Nettle is a poisonous plant. Video: nettle healing powder

The medicinal properties and contraindications of stinging nettle and stinging nettle have been known since ancient times. Caesar's legionaries whipped themselves with nettles to relieve pain and keep warm. The Greeks added nettle infusions to love potions to increase potency. And in Russian herbalists, this herb was primarily credited with wound healing and hemostatic properties. On Ivan Kupala, it was customary to beat each other with nettles in order to “burn out” diseases. If we consider the magical meaning of grass, then it is a symbol of unfortunate fate and love, with injections, "burning", suffering. In the folk traditions of the Slavs, nettle is a strong amulet that protects against negative energy. In Russia, nettle brooms were not only steamed to drive out evil spirits from the body, but they also swept floors to drive evil spirits out of the house.

Features of a medicinal plant

Healers note that among the variety of medicinal herbs it is difficult to find a plant that can be compared with nettle in terms of biological activity and beneficial effects on the human body. No wonder this plant symbol is so often found in legends, fairy tales, beliefs, proverbs and sayings.

area

Stinging nettle is a perennial medicinal plant. Distributed in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. Likes temperate climate. Grass can be found throughout Europe, in Siberia, the Far East, Asia, the Caucasus, northern Africa and even Australia. Grows well in nitrogenous soils. Refers to difficult to eradicate weeds. Grass grows along roads, fences, in wastelands, in ravines. He loves damp forests, clearings, meadows, river banks. Often forms dense thickets. The range of stinging nettle is the same as that of dioecious.

How to distinguish stinging nettle from stinging nettle

  • Dioecious. Perennial plant, height can reach 2 m. Forms large thickets.
  • Burning. Annual plant, height can reach 50 cm. It is distinguished by strongly burning hairs on leaves and stems. Does not form large thickets.

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Stinging nettle is also harvested as a medicinal raw material. In terms of medicinal properties, it is not inferior to stinging nettle. And, for example, only stinging nettle is used in homeopathy. Most often, its young leaves and shoots are collected, as well as roots. This is a useful multivitamin supplement to the spring diet. Salads and soups are prepared from young leaves. Dried stinging nettle is used as a seasoning.

healing action

What are the beneficial properties of nettle?

  • Tonic.
  • Antiseptic.
  • Blood purifying.
  • Hemostatic.
  • Vasoconstrictor.
  • Mild laxative.
  • Multivitamin.
  • Wound healing.
  • Anticonvulsant.
  • Choleretic.
  • Expectorant.
  • Painkiller.

Chemical composition:

  • multivitamin concentrate: vitamins C, A, K, B;
  • organic acids;
  • phytoncides;
  • glycosides;
  • chlorophyll;
  • gum;
  • minerals (especially a lot of iron, nickel, silicon, copper, manganese);
  • tannins;
  • cellulose;
  • starch;
  • glucokinins (lower blood sugar);
  • histamine (in stinging nettle hairs);
  • fats and proteins;
  • Sahara.

Indications

Under what diagnoses and symptoms will nettle treatment be effective?

  • Gynecology. Often used to stop uterine bleeding, with reduced uterine tone, in the postpartum period.
  • Diseases of the digestive tract. Used for diseases of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines. It is useful to take it orally for constipation, hemorrhoids, gastritis with high acidity, flatulence, and appetite disorders. The herb is also effective in dysentery, it acts as an antiseptic.
  • urinary system. The tool improves kidney function, it is prescribed for urolithiasis, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, as a diuretic for urinary retention and edema.
  • Respiratory system . It is useful to drink for colds, bronchitis and pneumonia, helps with tuberculosis (stops hemoptysis).
  • Allergy treatment. An effective remedy for hives and itching is the homeopathic preparation Urtica urens, which is made from stinging nettle. In addition to allergies, they are also treated for burns, urolithiasis, capillary dilation, hemorrhages, gout and other diseases.
  • Hemostatic agent. Vitamin K promotes rapid blood clotting. Therefore, since ancient times, grass has been taken for various bleeding - nasal, hemorrhoidal, uterine, renal, intestinal, pulmonary (hemoptysis).
  • Vascular and heart diseases. The herb has a beneficial effect on the work of the heart and blood vessels, helps with varicose veins, strengthens, narrows the walls of blood vessels, stimulates the muscles of the heart.
  • Diseases of muscles, bones and joints. Inside and outside, the remedy is used for gout, sciatica, rheumatism, osteomyelitis, arthritis.
  • Purification of the blood. Grass has a beneficial effect on carbohydrate metabolism in the body. It is prescribed for diabetes mellitus, they also drink it for weight loss (especially for losing weight on the abdomen and sides). The herb increases the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells. Chlorophyll contained in nettle has a stimulating effect on the immune system, improves the tone of the respiratory, digestive, and vascular systems. It acts as an antioxidant, removes toxins and toxins from the body.
  • Outdoor use. In dermatology, it is used for lichen, boils, acne, purulent wounds, including chronic varicose veins. From decoctions and infusions, lotions and compresses are made for burns, rheumatic pains.

In addition, the grass belongs to multivitamin preparations that are prescribed for the prevention of hypovitaminosis, spring beriberi, scurvy and anemia. The tool is recommended to take during the epidemic of SARS and influenza.

What are the contraindications of nettle? Renal failure, individual intolerance, increased blood clotting, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cancer, benign tumors, thrombophlebitis and a tendency to develop it. With great caution should be used in the elderly and children. Due to a number of contraindications, a doctor's consultation is necessary before using the herb.

Preparation and use of nettle at home

How is nettle used in traditional medicine? What medicines can be prepared from it at home? What drugs are available at the pharmacy?



Pharmacy preparations

  • Oil . It is most often used externally in dermatology and cosmetology for skin and hair care. You can make an oil extract from nettle at home.
  • Nettle dry extract. You can buy dietary supplements in the form of tablets and capsules, which are made from dry nettle root. Powdered dry extract of leaves and roots is also sold. It is used to prepare infusions at home.
  • liquid extract. Sold in bottles of 100 ml. The indications for use indicated in the instructions are diseases of the urinary system and joints, iron deficiency anemia, inflammation of the prostate gland, uterine bleeding, menstrual irregularities. The herbal preparation is prescribed in complex therapy with synthetic drugs. Take in a strict dosage - no more than 30 drops 4 times a day.
  • Dry vegetable raw materials. The instructions for the use of nettle leaves indicate age restrictions - the herb is allowed for children from 12 years old. An overdose can cause an allergic reaction and increased blood clotting. Therefore, it is so important to observe the doses during the preparation of the infusion: for 200 ml of water, take no more than 2 tbsp. spoons of dry raw materials.

Decoction

Nettle decoction can be prepared from leaves, roots and seeds.

Making a decoction of the leaves

  1. Pour in a glass of boiling water.
  2. Boil 1 minute.
  3. Insist half an hour.

They drink with all the above diagnoses. Outwardly, decoctions and infusions are used in the form of baths, lotions, warm poultices, compresses.

