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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[lisa]

Thanks!!!!

[Yvonne LV]

I wanted to add:

Soaking nettles in water or cooking will remove the stinging chemicals from the plant, which allows them to be handled and eaten without incidence of stinging.

Fresh nettle is used in folk remedies to stop bleeding because of its high Vitamin K content. Meanwhile, in dry U. dioica, the Vitamin K is practically non-existent and so is used as a blood thinner. (from wiki)

[Sarah Wood]

Should one consume some fat with their nettles to better assimilate the A,D,E,K?

[Pat Robinson]

Sarah, that is an interesting question! I'd think yes, but I drink the Nettles first thing in the morning, often. Sounds like a great idea though! I'll try to do that when I have them mid-day from now on.

Pat

[Julie O'C]

I'm a devoted nettles infusion enthusiast, but I'm wondering if it is having too much of a diuretic effect for me. This summer my weight has been fluctuating more than usual from day to day, sometimes four pounds. On the days when my weight goes low, I feel really lousy - weak, tired and anxious. I really want to continue drinking my "brew" every night (red clover, nettles, chamomile, lavender) but I need to get the water weight regulated. Should I limit my intake to one cup per night?

[Rachel Ernst]

What does an ounce of dried herb look like? Would you measure it and post? Maybe a tablespoon?
Thank you!

[Pat Robinson]

"A large handful" is the way Susun Weed describes it for a liter or Mason jar quantity of infusion. About 1-2 inches of loose herb in the bottom of the jar.

I get more than 16 batches from a pound of nettles, though. So, I might have a small hand. :-) No worries.


Pat

[Sarah Wood]

I'd measure at least a cup by volume for an ounce of herb. One time I did weigh it out, and it measured up to the 1.5 cup line in my quart sized mason jar. So I generally do 4 rounded quarter cup measures.

[Amy Witt]

Does anyone here grow their own?  I'm not sure they'd grow for me (North Carolina), but I'd like to look into finding some seeds to try.  Barring the grow-your-own thing, where are some good places to order it?  Thanks!  Amy

[MM]

Amy, I buy my nettles from Mountain Rose Herbs and they excellent quality.  You can also buy them at the local health food stores.  If you're thinking of growing them, Mountain Rose also sell the seeds.