The healing properties of nettle and contraindications for use
The healing properties of nettles have been appreciated since the time of Hippocrates, Dioscorides and Pliny. It is one of the most widespread wild medicinal plants in Russia. The properties and chemical composition of nettle are unique. Pungent grass contains more vitamin C than black currant, and richer in carotene than carrots. Treats bleeding and obesity, anemia and hypertension, dandruff and tuberculosis, as well as many other serious and not so diseases. And at the same time it grows literally underfoot, it is considered a weed.
Description of the plant, collection time and preparation method
Nettle is a tall, from 60 cm to 1.7 m or more herbaceous plant, annual or perennial, with the aerial part dying off at the end of the season. The tetrahedral stems are straight, branching weakly. Leaves are opposite, whole, oblong-ovate, with a serrate edge.
The flowers are collected in an intermittent spike, depending on the species, white or yellowish-green, rarely purple shades. Creeping rhizomes. Propagated by self-seeding and root suckers. Grows well in nitrogen-rich soils.
The stalks and leaves of the nettle are covered with stinging hairs, which are actually one large cell filled with silicon salts. When touched by the plant, the sharp tip penetrates the skin and breaks. The cellular fluid causes pain that feels like a burn.
Both species growing in Russia: dioecious and stinging nettle have medicinal properties. It's easy to tell them apart.
Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle is a perennial. Depending on the place of growth and soil, it can reach 60 cm or 2 m. The stem is ascending, young - simple, from the middle of summer it begins to branch.
The leaves are pungent, oblong-ovate, with a cordate base and an elongated, pointed tip. The edge is serrate, the veins are clearly expressed. The length of the plate is about 2 times greater than its width, it is 8-17 cm.
Forms dense wrens. In Russia, it is distributed in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part, Western Siberia. It was introduced to the Far East and the east of Siberia, where it has taken root well, and now it grows everywhere.
Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle is a short annual, reaching 15-35 cm. A monoecious plant with small dark green oval leaves 2-6 cm long. It blooms from late spring to late autumn. Stings especially hard.
Grows in small groups, practically does not form thickets. In Russia, it is distributed everywhere, except for the Far North.
When and how to collect nettles
Nettle is a ruderal plant, that is, it often grows close to human habitation.
You can not collect raw materials for medicinal purposes:
- in landfills and garbage heaps;
- along high-voltage lines;
- next to the road;
- at industrial enterprises;
- in other polluted and ecologically unfavorable places.
The healing properties of nettle are manifested throughout the growing season, but the highest concentration of nutrients reaches:
- leaves - a period of mass flowering of the plant, the time of collection should be chosen depending on the region, it falls on May-August;
- rhizomes are harvested from late autumn to early spring;
- juice is obtained from young shoots before bud formation.
The aerial part of the nettle is harvested in the morning after the dew has dried. The weather should be dry and clear.
Collect medicinal raw materials in gloves, better - leather or canvas. Depending on the volume, a knife is used to prepare the aboveground part, scissors, sickle or scythe.
When harvesting in autumn, the roots must be collected before frost - this is not related to the medicinal properties of nettles, it's just difficult to dig frozen ground. But in the spring, if you are late, and young shoots will start to grow, it is too late to harvest raw materials. All nutrients accumulated in the previous season are actively spent on the renewal of the growing season.
Nettle seeds also have medicinal properties. They are harvested after ripening. Spikelets are cut and threshed.
How to properly dry nettles
The herb is dried whole by spreading it out in a thin layer on clean paper or cloth in a dry, warm, well-ventilated area, protected from the sun. For example, under a canopy, in a clean, hot utility room with open windows, in an attic.
The oven cannot be used. Dryer - at a temperature not exceeding 50 ° С.
The raw material is ready for further processing when the veins break easily. Then they put on gloves, cut off the leaves, put them in paper or canvas bags. Store in a dry place for up to 2 years.
Nettle rhizomes are washed and dried in the attic, in another hot room or dryer at 40-50 ° C. Lay out in 1 layer.
Healing properties of nettle and chemical composition
The content of nutrients in nettles depends on the place of growth and the time of collection. This is especially true for nutrients - vitamins and minerals. For example, ascorbic acid in a plant can be from 100 to 600 mg per 100 g. The data given in the article are averaged.