Making a decoction of the roots

  1. Take 1 tsp. ground roots.
  2. Pour in a glass of boiling water.
  3. Boil 1 minute.
  4. Insist half an hour.

This decoction is useful for cleansing the blood of toxins, it is drunk with furunculosis, swelling, hemorrhoids, heart disease. Outwardly, it is used for skin lesions - eczema, lichen, urticaria, burns. There is also a recipe for making roots in syrup. This is an effective cough remedy.

Making a decoction of seeds

  1. Take 1 tsp. seeds (preferably crushed).
  2. Pour in a glass of boiling water.
  3. Boil 1 minute.
  4. Leave for 1 hour.

This decoction is useful for men - it increases potency, enhances sexual activity. You can also insist the seeds on red wine, add honey to the infusions.

How to drink a decoction of nettle?

  • Be sure to filter before use.
  • Accepted in the following dosage: 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day before meals.
  • A decoction of the roots can be taken in a larger dosage - ¼ cup 3 times a day.
  • The course of treatment depends on the diagnosis and age of the patient, and is prescribed by the doctor.
  • Long-term use should be limited in the elderly to prevent thrombophlebitis.
  • The prepared broth can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.

Infusion

What is the use of nettle infusion? This tool is effective for all of the above indications. Especially useful infusion to stop bleeding. It's also a great multivitamin drink. To prepare the infusion, you can use chopped leaves or nettles in sachets from a pharmacy.

Cooking

  1. Take 1 tbsp. l. dry raw materials.
  2. Pour in a glass of boiling water.
  3. Insist 1-2 hours.
  4. Strain.

It is also a good tonic, tonic, lactagon agent. It is often drunk for rheumatism. The infusion is used externally in the same way as the decoction. For external use and skin cleansing, an infusion of celandine and nettle is recommended.

Preparation of fortified infusion

  1. Take equal parts of nettles, rose hips, currants, carrot roots.
  2. For 2 st. l. mixture, take 2 cups of boiling water.
  3. Leave for 1 hour.
  4. Strain.

Tincture

This is a good sedative for nervous disorders, apathy, drowsiness, lethargy. It acts as a tonic, so it is not recommended to take it in the afternoon. Also, tincture is used for rubbing with joint and muscle pain. It is taken orally for whooping cough, diseases of the bronchi and lungs. Red wine tincture with honey also helps with cough.

Preparation of vodka tincture

  1. Take 1 part dry leaves.
  2. Pour in 5 parts of vodka.
  3. Soak 2 weeks in the sun.
  4. Strain.

You can also make a tincture from the roots.

Syrup

Syrup with extract of nettle and boron uterus is sold in pharmacies. It is used for hormonal disorders, a number of gynecological diseases, infertility, mastopathy, to strengthen the immune system. But you can also make syrup yourself.

syrup recipe

  1. Pass through a meat grinder 1 kg of fresh leaves.
  2. Add 3 cups of water.
  3. Boil 2 minutes and strain.
  4. Add ½ kg of honey and mix thoroughly.

The syrup should be stored in the refrigerator. This is a good multivitamin, tonic. You can take 1 tsp. This syrup also makes delicious fortified drinks.

Juice

Fresh nettle juice can replace decoction and infusion. It is used internally and externally. Drink 20 minutes before meals 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon. Effective for kidney stones and gallbladder, uterine and nasal bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, hypovitaminosis. Juice is drunk to stimulate the nervous system, with toothache. It is used as an antiseptic for diseases of the oral mucosa and inflammation of the skin.

Cosmetology

What are the benefits of nettle for hair and skin? The herb contains minerals, organic acids and vitamins that provide anti-inflammatory, nourishing, rejuvenating, antioxidant effects.

  • For problem skin. Used externally in the form of decoctions and infusions. Alcohol tincture can only be used diluted for oily skin. Well cleanses the skin with acne, purulent wounds. With furunculosis, grass is also taken orally.
  • For hair . With loss, oily hair, dandruff, it is recommended to rinse your head with decoctions. With oily scalp, you can rub the tincture. Often used herbal preparations with the addition of chamomile, burdock root, oak bark. Read more about the application in our other article.
  • Nettle bath. This is not only a cosmetic, but also a medical procedure. It cleanses the skin well, renews cells, relieves puffiness, helps with women's diseases, nervous disorders. Nettle and sage decoctions are used to make baths for hands and feet, which soften the skin well, eliminate sweating of the palms and feet, and strengthen nails.

cooking oil

  1. Take 1 part of the crushed root.
  2. Pour in 2 parts olive oil.
  3. Insist 2 weeks.
  4. Strain.

The oil is widely used in cosmetology: it is rubbed into the scalp, rough, weathered skin, cracks, wounds and scratches are treated with it. Also, the tool is effective in dermatology, in the treatment of burns.

Read more about the benefits of nettle for women

What is useful nettle for women? For what symptoms and diagnoses is it prescribed?

  • menstrual bleeding. How and how many days to drink nettle with incessant menstruation, it is necessary to check with the attending gynecologist. Self-medication with such a serious symptom can lead to even more disastrous consequences.
  • Itching in infectious diseases. This unpleasant symptom can be removed with the homeopathic remedy Urtica urens and nettle decoctions, which are applied externally for douching.
  • Climax. For women in menopause, grass is useful for the nervous system, with hormonal disruptions. Nettle contains substances similar in their effect to female sex hormones.
  • After radio wave therapy. Most often, this method of treatment is prescribed for cervical erosion. After it, light bleeding is possible. Nettles are used to stop them.
  • Nettle during pregnancy. It is strictly prohibited due to the effect on the smooth muscles of the uterus, hormonal properties. Outdoor use is allowed.
  • lactation period. The herb is prescribed to increase milk production. Therefore, if a woman wants to stop breastfeeding, nettle is contraindicated. To enhance lactation, nettle is drunk in combination with other herbs after consulting a doctor.

A lot of positive feedback on the treatment of female diseases with nettles. But once again we emphasize: only a doctor can prescribe treatment. After all, the cause of bleeding can be fibroma, uterine fibroids, and other tumors. These diagnoses are a strict contraindication to nettle.

Economic importance

Young nettle is widely used in cooking. Shchi is boiled from its leaves and shoots in spring, added to salads and stuffing for pies. Old leaves are suitable for fermentation and preparation of dry seasoning. Nettle is often found in Caucasian dishes. Here it is salted, pickled, fermented, consumed fresh. The leaves are also used as feed for livestock and poultry. The plant is used in the cosmetic industry.

The healing properties of nettle and stinging nettle are recognized in folk and traditional medicine. This remedy is used primarily to stop various internal bleeding. Also, the herb helps with diseases of blood vessels, bones, heart, joints, skin, digestive organs. It is an antioxidant that is used to purify the blood. In addition, nettle is a natural multivitamin concentrate.

