What is nettle? Nettle, or stinging nettle, is a shrub that comes from northern Europe, Asia, and South America. The plant has heart-shaped leaves and yellow or pink flowers, and the stem has tiny, stiff hairs that release stinging chemicals when touched. I saw this plant on one of my trips to Ecuador and touched it with the tip of my finger; it was just a tiny bit that I touched, so the sting was minimal.
The leaves, stem, or root from the nettle plant can be crushed and made into powders, tinctures, creams, teas, and more. Once the plant is completely dry, it can be handled with your hands, and it can no longer sting you. This plant has been used for centuries as herbal medicine, but recent research has discovered its potential health and skin benefits, making it more popular in recent years.
There are tons of health benefits that come from nettle leaf plants, from health to skincare benefits. These are some health and skincare benefits that I have found while researching this plant. *Be sure to talk to your doctor before you try any new herb or supplement. Even all-natural foods and drinks like tea can cause allergic reactions or interact with certain medications. Some herbs and supplements can be harmful to people with certain health conditions.
1. Skin Benefits
Nettle leaf benefits your skin and hair. This plant acts as natural astringent, tightens and firms your skin, regulates natural sebum production, treats acne, promotes flawless skin. Accelerates the healing process of wounds and burns, helps with skin allergies, heals eczema. Our Nettle Leaf Face Soap is handcrafted with organic nettle leaf plant
At Cleansing Essentials, Nettle Leaf Powder and Nettle Leaves is our all-natural way of adding color and amazing skin benefits to our soaps. We also use Bentonite Clay, and French Green Clay, to add color and for the amazing skin benefits they have.
Our Nettle Leaf and Aloe Face Soaps are made with pure organic nettle leaf, spearmint essential oil, organic aloe oil, organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, castor oil, extra virgin olive oil, and French green clay for amazing skincare benefits.
2. Urinary tract health Nettle leaf may help flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract. By flushing out your urinary tract, you reduce urinary conditions such as BPH, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which causes enlarged prostate gland in men. According to a Kowsar Medical Institute, Article men with BPH who took nettle extract had fewer clinical symptoms than those who didn't. Nettle leaf may also help support any medications or supplements taken for UTI's. Make sure to talk to your doctor for possible interactions between herbal remedies and medications before intruding this into your diet.
3. Arthritis and pain
Nettle leaf has been recognized by The Arthritis Foundation to help treat pain and sore muscles, especially related to arthritis. They have suggested that it reduces inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis.
4. Blood sugar management Nettle may help the pancreas make or release more insulin, the hormone that lowers blood sugar. In a National Library of Medicine Article, published in 2013, nettle leaf extract lowered blood glucose and A1C in a group of people with type 2 diabetes who were taking insulin and oral diabetes medications. Make sure to consult your doctor if you are already taking diabetes medication before you start taking nettle leaf.
5. Polyphenols Nettle Leaf is high in plant chemicals called polyphenols. Polyphenols are micronutrients that we get through certain plant-based foods. They are packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits. According to an article by MDPI, Polyphenols are potent compounds that could play a role in the prevention and management of chronic diseases related to inflammation, such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and heart disease.
6. Antioxidants
Plants like nettle also contain potent antioxidants, which are substances that protect the body from aging and cell damage. Antioxidants have been known to reduce your chances of disease and cancer.
These are only some benefits related to Nettle Leaf. There is a wide variety of information related to health benefits fo Nettle Leaf. Some health benefits have not been widely studied, which makes it hard to claim their actual contributions to helping and healing healthcare issues.
How to make nettle tea You can buy nettle tea lose or in teabags, but you can also grow or harvest the leaves yourself. With fresh leaves, experiment with the ratio of nettle to water you prefer, but a general reference is two cups of water for every cup of leaves.
I use one teaspoon of nettle leaf per cup of hot water. I make about six cups and put it in a large pitcher for a cold glass of tea daily. If you rather make hot tea, This is how:
- Bring the water just to a boil.
- Turn off the stove and let sit for five minutes.
- Pour the mixture through a small strainer.
- Add a bit of honey, cinnamon, or stevia, if you like.
Start out by only having one cup of nettle tea to make sure you don’t have any reactions to it.
