All you need to know about nettles

Nettle is one of the plants you absolutely have to know, and not for its bad reputation as a stinging plant! In fact, I'd say it's a good thing it's stinging to protect itself, because it would surely have been raked up long ago. The more a nettle plant is raked or eaten, the more it defends itself by producing stinging hairs. It draws many vitamins (A, B, C and K), minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, etc.) and trace elements from the soil. It's a nutritious plant, and has even more iron than spinach! Just so you know, nettle loses all its sting once ground, cooked, dried, with vinegar or about 15 hours after being cut.

I always pick it in spring/early summer, before it flowers, to get the most of its active ingredients, and then dry it so I can have some on hand all year round. I also pick the seeds when they're still green, as they also have a number of interesting benefits!

History

• In Neolithic times, yes yes, well before J-C! The plant was already being used as a vegetable and textile. A prehistoric man named Otzi, whose body was found in an Alpine glacier in 1991, possessed a knife with a sheath made of nettle fiber.

• Hippocrates, the Greek physician of the time (460-370 BC), recommended 61 different nettle-based remedies. Several other physicians gave great importance to nettle, including Dioscorides, who mentioned the aphrodisiac properties of nettle seeds, and Saint Hildegard of Bingen, who recommended its use to purge the stomach.

• In Roman times, nettle was used as a medicinal plant for many ailments. There's even a widespread ancient belief, extending as far as medieval Europe, that a spring cure of nettles would protect against illness for the whole year. When you know all the properties of nettle, it's easy to see why it was so popular. Roman soldiers also used nettle to ward off the cold and rheumatism caused by their heavy packs during expeditions.

• Nettle has been of great importance to mankind over the years.

• During great famines, nettle cultivation was predominant, as it is a highly nutritious and abundant plant. It enabled many people to survive in times of food shortage, including during the Hundred Years' War and the great Irish famine.

• In the Middle Ages, nettles were grown as animal fodder. The leaves consumed by cows and hens improved their milk and egg productivity. What's more, nettle-fed animals were more resistant to disease and parasites. A few days before breeding, stallions were given a daily portion of nettle seed to give them more drive.

• Over the centuries, many countries have used nettle fiber to make textiles. The fiber was useful for making all kinds of clothes, sheets and tablecloths.

• Since it was more resistant to humidity than cotton, it was used for boat sails and fishing nets.

• During the Second World War, the shortage of cotton forced Germany to turn to nettle to make military uniforms and parachutes.

Spirituality

• In astrology, nettle is associated with the planet Mars, sign of Aries and Scorpio, due to its stinging action and the fact that it is one of the first plants of spring.

• In Ireland, carrying a nettle leaf in one's pocket was considered good luck, as it was in Piedmont: it protects the wearer from any evil spells.

• In Germany, nettle picked before sunrise was reputed to ward off evil spirits that tormented livestock.

• It is linked to Thor, the god of Norse mythology, through his role as deity of thunder. Linked to lightning, if worn or burned, it is said to protect against lightning.

• It is associated with healing, protection and purification spells. It combats negative influences and provides the strength to endure and face hardship.

• According to popular belief, making a rag doll filled with nettle would protect you from spellcasters by returning their evil spells.

• Anny Schneider, a passionate herbalist, recommends nettle for blessing swords and serpents for ritual plant gathering.

• In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, nettle is associated with the pitta dosha element, represented by fire.

• In flower essences, it's a plant that encourages movement and helps us get back into action. It helps us to have harmonious exchanges and strengthen family or friendly ties. It facilitates conflict resolution and alleviates jealousy by providing the necessary distance.

Medicine

The whole plant (roots, stems, leaves and seeds) has interesting medicinal properties. To get the most out of its virtues, if you pick the leaves, it's essential to pick the young shoots in early summer, as they taste better too.

• Eliminates toxins that have accumulated in the body. It acts by stimulating the elimination functions of organs such as the kidneys and liver, thus promoting the body's natural detoxification process.

• A natural anti-inflammatory, nettle helps rheumatism, arthritis, tendonitis and other problems associated with inflammation in the body.

• Nutritive & remineralizing, rich in essential minerals and vitamins, it is a good dietary supplement to counter deficiencies.

• A general tonic, it helps counter daily fatigue. Ideal if you're regularly tired and sluggish, as it keeps you gently awake throughout the day.