Probably, there are few people who would not know from childhood not only about the burning properties of nettle, but also about its healing properties. Many heard that this herb is able to heal wounds, improve hair growth, stop the blood, which is why it is useful to add it to salads and soups. In this article we have selected interesting facts about nettle, as well as the widest list of its medicinal properties and contraindications for use.

Did you know? Nettle is and, numbering about 30 species. The most common in our latitudes are stinging nettle and stinging nettle, which are considered. In official medicine, only stinging nettle is used, and in folk medicine, stinging nettle has also found application.

The chemical composition of nettle

To determine why nettle is useful, consider the chemical composition of its organs. The plant is very rich in vitamins. It is especially famous for having vitamin C- it is two to three times more in nettle leaves than in and.
The content of carotene is also high. There is more of this substance in the grass than in, sea buckthorn and. In addition, the leaves contain vitamins K, B, E. It also contains such trace elements useful for the human body as Ca (calcium), Fe (iron), Cu (copper), Mg (magnesium), Si (silicon) .

Grass leaves contain tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phytoncides, organic acids and other micro and macro elements.

Exactly like this a diverse and wide list of useful elements allows nettle to have a restorative and therapeutic and prophylactic effect on the human body.
And man, in turn, invented many methods and means of using nettle for medicinal purposes, which have been used in folk medicine and cosmetology for several centuries.

The healing properties of nettle

Since nettle contains silicon, vitamin C, organic acids and a number of other vitamins, it is generally able to have a strengthening property on human immunity - resist viruses and bacteria, external adverse factors, oxygen deficiency.

Vitamin K gives the herb the ability to stop bleeding, improve blood clotting, heal wounds more intensively, and relieve inflammation.
The chlorophyll contained in the leaves allows the plant to be a tonic, improve metabolic processes in the body, and improve intestinal motility.

The herb also has diuretic and choleretic properties. Accordingly, nettle is advised to fight diseases of the kidneys, liver and biliary tract.

It is believed that the use of products based on this herb can lower blood sugar levels, which is due to the presence of a substance such as secretin in its composition.

Did you know? There is a type of nettle that, when touched, causes severe inflammation that heals on the human body for several years.

Collection and preparation of medicinal raw materials

In folk medicine for preparations from nettle, leaves, seeds, roots and stems of the plant are used. It is necessary to collect raw materials (except seeds and roots) during the flowering period, that is, in the summer months. It is better to collect it in dry sunny weather so that the leaves are dry.

If you mow the grass in early summer, then it may re-bloom, which will occur in August or early autumn.
The collection of roots should be carried out in spring or autumn. Seeds are harvested two weeks after flowering, when they are well tied at the tops.

If nettle leaves are planned to be used in cooking or cosmetology, then you can pick them from early spring.

When collecting grass, you must protect your hands with gloves. When harvesting large volumes of grass, you can use a scythe, scissors, sickle. After mowing, nettles are not immediately removed, but left on the ground. So she will wilt a little, and her burning sensation will go away. Then you can already start cutting off the leaves. To prepare the roots, the grass is pulled out, shaken off from lumps, washed with water and cut off the stems.

To prepare the nettle seed with all its medicinal properties, the upper part of the grass is cut off, and a little later it is threshed.

Important! It is forbidden to collect grass that grows along highways, railway tracks, near industrial areas and garbage dumps.

For drying leaves and roots it is necessary to choose a room that is well ventilated and where the sun's rays do not penetrate, because when exposed to the sun, the grass will lose some of the vitamins.

It can be an attic, a shed, a terrace. Raw materials should be laid out on plywood, paper or fabric, 3-4 cm layer. Dried to the desired consistency, the grass is considered only when it breaks with a crunch.
dried leaves should be stored in paper bags or boxes. Nettles can be ground into powder, which is then perfectly stored in wooden or paper containers. Dry raw materials retain their properties for two years.

Nettles can also be preserved by freezing and canning.

The use of nettle in folk medicine

Infusions and decoctions are used in folk medicine, both internally and externally, to treat a wide variety of diseases.

SARS, influenza, disorders in the functioning of the kidneys and liver, disorders of the genitourinary, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems - this is an incomplete list of what nettle treats.

With a cold

For respiratory diseases, a tincture is prepared based on nettle roots and. A mixture of 2 tbsp. spoons of fresh roots and 2 tbsp. spoons of chopped garlic pour five parts of vodka. The tincture is stored indoors without light for 14 days, after which they drink 1 teaspoon three times a day.
For the purpose of prevention acute viral diseases and strengthening the immune system, in general, three to five times a day, drink one third of a glass of infusion prepared from 2 tbsp. spoons of nettle leaves (dry) and half a liter of hot boiled water, infused for two hours. The remedy is recommended to drink 30 minutes before you are going to eat.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

With cramps, pain in the stomach, nausea, a decoction of the rhizomes of stinging nettles can help. It is necessary to pour hot milk (200 ml) to 1 teaspoon of dry grass roots, put on low heat for five minutes. Decoction drink hot in the amount of ¼ cup.

The remaining medicinal drink to drink 2 tbsp. spoons throughout the day every two hours.

Solve the problem of with the gastrointestinal tract can also infusion of leaves. They are taken in the amount of 1 tbsp. spoon, add 200 ml of boiling water and insist in a thermos for a couple of hours. One hour before meals, drink 1 tbsp. spoon.
With seizures gastritis helps a mixture of medicinal herbs: nettle, plantain, St. John's wort,. They must be mixed in equal proportions. Then in verse 4 spoons add a liter of boiling water and let stand for two hours. Take inside a glass. Drink up to 1.5 liters per day. The course of treatment is 1 week.

For heart disease

Nettle treatment also used in various cardiovascular diseases. To improve the functioning of the heart muscle, it is recommended to use such a remedy: in 5 tbsp. spoons of dry chopped leaves add 400 ml of boiling water, place on low heat for five minutes.

Then cool to room temperature and strain. Add honey before drinking. Recommended oral doses: half a cup four times a day, in courses of 1-2 months.

Important! Before using any drug based on nettle for medicinal purposes, you need to consult your doctor.

To recover from a stroke, take 2 tbsp one hour before meals. spoons of infusion prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. Mix spoons of leaves (dry) with boiling water, leave to infuse for one hour.

For kidney and bladder stones

Stone disease is treated with fresh juice, seeds and nettle roots. Juice drink 1-2 tbsp. spoons at intervals of two hours throughout the day.

Means based on dry nettle roots have such beneficial properties as dissolving kidney and bladder stones. To do this, the raw materials are ground into powder and eaten 1 teaspoon three times a day. Wash down the powder with a rosehip decoction.


Also, with stone disease, three times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon, it is advised to take crushed seeds dissolved in warm boiled water.

