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| itch. The stinging hairs of fresh nettles contain formic acid, but when dried or steamed, the plant acids are neutralized and nettle loses its sting. |
| Nettle is an excellent blood builder, especially in anemia. Nettle is also used to stop bleeding, both internally and externally. An excellent rejuvenative tonic, nettle improves skin conditions, such as eczema and rashes, and as a tea is useful for inflammatory conditions of the bladder and kidneys, including cystitis. Its high mineral content makes it beneficial for overcoming fatigue and raising low energy levels. |
| Its nourishing and immune-stimulating properties make it useful for arthritis and gout as well as allergies and hay fever. In Europe an effective, albeit painful, treatment for arthritis involves flogging the arthritic area with a bouquet of nettles. Herbal authority, James Duke, Ph.D. claims that this treatment, called urtication, helped eliminate the gout pain in his elbow. |
| Nettle is also given as a expectorant in respiratory conditions, and recent double-blind studies have demonstrated freeze-dried nettle's effectiveness in the treatment and prevention of allergy symptoms. |
| Young, spring-gathered nettles have long been a traditional tonic, and their chlorophyll content ranks among the highest of all green plants. Nettle is considered a safe plant, especially in teas or infusions. Young spring nettles are considered best, as hard mineral conglomerates concentrated in older nettles can be irritating to the kidneys. |
| Nettle tea is usually made by infusing 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaf in 8 ounces of water. Drink 1 cup, three times daily. The suggested dose for tincture is 1 or 2 teaspoons diluted in water, three times daily. Another delicious way to enjoy nettles is to steam them, as you would spinach, and add to other dishes such as rice and grains, pasta, omelets, casseroles and stews. Fresh nettle juice is |
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