Nettle: useful properties and contraindications, recipes for decoctions, infusions

The healing properties of nettle are an interesting topic for connoisseurs of folk health recipes. A well-known plant is used to treat a wide variety of ailments.

The value and chemical composition of nettle

Nettle is highly valued due to its rich chemical composition. The leaves and stems of the plant contain:

• ascorbic acid;
• tannins;
• flavonoids;
• copper, iron and magnesium;
• phytoncides;
• calcium;
• chlorophyll;
• glycosides and phytoncides;
• tannin components;
• organic acids.

The herb also contains natural sugars, starch and ash.

What vitamins are in nettle

The medicinal properties of the plant are due to the high content of vitamins. In addition to ascorbic acid, the grass contains:

• carotene – 101 μg;
• V1 — 0,008 mg;
• V3 — 0,388 mg;
• B9 – 14 mcg;
• beta-carotene — 1150 mcg;
• vitamin K – 498 mcg;
• V2 — 0,16 mg;
• B4 – 17,4 mg.

What are the properties of nettle

Nettle has numerous medicinal properties. With proper use, the plant:

• normalizes metabolism and speeds up bowel function;
• increases blood clotting;
• fights inflammation;
• improves cardiac and respiratory activity;
• accelerates tissue healing;
• has a stimulating and tonic effect;
• normalizes the level of hemoglobin.

Decoctions and infusions based on the plant have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and help prolong youth.

Nettle has diuretic properties and helps to cope with swelling.

Medicinal properties of nettle leaves

Nettle leaves contain a high amount of B vitamins and ascorbic acid, as well as chlorophyll. The medicinal properties of plant materials help to strengthen the immune system and protect blood vessels and the heart from ailments, get rid of excess weight and improve digestion. Skin is treated with infusions and decoctions, nettle tea is used for gout, nervous disorders and colds.

Benefits of nettle juice

Fresh juice from the stems and leaves of nettle is used to stimulate digestion and in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys and pancreas. In addition, it can be used externally, for rubbing and lotions for skin diseases and injuries.

Useful properties of seeds and roots

Nettle roots have a mild laxative and choleretic effect, are used for constipation and liver ailments. Useful substances in their composition contribute to the production of interferon and provide protection against viruses.

The seeds of the plant contain a large amount of linoleic acid and flavonoids. Their medicinal properties can be used to improve potency, stop bleeding and increase overall tone.

What is useful nettle for a person

Useful properties of nettle for the human body are used:

• with constipation;
• with allergies and skin itching;
• to improve kidney function;
• to increase the elasticity of the vascular walls;
• to improve uterine tone;
• with slow production of gastric juice;
• with pain in the intestines and increased gas formation;
• with inflammatory diseases and coughing;
• with gastritis and pancreatitis;
• with weak bile production.

You can use the healing properties of nettle for respiratory ailments – bronchitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis. Herbal raw materials help to eliminate bacterial processes and promote the excretion of sputum.

For men

It is useful for men to take nettle-based products to improve the functioning of the reproductive system. The medicinal properties of the plant increase potency and relieve inflammation of the urogenital area.

For women

It is recommended for women to use nettle for skin care and curls, for weight loss and relieving PMS symptoms. The healing properties of decoctions and infusions of the plant help with heavy menstruation and hot flashes during menopause.

How to brew nettle for drinking and more

Basically, traditional medicine uses nettle-based water products:

1. Decoction for internal use. Dry nettle leaves are crushed in the volume of a large spoon, pour 300 ml of water and warm over low heat for a quarter of an hour. The finished product is cooled, filtered and topped up with 200 ml of liquid. You need to drink a decoction three times a day, 100 ml.
2. Decoction for external use. A skin and hair care product is also prepared from the foliage of the plant. 500 g of dried raw materials are placed in a saucepan, filled to the top with water and brought to a boil, and then immediately removed and cooled. Before use, the product can be diluted in a ratio of 1: 1 with a clean liquid.
3. Infusion. If you need to prepare medicine for external and internal use quickly, you can simply pour a large spoonful of dried nettle with a glass of boiling water. The drug is kept under the lid for 40 minutes. The dosage of the infusion depends on the specific recipe, usually 100 ml of the drug is used up to three times a day.

Before processing, nettle leaves are washed from dust and scalded with boiling water.

On the basis of nettle, you can also prepare an alcohol tincture with medicinal properties. There are two recipe options:

1. On young leaves and shoots. The crushed raw materials in a glass vessel are filled with vodka to the top and cleaned in a dark place for a week, and then filtered.
2. On the roots. The washed and crushed parts of the plant are combined with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 1 and left in a darkened cabinet for a month.

You can take the tincture orally three times a day or externally to rub the skin and joints. It is recommended to use the medicinal properties of the drug without interruption for no longer than ten days, so as not to cause harm to health.