To improve the functioning of the kidneys, an infusion of the leaves is used. It is prepared by mixing 1 teaspoon of chopped nettle leaves with 200 ml of boiling water, and heating in a water bath for 15 minutes. Drink one third of a regular glass 30 minutes before you plan to eat.

To normalize sexual function

Normalize sexual function capable of nettle seeds. They are mixed with ground black pepper. It is taken as follows: a raw chicken egg is broken into a glass or a glass, a mixture of nettle and pepper is added to it at the tip of a knife. All ingredients are mixed. This remedy must be taken for three to five days in the morning half an hour before meals.
To stimulate sexual desire, the seeds can be added to red wine or port. Use the following proportions: 5 tbsp. tablespoons of seeds per half liter of wine (port). Boil the mixture for five minutes. Take 50 ml before bed.

There is also a remedy based on leaves. They prepare a salad with the addition of boiled eggs and.

To normalize menstruation

Nettle is widely used in gynecology, in particular for strong discharge during menstruation, as well as for cervical erosion.

To normalize menstruation, drink one-fourth glass of freshly squeezed juice from grass leaves three times a day. It is recommended to use it 20-30 minutes before the planned meal.

The recipe is quite simple: 3-6 tbsp. spoons of leaves mixed with a liter of boiling water and let stand for 20 minutes. Strain before ingestion.
The recommended dose for women with heavy and irregular periods is 1 cup three times a day. After consumption, you can start eating no earlier than 40 minutes later. You can also use pharmacy liquid extract of nettle. It is taken orally 30-40 drops half an hour before meals. Drops are diluted in a quarter cup of water.

Nettle leaf juice with medicinal properties is also used in gynecology for cervical erosion. Tampons are dipped into it, which are inserted into the vagina.

The use of nettle in cosmetology

In cosmetology, nettles have been adopted in order to make beautiful and healthy hair and facial skin.

From dandruff and to strengthen hair

Nettle remedies are effective in the fight against dandruff, baldness, increased fat content and strengthening hair growth.

In the presence of dandruff, the following recipes are used:

  • In 500 g of chopped fresh leaves, add half a liter of boiling water. Steam the mixture in a water bath for 20 minutes. Then cool to room temperature, pass through gauze. Warm up slightly before use. Apply while washing your hair, rubbing into the scalp and using as a rinse.
  • You can also massage freshly squeezed nettle juice diluted with water into the scalp with massage movements.
  • 1 st. brew a spoonful of leaves (dry) in a thermos, adding 200 ml of boiling water. Leave to infuse for one hour, then pass through a layer of gauze. Rub the infusion into the head once every seven days. The course of procedures: two to three months.
The latter remedy is used both for rinsing and rubbing into the scalp in order to achieve strong and healthy hair.
Also, to strengthen the hair, they are rinsed with a decoction of 100 g of crushed leaves mixed with half a liter of vinegar and half a liter of water, boiled for 30 minutes.

To cope with baldness, use a tincture based on vodka. Fresh leaves are placed in a half-liter jar and vodka is added. Stored indoors without access to light for 21 days. After this time, they begin to rub into areas of the head where active hair loss is observed.

Nettle face mask

Nettle is often added to creams, lotions, masks. For dry and aging skin, it is recommended to chop fresh leaves (1 tablespoon) to the state of gruel and mix them with (1 teaspoon). You can add warm milk (3 tablespoons). Apply the mixture on the face.

Contraindications and possible harm

Nettle treatment has a number of contraindications. So, grass for medicinal purposes should not be taken by pregnant women, as well as people who:

  • suffer from thrombophlebitis;
  • have a risk of heart attack;
  • prone to increased blood clotting;
  • observe high blood pressure.
Nettle should not be used to stop bleeding caused by polyps and various tumors of the uterus. With caution, you need to use nettle preparations for the elderly and those who have a history of kidney disease.

A herb whose medicinal properties have been proven a long time ago. However, if you are going to use funds based on it, do not forget to inform your doctor about this in order to avoid undesirable consequences.

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Nettle is famous for its beneficial properties and an impressive list of vitamins that make up the composition. The burning plant is added to medicinal tinctures, decoctions and preparations. Nettle helps to cope with sciatica, low immunity, rheumatism, kidney and bladder problems. But with inept use, you are likely to harm the body. To avoid this, consider the main aspects.

Nettle composition

A kind of "weed" fell in love with many for the presence of vitamins. For example, nettles have more vitamin C than apples, red currants, and carrots combined. Thanks to this, you can increase immunity by drinking a little tea with a plant.

The plant is not deprived of retinol, or vitamin A. The natural antioxidant has a positive effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys.

Tocopherol (vitamin E) is responsible for the health of the skin and hairline, as well as the female reproductive system.

A special place is given to vitamin K, which is otherwise called vikasol. This substance is responsible for blood viscosity, nettle juice has regenerating and hemostatic properties.

Nettle contains B vitamins, they normalize the psycho-emotional environment of a person. Decoctions and teas with nettles fight poor sleep and depressive disorders.

Carotenoids have the ability to improve vision. These compounds prevent the occurrence of cataracts, they are prescribed for patients with eye diseases.

In addition to beneficial vitamins, nettles accumulate many mineral compounds. Of particular value is manganese, sulfur, aluminum, barium, chromium, copper, iron, molybdenum, potassium, calcium and others.

Nettle contains tannins, organic acids, glycosides, chlorophyll, flavonoids, phytoncides, histamine.

By the amount of vitamin K contained, nettle exceeds spinach by 3 times. Organic iron and copper are present in a volume that is 2 times higher than the indicators of these elements in cabbage.

Calorie 100 gr. plants is small - 43 kcal. Most often, nettles are supplied with sauces for second courses and appetizers, salads, first courses and side dishes. From 100 gr. 85% is allocated to water, the rest is occupied by carbohydrates, proteins and dietary fiber. There are practically no fats in the plant (less than 0.5 gr.).

The effect of nettle on the body

  • enhances metabolism;
  • increases the protective functions of the body;
  • blocks the flow of blood to cancer cells (fighting cancer);
  • treats hemorrhoids;
  • has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties;
  • reduces glucose levels in diabetes;
  • fights hypertension;
  • improves the activity of the pancreas;
  • cleans the blood channels and seals their walls;
  • favorably affects the heart muscle;
  • treats mental disorders, neuroses, insomnia;
  • increases appetite and salivation;
  • relieves painful cramps in the stomach;
  • controls the activity of the reproductive and urinary systems;
  • widely used for dermatological problems.

The benefits of nettle do not end there. This is only a small part of how the plant affects the work of vital organs and systems.

