12 replies to this topic

[moonstar]

FDA: Herb of "undefined safety"

Rich in: Iron,Vit.C,Calcium,Magnesium, Postassium

Safety Factors: If used frequently, be sure to eat foods high in potassium because nettles is a diuretic. Large doses of tea may cause stomach irritation, burning skin and urinary suppression.

Other: Was used in weaving before it became a popular healing herb. During WWI when cotton was in short supply, nettle cloth was used. Has been used in European Bath & foot soaks for centuries. Used as a seasoning for salads & veg.

Medicinal Uses:

Indians Used it for: colds, coughs, gout,hair loss,stomach
aches.

Supposed to be good for: Bleeding-stops diarrhea hemorrhaging-internal,external conjestion muscle & joint pain sprains sore throat scurvy

[gardnmom]

More on Stinging Nettles from
http://sd.essortment.com/stingingnettles_rupx.htm
Stinging nettles plant and its medicinal benefits
What in the world can stinging nettle plant be used for? That pesky stinging weed we find in the back yard or out in the woods that we want to rid ourselves of actually has medicinal benefits.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stinging Nettle a perennial native to Europe and the United States has been used traditionally as a diuretic, astringent, blood builder and in treating anemia because of its high iron content. It has been used in the form of dried leaves or juice extracted from the leaves.
In addition the powdered leaves fresh leaf juice have been applied to cuts to stop bleeding, drank as a tea to reduce menstrual bleeding and in treating nosebleeds and hemorrhoids.
Recently studies have found that the leaf tea aids in coagulation and formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Stinging nettle diuretic activities has shown increased excretion of chlorides and urea in animals. The high potassium content and flavonoids may be what contributes to its diuretic action. In Europe it is used to help in the treatment of kidney infections.
New research studies have found that this herb helps in relief of urinary difficulties associated with early stages of benign prostate hyperplasic (BPH). It does not effect or decrease the enlargement of the prostate but increases the urinary output and decreases the urge at night.
Cautions: Fresh nettle leaves sting as we all probably know and the sting lasts up to about an hour after coming in contact with the skin. What makes the nettle sting are the compounds in the nettle such as histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, acetylcholine and small amounts of formic acid and leukotrienes. All of this together gives that awful sting we feel when touched. There are no side effects known to the medical field if touched.
The dried leaf is used as a tea, capsule, or tablet. There are tinctures available as well. This herb is found on the market recently combined with saw palmetto. A daily recommended dosage of 1-2 tablespoons of the dried herb is used for supporting in the treatment of inflammation of the urinary tract. Preparation of the root dosage is about 1 tablespoon in tea 2-3 times daily.
Always consult a physician before using any kind of herb as a treatment.

[Freetobeme]

Wear the rubber gloves like you use for washing dishes to collect nettle. It really does sting!

[moonstar]

Isn't it's juice a remedy for the sting? Think I read that somewhere.

[Freetobeme]

Yes, but those little hairs can stick into you. It's less painful to wear the gloves. The new little leaves don't sting, but the older ones do.

[plentiousgrace]

A few additions to nettle usage for you to consider.

Heres a good way to collect nettle leaves, or skin the stem for fibre usage.

Take your knife and at a fourty five degree angle cut through the bottom of the stem, If you don't have a knife but need the stem then kick the stem into a rock or the ground, it should break off easily.

Grasping at base of the stem lightly whilst moving your hand upwards towards tip, take a solid hold of the base.
This upward motion keeps the tip of the hair from penetrating your skin.

Now brace yourself.
Take the other hand and quickly run it up the entire length of the stem. The leaves will simply slide into a bunch in your hand.

Trust me this does work, Sometimes you will get stung but with practice it is very easy.
You mainlly get stung from under neath the leaf just at the joiunt, if you keep the grip tight this doesn't happen as a leaf gets into that position very quickly.
So if you get stung at all it should be from under the first leaf.
If you get stung, take a cigarette lighter to a leaf edge, burning off all the hairs, this takes micro seconds. chew the leaf then rub on to affected area.

Also Dock leaves tend to grow in the same habitat as nettle in the wild, have a look for one of them and apply juice.

I am not sure if the addition of saliva makes a more effective sting remedy or not, but it is easier to extract the juice this way.

Nettle works fantastically on the hair, lightly steamed and fed to horses it is said to improve coat greatly.

Soaking 2/3 cups of fresh nettles in apple cider vinegar, for two weeks, shaking daily, left in sun, and straining will act as a great tonic rinse for the hair. Makes it very soft and strong, thickens it a bit too.

Deep fried nettle leaves make great little potatoe like chips, don't let them brown. I am not sure of the temperature, but 20 seconds per leaf is about right.
Drop them in salt, let them cool on a towel to absorb excess oil and serve.

DO you want to know how to make cordage from it?

Thanks for listening

[Mother]

Of course we want to know how to make cordage out of it.... But, would that be better posted in homestead or somewhere? I know I would go searching there for the info.

Mother

[Stephanie]

Bump (I've just started Stinging Nettles)

[Andrea]

Bump (I've just started Stinging Nettles)

How funny. I've planted stinging nettles this year too! Don't know if I'll get up the courage to eat them, but I've definitely been stung inadvertantly a couple of times so far this season. Aloe, which I have growing in a couple of spots around the yard, takes care of it beautifully! It's supposed to be a perennial here and is also supposed to be beneficial to tomatoes which is where I have it growing - next to the tomatoes.

It's also rated a "5" on the Plants for a Future Database: http://www.pfaf.org/...p?Urtica dioica

Edited by Andrea, 17 April 2009 - 10:16 AM.

[kappydell]

I wish I had some growing around me!! They are tasty as a greens substitute and I sure love cream of nettle soup! The cordage and hair rinse uses are nice pluses. The neighbors already think I am crazy for picking my weeds....

[Andrea]

Seems like you could also plant it as a defensive measure . . .


kappy, do you have a recipe for your nettle soup?

[urbanforager]

Seems like you could also plant it as a defensive measure . . .


kappy, do you have a recipe for your nettle soup?

Yes please, we'd like the recipe! I loves me some nettles -- haven't yet tried cream of nettle soup.