• Seasonal allergy: Nettle is a good remedy to counter seasonal allergy symptoms if consumed as a tea 3 weeks before allergic reactions.

• A diuretic, it eliminates water and toxins through the urine. By eliminating excess water, it reduces water retention problems throughout the body.

• Asthma, pneumonia & pleurisy: helps relieve symptoms by increasing respiratory capacity and improving air circulation in the respiratory tract.

• Spleen disorders: reduces the burden on the spleen by eliminating toxins and promoting blood circulation. It helps maintain a healthy spleen.

• Swelling, nettle helps relieve swelling associated with conditions such as arthritis, injury or allergic reactions. Ideally used as a poultice directly on the area to be treated.

• For erectile dysfunction, nettle seeds have the same effect as the famous blue pill (10g max per day, otherwise drastic purge).

• Promotes lactation, stimulating the production of breast milk in nursing mothers.

• Kidney tonic, helps regenerate kidney tissue, particularly the seed.

• Adaptogenic, increases the body's ability to adapt to stress and improves vital bodily functions. Nettle also stimulates the immune system.

• Alkalizing: with our often overly acidic diet, nettle restores the stomach's acid-base balance and helps maintain the stability of intestinal flora.

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia: several studies have demonstrated its effectiveness, with a 70% reduction in prostate volume and a reduction in residual urine. The root is best taken in powdered form, so that it can be assimilated by the body as quickly as possible.

• To reduce hair loss, use nettle decoction as a hair rinse. It also helps control excess sebum and improve hair appearance by adding shine and volume.

Uses

• Herbal tea, infusion, decoction: This is the most widely used method of obtaining its medicine. For nettle to be most effective, it is advisable to take it over the long term, at least 1 month as an infusion, for its beneficial effects to be felt. Nettle takes effect over time and must be taken over a long period. For maximum effectiveness, leave 4 teaspoons of nettle to infuse overnight (8 hours) in 1 liter of water, and drink during the day. The decoction can be drunk cold or hot, or mixed into drinks, soups, etc. Personally, I like to infuse it with a little mint, which adds a freshness and removes the nettle's earthy taste.

• Cataplasm: On the skin, it is useful for removing inflammation and pain due to arthritis, tendonitis, rheumatism etc. To be even more effective, mince nettle leaves with green clay before applying to the painful area. Remove the poultice when the mixture has dried.

• Mother tincture: More effective than herbal tea for curative use, this can be made from seeds, leaves or roots, depending on the desired effect. Dr. Bach recommends 10 drops of nettle tincture 3 times a day for internal use, again to be taken over a long period like decoctions.

Other uses

• Nettle manure improves compost decomposition, stimulates plant growth and defends against disease and insects. Nettle purin is a repellent against green and black aphids and mites, as well as apple, carrot and leek worms.

• Keeps apples and pears from spoiling and ensures good preservation in winter, by laying them on a bed of dried nettle. This is how our ancestors sometimes survived the winter.

• Replaces spinach in all recipes.

As a vegetable, it can be used in a wide variety of recipes, including soups, lasagne, cheese, quiche, tarts and Scottish nettle pudding. Goes well with sorrel.

Contraindications

• Nettle should not be consumed in large doses in cases of renal insufficiency, as it can suppress urination.

• Nettle is contraindicated in cases of iron overload, due to its high iron content.

• In rare cases, nettle can provoke allergic reactions: hives, itching and stomach pains.

• Consumed over a long period, nettle can cause dryness of the mouth, skin and mucous membranes. In this case, it can be combined with licorice.

• Old leaves contain calcium carbonate, which is irritating to the kidneys and should be avoided! Old leaves have a rather repulsive taste. The leaves should be harvested in early summer; if you buy nettle leaves, choose a reputable producer.

• Do not urticate pregnant women or young children, as the histamine in the hairs (3%) is neurotoxic.

• Incompatible with diuretic, sedative anti-inflammatory, digitalis and hypertension treatments.

• Since nettle is high in vitamin K, it may interfere with the treatment of patients on anticoagulants.

• Also not recommended for lithium oligotherapy, as it reduces absorption.

• Do not use in cases of edema caused by retention due to cardiac or renal insufficiency.

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References

• https://www.herboristerieduvalmont.com/blog/les-vertus-et-bienfaits-de-lortie

• livre les vertus de l’ortie par Yves Tissier

• https://booksofdante.wordpress.com/2023/02/10/les-orties-urtica