The benefits of nettle

  1. The plant is used for pancreatitis and other diseases of this nature. This is made possible by the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of the herb.
  2. Nettle has the ability to block blood circulation and prevent the appearance of new capillaries in oncological formations. Some substances from the composition of the plant have been successfully added to cancer drugs.
  3. With diabetes, nettle tincture is indispensable. It gently lowers sugar levels and removes bad cholesterol. To prepare the remedy, grind 40 gr. greens and brew in 0.5 l. boiling water. Infuse for several hours, take a teaspoon before meals.
  4. "Weed" facilitates the work of the kidneys and improves the activity of the entire urinary system. To normalize the processes of urination, remove sand and small neoplasms (up to 0.5 cm), it is necessary to take an infusion. It is prepared from dry nettle and bird mountaineer.
  5. For the male half of mankind, nettle will help to cope with prostatitis. The plant improves urine output, relieves pain, kills harmful microorganisms and alleviates the general course of the disease.
  6. Traditional healers successfully use nettle in the fight against bleeding of various nature (gastric, pulmonary, intestinal, renal, etc.). The accumulation of chlorophyll tones the internal organs and stops harmful processes.
  7. Due to its high iron content, nettles are used to treat anemia (anemia). Nettle is used in an allergic reaction, it accelerates the release of histamine, which stops the reaction to food or medicine.
  8. Decoctions based on "weed" are widely used for the treatment and prevention of thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, peptic ulcer. For girls during menstruation, such infusions will help get rid of abdominal pain and heavy discharge.
  9. Nettle strengthens the immune system and is used to treat helminths in adults and children. Also, the grass accelerates the production of red blood cells, enriches the blood with oxygen and nutrients, improves its composition. Weed is used for various problems of dermatologists (psoriasis, eczema, etc.).
  10. Fans of taking a steam bath in the bath will find useful information that the nettle broom eliminates pain in the lower back, cervical region and back. Patting on a hot body eliminates sciatica, heart pain, swelling of the extremities. All this is made possible by increased blood circulation.
  11. Nettle is the best wound healing and disinfecting agent. The plant is used to eliminate suppuration, drying acne and other similar problems. Nettle decoction is effective for acne, oily skin, cellulite.

  1. Useful qualities are seen with heavy menstruation. Since nettle has hemostatic properties, it can be used to control the intensity of secretions and the general condition of a woman. During menstruation, the body experiences a decrease in hemoglobin. Weed fills this gap.
  2. Women's doctors unanimously say that nettle will be useful for newly-made mothers who are breastfed. The abundance of minerals and vitamins supports the health of the child and woman.
  3. Not without the valuable qualities of the plant on the female body during menopause. Burning grass reduces the number of hot flashes, removes increased sweating and normalizes the general condition of a woman.
  4. Nettle tinctures and freshly squeezed juice are used in cosmetology to treat hair and stimulate their growth. The composition enhances blood circulation in the scalp and fights alopecia (fallout).
  5. The plant is used to combat acne, severe pigmentation, swelling, grooves and wrinkles on the face. Nettle rejuvenates, removes the vascular network and comedones.

The benefits of nettle for men

  1. The composition of the plant contains mineral compounds that are necessary for the male body. These elements include zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Substances increase blood circulation in the groin area and regulate potency.
  2. Nettle improves sexual activity and increases libido, increases sperm count and reproductive activity. The herb is used to treat and prevent impotence.
  3. Men who experience difficulties with premature ejaculation should take decoctions and tinctures of nettle. Such funds will increase the duration of sexual intercourse.
  4. It is useful to use the plant for those who play sports and lead an active lifestyle. It's all about the ability of nettle to give the body strength and energy.
  5. Men are more likely than women to suffer from alopecia - severe hair loss. To remove bald spots, you need to rub freshly squeezed nettle juice into the scalp.
  6. Due to the accumulation of B vitamins, the plant controls the psycho-emotional environment, relieves chronic fatigue and normalizes sleep.
  7. Various plant-based folk remedies cleanse the liver of toxins, remove ethyl alcohol from the body, eliminate hangovers and reduce cravings for nicotine.

The benefits of nettle for children

  1. In most cases, nettle for children is used as infusions and all kinds of decoctions to strengthen the protective functions of the body. Medicinal formulations can be given to a child only after prior consultation with a specialist. Otherwise, the child's body may reveal an allergy.
  2. The benefits of a unique plant for a child's body are manifested in the fact that the raw material effectively eliminates stomach pains. Infusions relieve a strong cough, strengthen the immune system and relieve inflammation in the mouth with herpes. Decoctions cope with constipation.
  3. Numerous observations have shown that nettle-based infusion is a good remedy for anemia. Weed completely compensates for iron deficiency in the body. A simple infusion allows you to avoid taking heavy drugs that do not have the best effect on the liver and kidneys.
  4. Since ancient times, nettle has established itself as an effective drug for various dermatological diseases. To cope with an allergic reaction, it is recommended to use the stems, flowers and leaves of the weed. Means wipe the skin, drink infusions and teas.

The benefits of nettle during pregnancy

  1. During the period of gestation, the fair sex should be especially careful with any medicines and herbs. Nettle will help improve overall health, and side effects are also possible.
  2. A reasonable intake of weed will help the expectant mother to strengthen the cardiovascular system. Nettle has a positive effect on the kidneys. As a result, swelling disappears. Raw materials fight bad mood, giving strength and suppressing depression.
  3. Nettle infusion is allowed to be taken only after agreement with the doctor. Large doses can cause severe migraines, poor appetite, miscarriage, insomnia, and dizziness.

  1. To exclude the manifestation of beriberi, it is recommended to regularly drink a decoction or tea based on nettle. The weed has immunostimulating and tonic properties. The herb will help the body resist seasonal viruses and colds.
  2. During the disease, the plant will ease the inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract. The weed is famous for its expectorant effect. Nettle qualitatively cleanses the lungs and bronchi from mucus and sputum. Medicinal infusions are often prescribed for asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia and bronchitis.
  3. The medicinal properties of nettle allow the composition to be used for internal bleeding. Raw materials promote rapid blood clotting and allow wounds to heal in a short time. Freshly prepared gruel from the plant is used to eliminate corns and corns.
  4. The healing properties of the weed allow you to effectively deal with skin diseases of various types. It has been proven that nettle perfectly eliminates warts, boils, acne, lichen and eczema. To achieve maximum effect, the plant is recommended to be used in the form of compresses and lotions. Along with this, it is necessary to drink tea with nettle.
  5. If you systematically apply nettle decoction, you can soon get rid of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Also, the composition eliminates the pathology of the genitourinary system. The decoction allows you to completely remove sand and salt from the bladder and kidneys. The composition eliminates inflammation in the urinary tract. The swelling of the extremities disappears.
  6. Systematic consumption of infusion will improve metabolic processes and improve bowel function. The composition relieves nausea, heartburn and flatulence. Medicinal tea allows you to eliminate problems with loose stools, enteritis, spasms and colitis. The drink prevents the development of the acute stage of gastritis.
  7. In addition to the general strengthening properties of the plant, infusions can be used to treat hair and scalp. The composition allows you to stop the loss and development of dandruff. To achieve the desired result, it is necessary to systematically apply the decoction. For the best effect, use burdock oil in parallel.

