Nettles Leaf herbal infusion 101. Using Herbs Simply and Safely

[Pat Robinson]

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Two cups of nettle infusion has all the vitamins and minerals you need for a day. And, it's in their natural, effective, complex forms; not synthetic and broken up like in pills.

To make an infusion of nettle:

• place one ounce of dried herb in a quart jar
• fill to the top with hot (not boiling) water
• cap tightly and let steep for 4-8 hours
• strain and drink

 

"Stinging Nettles herbal infusions have calcium, magnesium. potassium, iron, chromium, selenium, trace minerals, Chlorophyll, and B vitamins. manganese, silica, iodine and sodium. They are also a great source of vitamins A, C and E, B complex vitamins and beta-carotene. I use Nettles regularly in my diet as a major source of easy to absorb vitamins and minerals."
http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/313-nettle

Plus many other health benefits: http://www.rain-tree.com/nettles.htm  Costs about $8 per month. :-)

Nettles Leaf herbal infusion 101.

Using Herbs Simply and Safely Learn how to understand how safe--or dangerous--any herb might be.

Also known as Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle, Common Nettle, Gerrais, Isirgan, Kazink, Ortiga, Grande Ortie, Ortie, Urtiga, Chichicaste, and Brennessel

Herbal Anecdote: Nettle is an excellent source of many minerals and vitamins, giving it a reputation as one of the most nutrient-rich herbs available.

Traditional Uses: Allergies, cystitis, kidney and bladder stones, diuretic, astringent, psoriasis, acne.

Nettles has astringent, expectorant, galactagogue milk producing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, homeostatic, and diuretic properties.


"Bioflavonoids in Nettle leaves and roots are generally anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine. The magnesium in Nettle may help upper respiratory symptoms, if asthmatics are magnesium-deficient. Magnesium relieves bronchial muscle spasms and reduces the histamine response. The boron in Nettle may be helpful in treating osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), because it helps the bones retain calcium and influences the body's endocrine system since hormones play a crucial role in helping the body maintain healthy bones and joints." http://www.nutrovita.com/info/nettle-herb.html

"Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) builds energy, strengthens the adrenals, and is said to restore youthful flexibility to blood vessels. A cup of nettle infusion contains 500 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of  bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron, and zinc. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. For flexible bones, a healthy heart, thick hair, beautiful skin, and lots of energy, make friends with sister stinging nettle. It may make you feel so good you'll jump up and exercise." http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Article-healthy.htm

"Green is the color of plant energy. The plants with the deepest green give you the most energy. A daily cup of nettle infusion increases energy without wiring your nerves. Nettle strengthens the adrenals, allowing you to tolerate more stress with less harm. And it nourishes your immune system, too.

To make it: Put one ounce of dried nettle leaf in a quart jar. Fill to the top with boiling water. Cap tightly and steep at least four hours (overnight is fine). Strain and drink. I add about 1 cup of dry nettles to 4
cups liquid.

Refrigerate the remainder and consume within 36 hours. (Leftovers may be used as a hair rinse or fertilizer for your house plants.)" http://www.susunweed.com/An_Article_Fatigue_AW3.htm


Constituents

"formic acid, histamine, serotonin, choline, minerals, chlorophyll, amino acids, lecithin, carotenoids, flavonoids, sterols, tannins and vitamins. Nettle's main plant chemicals include: acetophenone, acetylcholine, agglutinins, alkaloids, astragalin, butyric acid, caffeic acids, carbonic acid, chlorogenic acid, chlorophyll, choline, coumaric acid, folacin, formic acid, friedelins, histamine, kaempherols, koproporphyrin, lectins, lecithin, lignans, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, neoolivil, palmitic acid, pantothenic acid, quercetin, quinic acid, scopoletin, secoisolariciresinol, serotonin, sitosterols, stigmasterol, succinic acid, terpenes, violaxanthin, and xanthophylls" http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/nettle_leaf.php



"Many of the benefits are due to the plant's very high levels of minerals, especially, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium, and sulfur. They also provide chlorophyll and tannin, and they're a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and B complex vitamins. Nettles also have high levels of easily absorbable amino acids. They're ten percent protein, more than any other vegetable."  http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Nettle.html

Making a big jar of Nettles Infusion with Susan Weed (video): How to Use Stinging Nettle as a Natural Allergy Medicine
http://www.ehow.com/how_2070630_treat-allergies-stinging-nettle.html

Herbs for Pregnancy: http://www.herbshealing.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm


Everything I've read suggests drinking Nettles while nursing. "well-known herbs to help with milk flow include fennel, fenugreek, nettles and blessed thistle."
http://www.wisdomofhealing.com/2006/10/31/breastfeeding-made-easier/

Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in nettles.


From Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen
Per 100g dry weight:

Calcium - 2900mg
Magnesium - 860mg
Potassium - 1750mg
Selenium - .22mg
Zinc - .47mg

Thiamine - .54mg
Riboflavin (B2) - .43mg



They taste very GREEN!



I toss the strained leaves into my bone broth. It is delicious and nutritious!!

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[MM]

Any thoughts on warming up the infustion on cold winter days.  In the summer, I use to drink it cold out of the fridge but have been warming up a little bit (not boiling or steaming hot) and drinking as a tea.  Does warming the nettle infusion impact it's nutritional content?  

[Sheila Murphy]

I am actually thinking of growing them myself---I wonder if they would grow OK in Wisconsin?

[Yvonne LV]

They grow extremely well in Sweden so i imagine they'd be fine in Wisconsin.

[Sharlene Bjerke]

so if we take tho ones out of the yard, only the leaves?  And the recipe seems to use dired herb, but these would not be dried, is that ok?

[Karen Bixby]

Wow, amazing info...who knew you could get all this from nettles?! :)   Thanks again, Pat!

[Sarah Wood]

Does anyone have additional info on nettle root?  I recommended nettle leaf infusion to my SIL b/c she is anemic and struggling to replenish her iron (she suffers from resteless leg syndrome and IBS).  She has started seeing a naturopath who told her the nettle root would be more beneficial than nettle leaf.  But most of the info I can find on the root says it is used more for male problems like prostate and baldness... 

Also, when I looked up info at MRH, the precaution section of the contemporary info says that neither nettle root or leaf should be used for a long period of time b/c of it's dieuretic and hypotensive actions... or is that just a caution for people taking medications for those conditions?  (the wording on the webpage seems somewhat ambiguous in that regard, at least to me).

Thanks for any advise/info.

[Yvonne LV]

If she is anemic, then she'll want to add alfalfa infusion to her daily teas too.  

No idea about the root of nettle though.

[Molly W.]

Sarah,

I was just reading this today...

here are some excerpts according to Susun Weed from Wise Woman Herbal Healing Wise:

"Nettle Root Properties and Uses (especially of Laportea canadensis/wood nettle)."

"Tonic, diuretic.

Astringent, antidiarrheal.

Use nettle root as a hair and scalp tonic, a urinary strengthener and stimulant, and immune system/lymphatic strengthener, and for a bit of first aid.

Dose of fresh nettle root tincture is 5-90 drops a day, in water.

Dose of dried nettle root infusion is 4-8 oz/125/250ml a day."

She does say this: "Note: overuse or excessive doses are reported to cause hallucinations.

Under the heading "Nettle Root is a Bit of First Aid" she also mentions that: "Sipping nettle root decoction helps stop dysentery, loose bowels, and diarrhea."

She doesn't mention anything for long term use, so I don't know about that. It sounds like "First Aid" use as an anti-diarrheal is a temporary fix.

Susun Weed says a lot more about Nettles Leaf/Stalk Properties and Uses.

[Susan Roragen]

Continually reading about nettles here and on the Q&A online, I have just made my first infusion and it's sitting on the counter. I'm so excited! And I think I have a UTI, so I hope it helps that, also, since I don't have the $25 co-pay to see a doctor. :)

[Pat Robinson]

Susan,

Here are some recent discussions regarding UTI:
https://www.facebook.com/h​ome.php?sk=group_198655400​153292&vi...
https://www.facebook.com/h​ome.php?sk=group_198655400​153292&vi...
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?​sk=group_198655400153292&v​iew=permalink&id=216092118​409620
https://www.facebook.com/h​ome.php?sk=group_198655400​153292&vi...
https://www.facebook.com/h​ome.php?sk=group_198655400​153292&vi...

Pat