There's a forest near our dacha, where I pick all the herbs, berries, and mushrooms. There are no factories, landfills, or cars there, so the product is environmentally friendly. This is the most important advantage. Nettles also grow on the property, which my grandmother, then my mother, and now I always used.
I never buy weed, even though it's now available in a wide variety. I prefer to pick it myself. Especially since it grows practically everywhere. I recommend wearing rubber gloves when picking it—it's a known irritant.
The cause of the burns is the hairs present on the surface of the leaves. These hairs protect the plant from animals. When they come into contact with the skin, a liquid mixture (formic acid, choline, and histamine) is released as an allergen. This mixture causes irritation and even blisters.
What does nettle contain?
The composition of nettle herb is very rich:
- vitamins – A, B5, B9, B6, B1, B4, C, E, K;
- mineral compounds – calcium, iron, copper, iodine, potassium, magnesium, manganese.
The herb contains many essential oils, phenolic and pantothenic acids, amino acids, flavonoids, formic acid, silicon, acetylcholine, nicotine alkaloid, etc.
After heat treatment, the plant retains all its nutritional elements.
Properties of the herb
For medicinal purposes, you can use the leaves, inflorescences, roots, and seeds. All of them contain a wealth of beneficial elements that are essential for the human body. Let me say right away that we use nettle not only for medicinal purposes but also for preventative purposes.
It is advisable to use nettle in the following cases:
- Any inflammatory processes. By suppressing inflammation in the body, the herb is recommended for colds, arthritis, arthrosis, and other joint conditions. If a man has problems with the prostate gland and genitourinary system, the situation can be corrected with nettle.
For women – inflammation of the appendages and ovaries. - Pain syndromes. Absolutely any pain can be relieved with a nettle decoction or tincture, especially when it comes to joint problems.
- Prostate hypertrophy. This is a condition in which the prostate gland not only becomes inflamed but also enlarged. It is a type of benign tumor. Prostate reduction is achieved by inhibiting testosterone conversion.
- Injuries. Nettle compresses can be applied to any bruises, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and bruises. They will reduce pain and reduce swelling.
- Hay fever. It manifests itself as an allergic reaction, accompanied by inflammation in the nasal mucosa. Using nettle eliminates the unpleasant symptoms.
- Hypertension. Nettle substances activate nitric oxide, which acts as a vasodilator, resulting in the relaxation of the walls of the circulatory system and a decrease in blood pressure.
- Diabetes mellitus. The herb contains elements that act on the body like insulin, so when consumed regularly as a tea drink, it helps reduce blood glucose levels.
- Bleeding. Esculin, tannins, and other substances combine with blood proteins to synthesize hemoglobin. This, in turn, promotes blood clotting, which is important in postoperative periods. Nettle infusions can also be taken by women with painful and heavy menstrual periods. It also improves the condition of the uterus and appendages.
- Liver. Often, underlying problems arise from the presence of toxins, free radicals, and other harmful substances in the body. Nettle removes them.
- Regeneration of skin tissue. The products help restore skin, quickly heal wounds and improve the condition after burns.
Nettle is also used for:
- reduction of swelling;
- normalization of digestion;
- increasing bile production;
- stimulation of metabolism, especially fats;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- hair growth.
From my own experience, I know that each specific problem requires a specific remedy. You can make ointments, teas, decoctions, various tinctures, fresh juices, and even seeds. But that's a separate topic, deserving special attention.