Nettle harm

  1. In most cases, people believe that nettles can be harmful due to their burning properties. A similar effect is achieved due to the special pile of light color, which is located on the surface of the plant.
  2. A solution of apple cider vinegar and plain water will help get rid of unpleasant itching on the skin after contact with nettles. The ratio of components should be 1:1. Wipe the affected area of ​​skin with a cotton swab.
  3. Also, mucosal burns can be earned if raw materials are consumed without pre-treatment. If you are preparing salads, nettles should be doused with boiling water. Otherwise, you can cause significant harm to the body.
  4. Nettle collected in an ecologically polluted place is contraindicated for consumption. Such a product can cause serious poisoning. Also, in the weed, all useful properties will be completely absent.
  5. If the nettle grows near roads and industrial plants, the raw material absorbs all the dirt and heavy metals. Such a plant is dangerous to health and is strictly prohibited for consumption. The harm of raw materials to the body is irreparable.
  6. Nettle in rare cases provokes an allergic reaction. It is forbidden to take the plant in any form during lactation. During pregnancy, it is also worth taking weed-based infusions with extreme caution.

Nettle is rightfully considered a unique plant. Its healing properties have long been known to mankind. With the help of the described weed, you can cope with most ailments and skin lesions. Before eating a plant, consult a specialist.

Video: nettle healing powder

Translated from Latin, the word nettle means "burning". The plant is unpretentious, perennial and popularly known as a weed. However, despite this, it has a huge healing potential, thanks to which it has been successfully used for centuries, both in professional medicine and at home for the treatment of an extensive list of diseases. Even Avicenna described the medicinal properties of this plant. Currently, in some European countries, the plant is grown specifically to be further used for medical, cosmetic and culinary purposes.

The leaves of a fresh and dry plant, suspended in the house, rid the house of annoying insects and eliminate unpleasant odors.

Nettle composition

One hundred grams of blanched nettle contains:

Nettle - 22 useful properties

  1. arthritis cure

    Nettle leaves can help patients with fibromyalgia, a disease that provokes diffusely symmetrical - musculoskeletal pain. Commonly called gout. Drinking a cup of brewed nettle infusion will have a positive effect on the symptoms of tendinitis, joint stiffness, and relieve swelling in the area of ​​burned out tendons and joints. Daily use of the brewed leaves of the plant, in the form of a decoction, will have a mild diuretic effect, releasing the bladder and alkalizing muscle tissue.

  2. Benefits for women

    The presence of a huge amount of iron elements in the chemical composition of nettle secured the plant the first right to resist such a disease as anemia, characterized by a decrease in the presence of red blood cells in the blood. The unique properties of the plant replenish lost strength in the body and relieve chronic fatigue syndrome. Women have long known the properties of this plant and they successfully use them. The substance lactogen galactagogue, present in nettle, allows you to increase the secretion of milk. Nettle also has a positive effect on the hormonal background of a woman during menopause. Many women use an infusion of the plant to reduce heavy bleeding during the monthly cycle. In the form of tonics, it is used to treat uterine fibroids.

  3. Benefits for hair loss and skin conditions

    Tea made from nettle reduces the presence of acne on the face, providing a rejuvenating effect on the condition of the skin of the body. Frozen infusion cubes are recommended for use in the form of morning hygiene procedures, washing your face with them. Rinsing hair after washing with nettle infusion improves hair growth, restoring the structure of the hairline and having a preventive effect on the manifestations of seborrhea.

  4. Benefits for the digestive tract

    The leaves of the plant are used as an additional remedy for the symptoms of indigestion of celiac disease associated with damage to the intestinal villi, helping to get rid of such adverse symptoms as nausea, bloating. Nettle is isolated as a highly effective remedy in the treatment of tonsillitis, inflammation of the oral cavity, nosebleeds. Napkins soaked in nettle infusion can relieve external hemorrhoids.

  5. Use in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

    In European countries, stinging nettle is successfully used to solve the problems of prostate adenoma. Studies have shown that stinging nettle in combination with saw palmetto is especially effective in eliminating symptoms of BPH such as incomplete bladder emptying and drip urination. These negative symptoms occur against the background of an increase in the size of the prostate gland, which in turn presses on the urea. Studies conducted in this area note that stinging nettle is chemically similar to the composition of the drug finasteride used in the treatment of BPH. The properties of the plant do not reduce the size of the gland itself, but have a beneficial effect on relieving the symptoms of the disease itself. This is possible due to the ability of nettle to influence the hormones testosterone and estrogen, which are responsible for the functioning of the gland.

  6. Prevention of arthrosis

    Applications of fresh nettle leaves relieve the symptoms of arthritic joint pain. Nettle extract in combination with the intake of non-steroidal drugs enhances their effect, and tea brewed in the proportion of 1 spoon of plant leaves per cup of boiling water will reduce the dosage against arthritis drugs.

  7. Prevention of hay fever

    The ability of nettle to reduce the amount of histamine in the body is used to relieve the manifestations of allergic rhinitis. Dried, lyophilized, and freeze-dried preparation based on nettle is taken as a prophylactic during the flowering season of plants and helps to relieve swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal sinuses.

  8. Nettle as an anti-inflammatory agent

    Scientific studies aimed at studying the properties of stinging nettle noted the inclusion in its composition of substances that prevent the development of inflammatory processes and the formation of cytokines. The plant is successfully used to solve problems that cause puffiness.

  9. Prevention of bowel diseases

    Drinking tea with the addition of nettle infusion will help activate intestinal motility, providing a laxative effect. However, this procedure should not be abused, since excessive consumption of the drink can cause discomfort in the stomach.

  10. A treasure trove of nutrients

    Stinging nettle is rightfully considered a multivitamin gift of nature. It perfectly combines both organic acids and biologically active substances. The presence of vitamins and minerals in the plant makes it possible to use its leaves for culinary purposes. Young leaves, and they are the most tender, nettles are added to salads and hot dishes in early spring. During this period, the body, especially in need of replenishment with minerals and vitamins, can get them in full from nettle. Housewives have long used the leaves of the plant in cooking, adding it to first courses and salads. Vitamin C, E, iron, zinc, potassium is far from a dusty list of useful plant components that have a beneficial effect on human performance and rapid recovery after illness.

  11. The use of a spa to stop bleeding

    Combinations of herbs Knotweed, common thyme, licorice and stinging nettle have effective hemostatic properties. These combinations are reflected in the creation of a hemostatic agent used in dentistry, as well as in the healing of deep superficial wounds and abrasions. Hemostatic wipes Ankaferd Blood Stopper, when in contact with a bleeding wound, stop heavy external bleeding.

  12. The use of nettle for inflammation of the joints

    Nettle can bring relief to people suffering from high levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid, accumulating, forms crystalline formations in the field of compounds, which causes their inflammation, swelling, and pain. Nettle infusion is able to remove an excess of uric acid from the body, reducing the signs of the disease.

