle
Cardiovascular System
Nettle (tea) alleviates Anemia.
Nettle (tea) stimulates Blood Circulation.
Nettle (tea) alleviates Hypotension (by increasing Blood Pressure).
Digestive System
Nettle (tea) may alleviate Constipation
Nettle (tea) may facilitate the elimination of Intestinal
Parasites
Excretory System
Nettle (tea) mildly increases the production of Urine (i.e.
functions as a mild diuretic).
Immune System
Nettle leaf (400 - 800 mg every four hours) alleviates
Allergies:
Nettle leaf helps to reverse itching eyes, itching ears and
itching throat in Allergy sufferers.
Nettle (tea) may alleviate some types of Cancer (according to folklore)--Nettle
(root) helps to prevent Prostate Cancer and is an effective
treatment for existing Prostate Cancer.
Nettle inhibits the transformation of the benign Cells involved
in Enlarged Prostate to the malignant Cells involved in Prostate Cancer.
Nettle inhibits the binding of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to Prostate
cells.
Nettle stimulates the activity of T-Lymphocytes.
The Urtica dioica Agglutinin (a Lectin) content of Nettle inhibits some
types of Viruses including:
-
Cytomegalovirus research
-
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (which is the cause of Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS))
-
Influenza Virus Type A
-
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Musculoskeletal System
Nettle (leaf) is useful for the treatment of Osteoarthritis (it
reduces levels of Interleukin 1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor, which are
strongly implicated in the development and progression of Osteoarthritis
when produced in excess).
Nettle (leaf) is useful for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
(it reduces levels of Interleukin 1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor, which are
strongly implicated in the development and progression of Rheumatoid
Arthritis when produced in excess).
Respiratory System
Nettle (400 - 800 mg of Nettle leaf every four hours or 2 - 4 ml
of Nettle leaf tincture three times per day) alleviates Hay Fever.
Nettle (400 - 800 mg of Nettle leaf every four hours) alleviates
(allergic) Rhinitis (i.e. Rhinitis caused by Hay Fever).
Nettle (400 - 800 mg of Nettle leaf every four hours) alleviates
Sinusitis.
Sexual System
Prostrate:
Nettle (root) is an effective adjunct to Saw Palmetto for the
treatment of Enlarged Prostate
In one human study, a daily dosage of 240 mg of Nettle root combined
with 320 mg of Saw Palmetto (for 12 weeks) caused a 26% increase in
maximum urinary flow, a 29% increase in mean urinary flow, a 45%
reduction in residual urine, a 50% reduction in Nocturia, a 62%
reduction in Dysuria and a 53% decrease in post-void dribbling in
Enlarged Prostate patients.
-
Nettle inhibits the Aromatase and 5-Alpha Reductase enzymes that
have been implicated in the development of Enlarged Prostate.
-
Nettle inhibits the transformation of the benign Cells involved
in Enlarged Prostate to the malignant Cells involved in Prostate Cancer.
-
Nettle inhibits the binding of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to
Prostate cells (thereby preventing DHT from stimulating the
proliferation of Prostate cells that leads to Enlarged Prostate).
-
The Urtica dioica Agglutinin content of Nettle inhibits the
ability of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) to bind to its Receptors in the
Prostate and to subsequently stimulate the growth of Prostate tissue (a
key underlying factor in the progression of Enlarged Prostate).
-
A constituent of Nettle ((10-E, 12-Z)-9-hydroxy-10,
12-octadecadienic acid) inhibits the Aromatase Enzyme that catalyzes the
conversion of Testosterone to Estradiol (a key underlying factor in the
progression of Enlarged Prostate).
Nettle improves Lactation.
Nettle Enhances the Function of these
Substances
Hormones
Nettle inhibits the binding of Testosterone to Sex Hormone Binding
Globulin (SHBG), resulting in lower levels of “bound” Testosterone
and higher levels of “free” Testosterone (this effect occurs as a
result of Nettle binding to SHBG in place of Testosterone).
Nettle Inhibits these Potentially Toxic
Substances
Enzymes
Nettle inhibits the activity of 5-Alpha Reductase.
Nettle inhibits the activity of Aromatase.
Immune System Chemicals
Nettle (leaf) inhibits the production of Interleukin 1 (Interleukin
1 beta) by inhibiting Nuclear Factor-Kappa B, the transcriptional factor
that generates Interleukin 1 beta).
Nettle (leaf) reduces elevated Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) levels
by inhibiting Nuclear Factor-Kappa B, the transcriptional factor that
generates Tumor Necrosis Factor.
Proteins
Nettle (leaf) inhibits Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-Kappa B).
External Medicinal Use
Arthritis, Asthma, Balding, Dandruff, Gout, Hemorrhoids, Irrigation
therapy in inflammatory conditions of the lower urinary tract Oily
Skin, Palsy, Paralysis, Sciatica, Sunburn, Ulcers,
Vaginitis, Wounds,
Applications.
Shampoo, conditioner and hair rinse for dandruff,
stimulation of hair growth and prevention hair loss. Cleanser for oily
skin.
Astringent facial steam.
Sitz bath for hemorrhoids
Bath herb for arthritis.
Douche for vaginitis.
Wash for sunburn.
Dried herb has been smoked for asthma.
Getting stung by fresh Nettle plants can be therapeutic and is helpful
in treatment for arthritis, gout, palsy, paralysis and sciatica. Direct
the sting to the area needed. The sting may last all day.
Energetics.
Bitter,
Salty, Cool, Dry
Contra indications and side effect
None
known
Stings occur from the fresh leaves due to Formic Acid and Histamine in Nettle.
Due to cystolitins, older leaves tend to irritate the kidneys more than
young leaves.
Note:
No irrigation therapy if edema exists due to impaired heart or kidney
function.
Hypertension (high Blood Pressure) patients
should not consume Nettle as it further raises Blood Pressure.
Rarely,
people who drink Nettle tea have reported upset Stomachs.
Use During Pregnancy And Lactation.
No restrictions known
Interactions with Other Drugs.
None
known
Doctrine of signatures
Hairs on leaves impart sting
and structurally resemble respiratory system also the pins and needles
of types of arthritis.
Lots of hairs on the plant indicate use as hair-restorer.
Astrology.
Scorpio influence.
Nettle is ruled by Mars, Moon, Saturn
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