Nettle and its therapeutic benefits

Urtica dioica… This is a local perennial plant that offers many therapeutic effects. These include relief from hay fever and detoxification of the body.

This is why nettle is widely used in this spring time, where the melting snow gives way to seasonal allergies and the body is conducive to detoxification.

Learn more about nettle, a local medicinal plant, and see how you can integrate it into your natural pharmacopoeia this spring and even at any time!

Nettle: Overview of the plant

Used for millennia wherever it is found, nettle offers therapeutic, utilitarian and nutritional virtues. Sometimes used as a botanical remedy, other times as a weaving material or even to make soups and stews, nettle is a fascinating and versatile plant.

In the West, nettle is probably the best-known and most widespread medicinal plant. With few or no side effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified nettle as a safe herb.^{1, 7} This is why so many people benefit from mastering its use.

Nettle: Therapeutic Uses

Nettle leaves contain numerous phytochemical compounds with therapeutic properties. Among the benefits associated with the leaves of the plant are:

Diuretic : Nettle increases the volume of urinary secretions. This effect relieves the urinary system by irrigating the kidneys, the bladder and the entire urinary tract. This effect is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Given its diuretic effect, nettle relieves water retention associated with premenstrual syndrome and cellulite.^{1, 2}

Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic : Nettle leaves are effective against rheumatic pain. A German study demonstrated that anti-inflammatory components present in nettle fight joint inflammation. This is why nettle is used in treatment protocols for rheumatism and osteoarthritis.³

Nutritional tonic : Nettle is one of the so-called nourishing plants. Nettle is considered to be a hybrid of a botanical medicine and a food. Rich in iron, nettle is also a good source of protein (40% of the weight of dried leaves).^{4, 6}

Remineralizing : Nettle is very rich in minerals and trace elements. Its contribution of magnesium, calcium, iron, boron, chromium, copper, manganese, potassium, and zinc is fortifying for the body. This is why nettle promotes hair growth. The remineralization of the body through nettle infusions is also a good way to counter dehydration. ¹

Treatment for gout : Thanks to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, nettle accelerates the dissolution of uric acid crystals which form in people with gout. According to herbalist and physician Rudolph Fritz Weiss, prolonged use of nettle relieves the pain associated with gout. ^{1, 5}

Hypotensive : In Germany, where herbal healing is common practice, doctors prescribe nettle to treat high blood pressure. Well tolerated by the body, nettle does not cause the side effects associated with pharmaceutical diuretics. ¹

Hay fever relief : A study carried out in National College of Naturopathic Medicine dried nettle leaves have been shown to relieve hay fever symptoms. In addition, many clinicians believe that nettle should take pride of place in recommending hay fever remedies. ^8,9

Detoxification : The purifying action of nettle gives it detoxifying and purifying properties. Thanks to its depurative effect, nettle turns out to be very beneficial for skin conditions, including eczema.  ⁴

Pregnancy and childbirth : Some traditional herbalists recommend nettle infusions to nourish the fetus and facilitate childbirth. Postnatally, nettle is used as an antihemorrhagic and as a galactagogue to increase breast milk production. ¹

Energy stability : Due to its remineralizing and adaptogenic actions, nettle is often used as a tonic in cases of fatigue and exhaustion. The remineralization of the body also helps reduce stress and underlying anxiety.

Nettle: 3 ways to consume it for therapeutic effects

In Quebec, the agricultural producer Key to the Fields grows organic nettle in its vast, remote wild gardens.  After harvest, the plants are dried and/or processed using traditional methods. The Key to the Fields suggests consuming nettle in one of the following therapeutic forms:

Nettle infusion

Infusion is a gentle way to consume nettle leaves internally. It is a method that is suitable for almost everyone: children, the elderly, the seriously ill, convalescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Dried nettle capsules

Once the nettle leaves are dried and dehydrated, they are encapsulated in a vegetable coating which promotes the release of beneficial properties in the body. Each nettle capsule from Clef des Champs has the advantage of containing 290mg ofurtica dioica, which has a single dose, confers therapeutic properties.

Nettle mother tincture

The nettle tincture from Clef des Champs is a highly concentrated organic formula. Maceration of medicinal plants in a solvent potentiates their therapeutic effects. This is why nettle mother tincture is used to obtain rapid and direct therapeutic effects.

This spring, opt for herbalism and choose to include nettle in your natural health care. Plus, learn more about medicinal plants to incorporate this spring by participating in one of our store tours.

Happy spring!

About the author

Naturopaths from La Boite à Grains

Team of qualified and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau in Outaouais.

Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, Naturopath

Video by Lynn Goneau, Naturopath

Sources

1. Michal Castelman. Medical Advisor: Dr. Sheldon S. H, Doctor of Biochemistry. 1991. Plants that heal. Nettle (pages 329-333). Rodale Editions. USA

  2. DUMENAT Phytotherapy teaching team, Paris-XIII medical school, Bobigny (2003). Dioecious nettle. Urtica dioica. Nature's medicines – 200 plants to heal yourself. (Adaptation of Health through plants). (p. 173). Canada, Montreal: Reader’s Digest selection. P.

3. Arthritis Foundation. Stinging Nettle urtica dioica. Accessed March 31, 2019
4. The School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Materia Medica Volume 2. Nettle, urtica dioica
5. Dr. Marisa Marciano, ND. Urtica dioica. The Naturopathic herbalist.
6. François Couplan, Taste wild plants, Editions Ellebore, 2007, p. 230.
7. A comprehensive review on nettle effect and efficacy profiles, Part I: herba urticae. Chrubasik JE, Roufogalis BD, et al. Phytomedicine. 2007 Jun;14(6):423-35. Review.
8. Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990 Feb;56(1):44-7.
9. Thornhill SM, Kelly AM. Natural treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Altern Med Rev 2000 Oct;5(5):448-54.