Spring in an effort to clear their “plantation” of the ubiquitous weeds we ruthlessly throw and useful plants, healers, such as nettle.

There are about 50 species of nettle. In Russia grow three: nettle, nettle stinging, dead-nettle white, nettle deaf. For medicinal purposes is being used nettle. The species epithet – “dioica” – stems from the fact that some plants develop only female flowers, on the other – male. When a light zephyr “cloud” of pollen from male flowers showered on plants with female flowers. Thus, and pollination occurs. Why nettle “bite”? Because it contains hairs covering the stems and leaves, histamine and formic acid, which cause irritation and redness of the skin.
“The medical record” of nettles is from ancient times. Even 2500 years ago Hippocrates ranked her among the plants with a versatile healing properties. In ancient times, early spring young nettle eating in large quantities, as to believe that it is the entire year will protect people from disease. According to legend, Caesar’s legionnaires lashed themselves with nettles to escape the cold. This “procedure” – an ancient people’s way of treating arthritis and rheumatism.
Until now, the nettle is widely used in folk and traditional medicine, used as a cleanser, anti-inflammatory, tonic. Already in April, nettles can be eaten as a valuable multivitamin plants rich in nutrients. Fresh spring shoots of nettle excellent tone and restore power. They can be used for cooking soup, add a green salad.
Modern science has confirmed the rich chemical composition of nettles. Leaves contain a large number of organic acids, vitamins, macro-and micronutrients, tannins, fitotsindov, there is even iodine. Vitamin C, nettles in 2,5 times more than lemons, 7 times more than the cherry, 10 times more than potatoes and apples. Number of provitamin A (carotene) to 50 mg%. In addition, nettles are a large amount of chlorophyll, which increases the immune system, strengthens cell membranes, participates in the formation of connective tissue, accelerates healing of wounds, ulcers, erosions, treats the gums, removes bad breath. Chlorophyll is able to provide a blood effect, similar to the effect of hemoglobin: saturate it with oxygen, accelerate nitrogen metabolism. This explains the fact that the nettle remarkably “clean” our blood.
The infusion of fresh leaves of nettles will be most welcome to any of us. For its preparation 2 tablespoons leaves pour 500 ml boiling water, press 1 hour, filter. Take 1 / 3 cup 3 times a day – to improve circulation and cleanse the body, enhance lactation in nursing women.
The infusion of nettle drink for arthritis, eczema and severe uterine bleeding.
A cloth soaked in tincture, impose painful places in neuralgia, gout, sprains, arthritis.
Juice squeezed from fresh plants, recommended as a restorative remedy for loss of strength and anemia (1 tsp, 3 times a day). He also helps with edema associated with congestive heart failure, with the deposition of salts in the joints.
Outwardly juice, infusions and decoctions treat various diseases of the skin – trophic ulcers, pressure sores, shingles, scrofula, vitiligo.
Nettle juice with honey taken with kidney disease, choleretic and urinary bladder, stomach, jaundice, epilepsy, tuberculosis, and to improve cardiac performance.
According to the latest scientific data, nettles can compensate for the shortcomings of insulin in the blood. At home you can make such simple remedies, such as acting insulin: 2 tablespoons crushed dried nettle pour a glass of yogurt. Drink up to 1 reception for the night. Or prepare a herbal mixture of nettle leaves, dandelion root, plantain leaves, grass Gout (ratio 2:2:1:1). 3 tablespoons of the mixture pour 300 ml of boiling water, to insist 3 hours, drain. Take 0,5 cup 3 times a day. The course of treatment for 3-4 months, every 3 weeks to break a ten.
Seeds are also used for medicinal purposes. Rasterty seeds take 2 g of water with shortness of breath. Decoction of seeds used for nephrolithiasis, dysentery and as Anthelminthics.
Procure better only leaves without the stems and flowers, but with the flowering plants (in June-August). The leaves are dried in the dark, well-ventilated areas: under a roof or the attic. Podvyalennye plants lose their zhguchest. Dry raw materials may be stored in a linen bag or cardboard box. The usual shelf life – 2 years.
Please be aware that the nettle is contraindicated for high blood clotting, bleeding caused by polyps, cyst, tumors of the uterus and appendages. Special caution is necessary in the appointment of nettles for patients with kidney disease.
Nettle – a useful cosmetic plant. Prepared from her home healing potions incredibly effective, and recipes are very simple. Dandruff and improve hair growth is easy to prepare infusion of nettle leaves. 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry leaves pour a glass of boiled water, to insist, to filter. Rub infusion into the scalp.
Great skin tones up the juice from fresh nettle, nettle-mint infusion. After several applications of these tools, you will see the result – skin will become healthy complexion, smooth fine lines.