A single dosage of nettle tincture should not exceed 5 ml

In all cases, for the preparation of medicinal compositions, traditional medicine advises taking young leaves and stems, their medicinal properties are above all. Nettle roots must be harvested in the fall, when they have time to accumulate a maximum of valuable substances. Raw materials are collected exclusively in clean places with good ecology.

It is not customary to boil nettles for more than 20 minutes. Excessive heat treatment negatively affects the composition of the plant and leads to a decrease in medicinal properties.

The use of nettle for human health

Nettle is very often found in folk recipes for health promotion. Its medicinal properties are used locally and internally according to proven schemes.

For hair

You can use the healing properties of nettle decoction with weakened curls. The herbal remedy strengthens the hair follicles, eliminates dandruff and helps to normalize the oiliness of the scalp. The decoction is simply rinsed with strands after washing.

With anemia

With reduced hemoglobin and anemia, the healing properties of a decoction of young nettle are used. It is necessary to warm four large spoons of dry raw materials on fire for no longer than ten minutes, and then insist for another half an hour. The strained remedy is drunk three times a day, 100 ml each.

With diabetes

Among the indications for the use of a decoction of nettle inside, there is mild diabetes mellitus. For treatment, use the usual decoction:

• a large spoonful of dry raw materials is poured into 300 ml of water;
• boil on low heat for 15 minutes;
• cool the product and filter through gauze.

The finished drink must be topped up with 200 ml of pure water. Take a decoction of 30 ml three times a day on an empty stomach.

With pancreatitis

The healing properties of nettle help with chronic pancreatitis. For therapy, you can prepare the following infusion:

• two large spoons of dry leaves are crushed;
• pour 500 ml of hot water;
• under the lid insist for an hour;
• filtered through cheesecloth.

Infusion should be consumed 50 ml up to three times a day.

Nettle infusion improves the production of pancreatic enzymes

When coughing

With a cold cough and bronchitis, a simple syrup can be prepared from the stems and leaves of nettle. The recipe looks like this:

• a large spoonful of raw materials finely chopped;
• pour 200 ml of water;
• add 200 g of sugar;
• boil the remedy for 15 minutes.

Sweet syrup is taken 10 ml up to four times a day until the condition improves.

For constipation

Nettle infusion helps with constipation, as it has a laxative effect. The drug is made like this:

• a large spoonful of raw materials is poured into 200 ml of boiling water;
• insist closed for half an hour;
• strain off the sediment and set aside.

You need to drink the drug in half a glass twice a day on an empty stomach. In total, treatment with nettle continues for ten days.

Gout

With salt deposits, nettle juice gives a good effect. To obtain it, you need to grind a few fresh washed leaves of the plant and push the gruel through cheesecloth. Take a remedy three times a day for a small spoon.

With hemorrhoids

The healing properties of nettle are good for hemorrhoids. The infusion on the leaves is prepared as follows:

• 10 g of dry raw materials are poured into a glass of boiling water;
• kept under the lid for about half an hour;
• passed through gauze.

It is necessary to use the infusion 50 ml three times a day. You can also use the tool for microclysters and lotions. The infusion may be added to sitz baths and taken in the evenings on a daily basis.

For the liver

The healing decoction of nettle helps restore and cleanse the liver. Prepare it like this:

• two large spoons of dry leaves pour 500 ml of water;
• boil after boiling over low heat for five minutes;
• pass through gauze and cool.

15 g of honey is added to the finished product. You need to use the medicine four times a day, 100 ml.

Nettle decoction helps to remove toxins from the body and reduces the burden on the liver.

With cholecystitis

The choleretic healing properties of nettle are beneficial for cholecystitis. For medicinal purposes, a decoction of the roots of the plant is used. They do it like this:

• two large spoons of raw materials are finely chopped;
• pour 250 ml of boiling water;
• for a minute, heat over low heat.

The broth is insisted under the lid for another hour, after which it is filtered. You need to take the remedy up to four times a day before meals, 50 ml.

With bleeding

With uterine bleeding and too heavy periods in women, you can take nettle juice. Drink it in a small spoon up to five times a day, diluted in 50 ml of pure water.

With colitis

From colitis, the medicinal properties of a collection of several medicinal herbs help well. Do it like this:

• mix 50 g of nettle leaves with an equal amount of pharmacy chamomile;
• add 50 g of dried blueberries and peppermint;
• measure three large spoons of raw materials and pour 750 ml of boiling water;
• kept in a thermos for 5 hours.

Then the product is filtered and drunk warm, 250 ml only once a day.

For diseases of the genitourinary system

With prostatitis and a decrease in potency in men, nettle infusion benefits – a large spoonful of raw materials is brewed with 1 liter of water. The agent is kept for 30 minutes under the lid and taken 100 ml three times a day.

With diseases of the digestive tract

Nettle is able to regulate the acidity of the stomach and intestinal peristalsis. With gastritis, sluggish digestion and pain, it is taken as an infusion. The recipe looks like this:

• pour a large spoonful of leaves with a glass of hot water;
• kept closed for 20 minutes;
• filter;
• add 5 g of natural honey.