  13. Nettle as a remedy for infectious diseases

    A tea made from stinging nettle and lingonberry helps to fight bladder infections. Both plants contain not only a lot of useful substances, but also a huge content of vitamin C, which reduces the presence of bactericidal infections leading to inflammation of the urethra.

  14. Nettle for nail care

    To strengthen the nail platinum and give it a healthy color, it is enough to use nettle and vegetable oil applications. After steaming the nails in warm water and applying a pre-prepared mixture on them, you can strengthen the nail plate and protect them from burrs.

  15. Nettle for healthy hair and scalp

    Prepared decoction of fresh or dried nettle is a natural, cheap and affordable remedy for hair loss. It will perfectly get rid of the problem of oily scalp, prevent cross-section and give a silky, healthy shine to the hair. The brewed leaves of the plant in the form of an infusion are used in cosmetology in the treatment of seborrhea. Rinsing with this infusion strengthens the hair follicles, has a positive effect on the production of subcutaneous fat and prevents the appearance of dandruff.

    Prevention of respiratory diseases

    Chlorophyll, contained in the leaves of the plant, endows the brewed nettle infusion with a stimulating effect on the respiratory tract, which allows it to be used in the treatment of bronchitis and tuberculosis.

  16. The ability of nettle to increase testosterone levels

    Nettle contains a substance known as 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran. The substance is able to raise the level of testosterone - the main male hormone and is widely used by bodybuilders.

  17. Health of teeth and gums

    The decoction used in the form of rinses is able to relieve inflammation of the gums and prevent the formation of plaque and tartar.

Nettle also helps with:

  • prevention of Alzheimer's disease, stopping the formation of senile plaques in the cerebral cortex;
  • correction of neurological conditions MS, als;
  • children's enuresis;
  • preventive actions aimed at the treatment of helminths;
  • disorders of the endocrine system, improving the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Contraindications to the use of nettle

Properly formulated therapeutic dosages of nettle do not cause side effects and complications. However, there are also contraindications for its use.

  • uterine bleeding;
  • elevated blood pressure (hypertension);
  • atherosclerosis;
  • neoplasms in the form of cysts and tumors;
  • pronounced indicators of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, since it greatly thickens the blood and increases its coagulability;
  • it is not recommended to use nettle infusions in the afternoon;
  • nettle is categorically contraindicated for pregnant women, its use can provoke premature birth.

Since ancient times, nettle has been valued as a tool that can extend the shelf life of products. Rich in phytoncides, the plant is able to prevent the process of meat decomposition, preserving its properties for a long time. The carcasses of butchered animals were covered with leaves, this made it possible to stop the development of bacteria in the meat and extended its shelf life.

Fishing tackle was woven from nettles and coarse ropes were made.

In England, nettles are used to make wine; only 40 kilograms of raw materials are used to prepare 3,000 liters of the drink. And they hold an annual competition "Who will eat burning leaves more" This competition has been over 20 years old.

Nettles are also used for mystical purposes, making all kinds of slander on it. Remember the fairy tale about how Elsa wove shirts for her brothers from nettles? Superstitious people are wary of plant thickets on their site, trying to get rid of them as soon as possible.

But in the Tula region, on the coat of arms of which a plant is depicted, annual festivals are held. There it is valued for its qualities used in industrial production, where an environmentally friendly green dye is made from nettles.

If the nettle of our regions only burns painfully, then the plants of tropical latitudes can cause significant burns and even lead to death.

In folk medicine, there is a saying that one nettle "seven doctors" replaces, and this is really a true statement, given all the beneficial properties that this plant gives us.

What else is useful?

Each of us is familiar with such a plant as nettle. However, not everyone knows that in nature there are a large number of types of culture. Since ancient times, people have known about the beneficial properties of nettles and actively used them in their needs. It is worth noting that the plant is very dangerous, and therefore you need to be careful when handling it.

nettle plant

Nettle is a perennial herbaceous crop of the Nettle family. It is distributed in Asia and Europe, Australia and Africa, as well as in North America. It can be found in China, India, Japan, UK and USA.

The people call the plant "zhigalka", "zhiguchka". Regarding the origin of the name of the culture, the opinions of linguists differ. It is believed that the word "nettle" comes from the Old Slavonic kropiva.

The plant has been used by people since ancient times, because it contains useful substances and vitamins. Currently, the properties of nettle are used not only in traditional medicine, but also in cosmetology and dietology. According to experts, there are more than 50 types of nettle in the world. Only a few of them are found on the territory of Russia.

plant description

There are different types of nettles, among them there are dioecious and monoecious representatives. Plant height ranges from 0.5 meters to 2 meters. The edges of the foliage may be jagged or solid. The leaves are opposite each other.

The stems of the plant can be painted in any shade of green. On their surface there is a large number of burning hairs. Each of them, in fact, is a kind of ampoule with acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, tartaric, oxalic and formic acids.

During the contact of the hairs with the surface of the human body, the edge of the hair breaks off and enters the subcutaneous integument. So the contents of the "ampoule" burns our skin, causing a chemical burn. Substances such as acetylcholine, serotonin, and histamine cause intense redness, while oxalic acid causes pain. Different types of nettle contain different amounts of these acids. Therefore, the intensity of their impact on the skin is completely different.

nettle species

As we have already mentioned, there are a large number in the world. In our article, we want to focus only on those species that are characteristic of our country. The most common types of nettle in Russia:

  1. Stinging nettle (Urtica angustifolia).
  2. Stinging nettle (Urtica angustifolia).
  3. Hemp nettle (Urtica cannabina).
  4. Nettle Kyiv (Urtica kioviensis).
  5. Stinging nettle (Urtica galeopsifolia).
  6. Light green nettle (Urtica laetevirens).
  7. Stinging nettle (Urtica pilulifera).
  8. Sonden's nettle (Urtica sondenii).
  9. Flat-leaved nettle (Urtica platyphylla).
  10. Stinging nettle (Urtica urens).

Stinging nettle

All types of nettles (photos and descriptions are given in the article) are somewhat similar, but at the same time they have their own differences. Dioecious nettle is a perennial plant with very developed creeping roots. In height, the culture can reach two meters. In spring, the stems of the plant have a simple structure, but by mid-summer numerous shoots appear in the axils. The plant has a dark green color. Nettle stalks are densely covered with stinging villi. The culture has small inflorescences of pale green color. After flowering, oblong fruits are formed.

Dioecious nettle is very common in Eurasia and in most of the countries of North Africa, Central Asia and China. In addition, the culture was brought to Australia and North America. In our country, nettle (the species and photos are given by us in the article) grows in forest and forest-steppe regions, as well as in the Far East and Siberia. The plant is able to form huge thickets in the area of ​​damp meadows, on river banks, in wastelands, along fences and roads.

stinging nettle

This type of stinging nettle is very common in France, Russia, Poland, Romania and other countries of Europe and North America. The plant is an annual, it has tetrahedral stems growing in height from 15 to 50 centimeters. Nettle leaves are painted dark green, and the trunk is covered with a huge number of burning hairs. The plant blooms with light green flowers, collected in spikelets, from May until late autumn.

