Nettle: A magical stem to cure your body pain; this is how people label it in Uttarakhand. Stinging nettle is a popular herbal, nutritious plant. Highly popular in Western herbal medicine.
Stinging Nettle Scientific Name - Other Names
A stinging nettle is popular as Bichhu Buti. This name is added due to the electric shock feeling one gets when being touched by it.
In Tamil, it is called Kuppaimeni. In Kannada, it is called Gidada Elegalu. In the Nepali language, it is called Kandualli or Kandali.
Scientifically, it is called Urtica Dioca. It comes from some Latin word called Uro. It indicates burn as the leaves of these plants can lead to a temporary burning sensation when in contact but later add relief. It is loaded with iron and minerals.
Qualities of Stinging Nettle - Don't Miss
During our last visit to Uttaranchal, we met an old lady walking straight and smoothly in the hilly areas. When asked how she has no pain in her joints or any body part at this age, she showed a branch of stinging nettle and asked us which part of our body was in pain. When we showed her, she hit that part slowly with the stinging nettle and a current stronger than an electric shock was felt for less than five seconds. Surprisingly, after that, the pain was gone, as if it had never existed. Nature has various ways to heal, and it is indeed one of them.
You must be wondering how it happened or if it is magical. It is naturally blessed to deal with several diseases, including anaemia and joint pain. It is extremely rich in minerals and iron. Talking about the health benefits, it controls hay fever symptoms, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and inflammation, among other benefits.
It has played an important role in herbal medicine for ages. Back in history ancient Egyptians used it to treat painful lower back pain and arthritis. Roman troops are known to use it differently than they used to keep themselves warm.
The hair-like structures on the stinging nettle leaves produce redness, swelling, and itching. Yes, a single nettle leaf can do all that! Companies are processing it into supplements. People further dry it, freeze it, or keep the cooked version to consume it in the safest way.
Many health benefits are there associated with the stinging nettle. Let us explore them one by one:
Full of Nutrients- Enjoy Good Health
If you have ever seen or used stinging nettle leaves or their roots, you would have known how useful it is. Let us see what nutrients it brings to the users:
- Vitamins: It has Vitamin A, K & C in it. It also possesses the quality of Vitamin B in it.
- Fats: It has all the good fats in it, including linoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid.
- Amino Acid: It has all the essential amino acids quality in it.
- Polyphenols: Check the stinging nettle for caffeic acid, coumarins, kaempferol, quercetin, and other flavonoids in it.
- Pigments: It has beta-carotene, luteoxanthin, lutein and several other carotenoids.
It's not enough! These nutrients behave like antioxidants, too. Studies show that nettle can quickly raise the level of antioxidant levels. One cannot be sure that they will get the same amount of nutrients in it in herbal supplements.
May Control Inflammation
Stinging nettle brings a number of compounds that may help with controlling inflammation. It might help with arthritis if you apply it in the form of cream or consume it in any other way.
It might reduce the extreme pain faced by people who are suffering from acute arthritis. People also claimed they reduced their painkiller doses after taking stinging nettle in different ways. Research is still ongoing to claim its anti inflammatory properties to be more appealing.
Might Help With Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
It is believed that people above 50 commonly experience enlarged prostate glands. The reason is unknown, but it seems to be common. It is believed that stinging nettle might help with BPH. It might help with urination problems, too, but it is always advisable to contact your health specialists before trying anything new.
Might Help In Hay Fever
There is an old Uttarakhandi story that narrates how, long back, people in some villages of Uttarakhand village experienced inflammation in the lining of the nose, which we regard as hay fever scientifically. The medicine world was not advanced at that time, and it is believed this medicinal plant helped them to get rid of it. It is a natural way to treat hay fever. One needs to consult a doctor before starting something new to treat it.
Other Benefits That You Can't Overlook
Stinging nettle is loaded with several other benefits.
- Reduced Bleeding: Medicines that have stinging nettles in them might help control excessive bleeding. It might help more if any surgery has happened.
- Aid In Liver Help: Antioxidant properties of nettles might help the liver from any damage by toxins, inflammation and toxic metals.
- Might Help in Natural Diuretic: This plant might appear to be a good assistance in shedding extra salt, which might be beneficial for lowering blood pressure.
- Burn Healing Or Wound Assistance: Creams made with stinging nettle might help in these two when applied on it regularly.
Everyone Can Use Stinging Nettle-Is There Any Exception
Stinging nettle is full of health benefits, but some special people might be careful while consuming it. It helps people to heal terrible pain and inflammation to a great extent, but these people need to be extra careful while using it.
Pregnant Women: Women who are expecting a baby or feeding their newborn child need to be extra careful with any new addition to their diet. Always consider your doctor's advice before grabbing anything new to your body or diet.
People on Medication: People who are taking medicine for blood thinning, lithium, water pills, blood pressure, and diabetes should avoid it.
Ways To Consume It
It is very simple to add stinging nettle to your life. You can buy it from the nearby stores or online. Some people prefer
Stinging nettle is incredibly simple and easy to add to your daily routine. Some people prefer growing it themselves. You can buy it in the raw, dried, or frozen form. Capsules, creams and tinctures are also available in the market, which can be used too. People are often seen using its ointments to get relief from osteoarthritis symptoms.
People are lately consuming it by boiling the dried leaves of stinging nettle in the form of herbal tea for better results. People are also seen cooking its leaves, stem and even roots to make soups or smoothies of it. Some people are frying it.
Note Of Precaution
Doctors prefer to have the dry or frozen form of the leaves and not the fresh ones. The reason can be their barbs, which might attract irritation.
Consult your regular health specialist before you consider starting any stinging nettle supplements, as they know your health and body well.
The Bottom Line
Nettles are too beneficial and can be used to make several useful and wellness products. It can be used to make nettle wine, soup, Jus d'ortie, and nettle tea. Some people say it can add shine to the hair, too. It can add more to your mood and health if used properly.
Stinging nettle is highly beneficial. Just be careful in using it. Consult your doctor first before adding any new herbal plants or supplements so that you remain forever healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the myth associated with stinging nettles?
According to Nordic lore, nettles are considered to be a plant sacred to Thor and claim to protect against lightning. If we consider several other cultures, it is considered a threshold herb and is known to fill the gap between life and death.
2. What exactly do stinging nettles symbolize?
In ancient herbal medicine, nettles were considered a major part of Asia and Europe. It has a symbolic relationship between punishment and protection.
3. What is the popular theory behind stinging nettle?
Stinging nettles have endless trichomes, which are tiny hollow hairs on their surface. Whenever you pass through it, and you happen to bruise this hair, you will find their silica tips, which are too fragile, will break off. The remaining hair will act like that spiky needle.
4. Was stinging nettle used in the Harry Potter story?
Nettles were seen being used in potion-making in the Harry Potter Half-Blood Prince. It was seen that he used dried nettles in the making of the boil cure potion and even for the hair-dying potion.