You need to drink the infusion 1/3 cup three times a day on an empty stomach.

Nettle helps with increased gas formation in the intestines

For skin diseases

With furunculosis, abscesses, acne and pimples, fresh juice of a medicinal plant is useful. It is squeezed from young leaves and taken 15 ml every day until the condition improves. You can also rub the juice on the affected areas of the skin to relieve inflammation.

For muscle and joint pain

The anti-inflammatory and restorative properties of nettle are beneficial for rheumatism, arthritis, bruises and sprains. Medicinal infusions and decoctions of the plant are used for compresses and lotions. Also, once a day, you can take 15 ml of fresh juice from the leaves.

To improve kidney function

Nettle has diuretic properties and improves kidney function. For medicinal purposes, a decoction of the plant is prepared:

• 30 g of dry leaves pour 200 ml of boiling water;
• simmer on low heat for 15 minutes;
• strain through gauze.

You need to drink the remedy 150 ml three times a day on an empty stomach. In the broth, you can dilute a small spoonful of honey to improve the taste.

For healing burns, wounds and frostbite

To quickly restore damaged skin, you can use the healing properties of the powder from the stems, roots or leaves of the nettle. Dry raw materials are ground with a mortar or ground in a coffee grinder. The resulting powder is diluted with water until a slurry is obtained and sore spots are treated up to three times a day.

When losing weight

The cleansing and decongestant properties of nettle help to get rid of extra pounds faster. On a diet, you can use this infusion:

• 30 g of finely chopped leaves pour 300 ml of boiling water;
• kept closed for half an hour;
• filter.

You need to take a drink on a small spoon four times a day. The tool will speed up the metabolic processes and contribute to the removal of toxins. In order for the process of losing weight to go faster, it is necessary to combine the intake of nettle with a healthy diet and exercise.

The use of nettle

The medicinal properties of fresh and dry nettles are widely used in medicine, the pharmaceutical industry and cosmetology. You can even use environmentally friendly raw materials to add to culinary dishes.

In folk medicine

Traditional medicine uses the medicinal properties of nettle most widely. On the basis of the leaves, stems and roots of the herb, decoctions and infusions, alcohol preparations are prepared. Nettle is used to stop bleeding, inflammation and cough, gastritis and pancreatitis. The plant is added to therapeutic baths, lotions and compresses are made based on decoctions. Crushed leaves are used to make homemade ointments and balms.

Fresh nettle juice is used to relieve itching from insect bites.

In cosmetology

Young nettle can significantly improve the condition of problem skin. Its medicinal properties are used in the form of decoctions and lotions for acne, acne, rosacea and irritation, early wrinkles. The plant can be found in the composition of store lotions, tonics and masks.

Herbal remedies should be used to restore dry and brittle hair. With nettle infusion, you can regularly wash the curls so that they acquire a pleasant shine, silky structure and volume.

In official medicine

The medicinal properties of nettle are recognized by official medicine. Plant raw materials are part of domestic and foreign medicines. The herb can be found in preparations to stop gastrointestinal, hemorrhoidal and pulmonary bleeding. The rhizomes of the plant are present in the composition of anticancer drugs, as well as in ointments for the treatment of wounds and burns.

In pharmacology

The benefits of nettle for the body are actively used by the pharmaceutical industry. In pharmacies you can buy:

• nettle liquid extract – for external and internal use;
  
  

  Nettle extracts are alcoholic and aqueous

• medicinal tea in filter bags;
  
  

  Tea in filter bags can be brewed, as usual, directly in the cup

• dried seeds and roots.
  
  

  Seeds and dried nettle roots are often used to make hair rinses.

The laxative and choleretic drug Allohol, consisting of a plant extract with animal bile and garlic, is very popular. Also widely known shampoo “Nettle”, intended for the treatment of problematic and weakened curls.

In cooking

Young nettle contains a large amount of ascorbic acid, carotene, antioxidants and acids, and also has a pleasant taste. In the kitchen, it is used along with other herbs, often in combination with sorrel. Fresh grass can be added to salads and soups, and the dried plant is used as a seasoning for the first and second courses.

Nettle salad has a pleasant slightly sour taste.

Restrictions and contraindications

The benefits and harms of nettle are ambiguous, like any plant. It is not recommended to use the medicinal properties of the herb:

• with severe hypertension;
• with atherosclerosis;
• with varicose veins and tendency to thrombosis;
• with chronic kidney diseases;
• with malignant tumors.

A strict contraindication to the use of the medicinal properties of nettle is an individual allergy. Herbal remedies are not recommended to be used continuously for a long time. You can drink nettle for 30 days in a row, but no more. It thickens the blood, and excessive consumption increases the risk of developing cardiovascular abnormalities.

Conclusion

The medicinal properties of nettle are very diverse. Grass is widely used in medicine and cosmetology, has valuable nutritional qualities. Although in general the plant is considered safe, when using it, small dosages should be observed and therapy should be carried out with obligatory breaks.

Reviews on the use of nettle for medicinal purposes