Nettle Kyiv

This type of nettle (described below) is found in France, Germany, Poland, Spain and Palestine. In addition, it is extremely common in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus and is even listed in the Red Book in some areas. The perennial plant has herbaceous stems up to 1.2 m high. The leaves are dark green and covered with sparse, but extremely burning villi.

The inflorescences of the plant contain male and female flowers. Kyiv nettle has a long growing season, until the onset of persistent frosts. She prefers wetlands, as well as lowlands along rivers and lakes.

Stinging nettle

The flat-leaved species grows in China, Japan and other East Asian countries, as well as in the Far East, the Kuril and Commander Islands, Kamchatka and Sakhalin. The plant has fairly high shoots, reaching up to 1.5 meters in height. The entire surface of the shoots is covered with stinging villi.

Stinging nettle

The narrow-leaved species can be found in mixed riverine and mountain forests in Korea, China, Mongolia and Japan. And in Russia, nettle is found in the Irkutsk, Chita regions, Altai, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. The plant reaches a height of 1.2 meters. All of it is covered with a dense layer of villi, but only some of them are burning.

Ongaonga

Ongaonga (Latin for "fierce nettle") is also known as the nettle tree. This is the most dangerous type of nettle. It grows exclusively in New Zealand. Only the nettle tree has a woody stem that reaches five meters in height, and its thickness reaches 12 centimeters. The thick stem of the plant is incredibly densely covered with stinging villi. It's hard to believe, but the people of New Zealand are afraid of meeting with such a tree, because they believe it is one of the most dangerous nettle species. The fact is that random encounters with such a plant cause breathing difficulties, weakening of vision and temporary paralysis of the muscular system. There has even been a fatal case.

Imagine that every year about 75 people need serious hospital treatment after encountering such a “monster”. Only one fatal case was officially registered in 1962, when two young people accidentally fell into nettle thickets and received multiple burns on their legs and arms. One of them had leg muscles paralyzed for an hour, breathing became difficult and vision was lost. He was rushed to the hospital, but five hours later he was gone. Doctors managed to save the second patient. Since then, local residents have been trying to get around the tenth road, one of the dangerous and stinging nettle species. But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid unpleasant encounters. People who have received burns feel signs of malaise for two to three days, after which they recover.

The tree-like trunk of such a tree sometimes grows up to five meters. But more often the plant forms two-meter thickets. The leaves and stems of such nettles (types and photos are given in the course of the article) are completely covered with white, very poisonous spines, which reach a length of six millimeters. Each such spike is filled with histamine and formic acid inside. At the slightest contact with something, the thorns break and toxins enter the skin, causing severe burns and sharp throbbing pain.

The nettle tree has caused considerable harm to the inhabitants of New Zealand. Because of him, a considerable number of dogs and horses died. It remains a mystery, why would a plant have such an impressive defense mechanism in the absence of enemies?

However, it turned out that the ongaonga is not such an invulnerable "monster". There is an insect that is not at all afraid of tree burns. Butterfly larvae with the beautiful name Red Admiral are not only not afraid of dangerous toxins, they feed exclusively on the leaves of the nettle tree.

Useful properties of the plant

It is difficult for people who are far from botany to see the differences between nettle species (photos and descriptions of some varieties are given in the article). Whatever variety of this group of plants we are talking about, only the fact that all representatives of the vast family have incredibly useful properties is important. Nettle contains phytoncides, tannins and phenolic acids. In small quantities, it also contains: bata-carotene, folic acid, vitamin H, choline, vitamin E and iodine.

Essential oils, porphrin, sirotitin, phenocarbolic and pantothenic acids, histamine, flavonoids were found in the foliage and stems of the plant. Even the seeds of the plant contain vitamin C and linoleic acid.

The high content of vitamin C in nettle explains its rather strong preventive effect and strengthening properties. Vitamin K reduces inflammation and improves blood clotting. But the high content of B vitamins allows the use of culture in the fight against diseases of the nervous system. Phosphorus and calcium have a beneficial effect on the condition of teeth and nails, and magnesium and potassium contribute to the full functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Due to the high iron content in nettle, the plant is used in the treatment of anemia. In addition, nettle helps in the fight against diabetes, since secretin reduces the level of sugar in the circulatory system, as well as the effect of radioactive radiation.

What is used and how?

Most often, people use nettle leaves for treatment, which must first be prepared from May to June. Nettles are harvested during the waxing moon. It is at this time that the plant has a special power. The branches are first dried for several hours, and then the foliage is cut off from them and laid out in a ventilated room in a thin layer for drying. The prepared material can be stored for two years.

Healing properties

Nettle is considered a real storehouse of healing properties. The main ones are the ability to restore blood, choleretic and diuretic effects, restore the mucous surface of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize the menstrual cycle, etc.

In the West, the plant is even used to treat tumors. It has also been proven that nettle relieves convulsions and has a good expectorant effect. The grass contains a large amount of chlorophyll, which helps to normalize the work of the female organs and the entire intestine. During the experiments, it was proved that nettle normalizes the content of hemoglobin in the blood and has a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism.

It has long been prescribed to those women who could not get pregnant. The plant has even found use as a remedy for impotence. To do this, seeds are recommended to be mixed with banana pulp and used daily until libido is restored.

Freshly squeezed juice from the seeds and leaves of nettle helps in the fight against osteomyelitis, and is also used for high salt levels in the joints. Juice is very effective for treating ulcers with varicose veins, it heals cuts and diaper rash. The diuretic properties of the plant are used for kidney stones and rheumatism. Nettle oil helps well in the treatment of bruises, arthritis, osteochondrosis and sprains. At home, people often add the leaves to their vitamin drinks.

Dangerous properties of the plant

No matter how useful nettle is, it is always worth remembering that it causes burns to the skin, which means that you need to be careful with it. For most people, burns go away quickly, but for some, dangerous allergic reactions can occur.

In addition, not everyone can take advantage of the beneficial properties of the plant. As a remedy, it should not be used:

  1. With high blood clotting (this can lead to the formation of blood clots).
  2. In case of heart or kidney failure.
  3. With skin allergies and individual intolerance.
  4. During pregnancy.
  5. With female bleeding.

Instead of an afterword

The healing properties of the amazing plant are widely used not only in traditional medicine, modern cosmetology and dietology, but also in official medicine. On the basis of nettle, imported drugs "Bazoton" and "Prostaforton" were created. The composition of the choleretic drug "Allohol" includes an extract from the foliage of the plant. In addition, in official medicine, decoctions of grass and stems are used in the fight against many ailments.

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