Most often, the reference literature provides data on the chemical composition and properties of stinging nettle. Studies have shown that stinging nettle has the same medicinal effect and set of elements. It's just that their ratio is somewhat different. For the use of a medicinal plant at home, this does not matter.
The nutritional value
In the season of young nettle, when the stalks have not had time to become coarse, useful substances from the plant can be obtained along with fresh salads, first courses and side dishes. The effect will not be as strong as after taking pills, infusions or decoctions, but you can heal and nourish the body after winter.
Fresh nettle contains 33 kcal. The ratio of BJU (proteins-fats-carbohydrates) 2.6: 0.3: 5.2. These are average figures, deviations can be significant. Dry nettle contains 82 kcal. The BZHU is also changing - 35: 0: 24.
Adherents of dietary or sports nutrition will be interested in that nettle is a source of chlorophyll on an industrial scale, including:
- fiber;
- proteins;
- nutrients;
- a set of nitrogen-free extractive substances.
Summary - with a low calorie content, nettle is a valuable food product, although its fresh consumption season is rather short. It is recommended to include it in the diet for everyone who has no contraindications.
Chemical composition
Depending on the soil on which the nettle grew, the content of nutrients fluctuates, but the composition remains the same.
The culture is especially rich in:
- vitamin C nettle contains 2 times more than lemon and black currant;
- in terms of carotene content, it surpasses sea buckthorn, carrots, sorrel;
- the daily dose of vitamin A is 20 nettle leaves.
Of the vitamins, B1-6 are still worthy of mention. The leaves contain up to 5% chlorophyll, which is called plant hemoglobin, is an antioxidant, normalizes the activity of the circulatory and hormonal systems, rejuvenates, fights microbes, strengthens the immune system.
Nettle contains:
- glycosides, including urticin;
- organic acids such as formic and ferulic;
- flavonoids;
- glycosides;
- phytoncides;
- up to 2% tannins, including tannin;
- gum;
- essential oils.
Nicotine has been found in the roots of nettle.
Content and role of minerals
100 g of scalded or steamed nettle contains the following minerals:
- calcium (481 mg) is needed to build bone and muscle tissue, is included in many processes of the circulatory and nervous systems;
- potassium (334 mg) - a metabolism regulator, normalizes kidney function and pressure, participates in protein synthesis and transmission of nerve impulses, normalizes acid-base, water and salt balance;
- phosphorus (71 mg) is vital for the brain, central nervous system, kidneys and other internal organs, joints and teeth, participates in the formation of bone tissue, provides energy, the susceptibility of nerve endings, the ability of muscles to contract, helps to absorb vitamins;
- magnesium (57 mg) - reduces nervous excitability, has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties, gives energy, participates in the transmission of nerve impulses, protein synthesis, bone building, promotes the absorption of glucose;
- iron (41 mg) - is part of hemoglobin, participates in hematopoiesis, helps cells to saturate with oxygen;
- manganese (8.2 mg) - is responsible for reproductive function, regulates the activity of the central nervous system, relieves irritation, participates in the construction of bones, increases potency;
- boron (4.3 mg) - is present in all tissues and organs, it is especially needed for the skeleton and tooth enamel, stabilizes the endocrine system, increases the number of sex hormones;
- sodium (4 mg) - the main function is to maintain the osmotic pressure of blood plasma, regulate the balance of fluid and acid-base;
- titanium (2.7 mg) - until the end, the role of the element in the human body is not clear, it is known that it participates in immune processes, hemoglobin synthesis, and activates metabolism;
- copper (1.3 mg) - a component of melanin, participates in pigmentation and collagen formation, helps the gland to be absorbed.
Nettle properties
The properties of nettle are due to its composition. It is used as a means:
- hemostatic;
- multivitamin;
- choleretic;
- fortifying;
- diuretic;
- laxative;
- normalizing lipid metabolism;
- regenerating, including the gastrointestinal mucosa;
- normalizing blood composition;
- anticonvulsant;
- lowering the glycemic index;
- constricting blood vessels;
- in gynecology - increasing the tone of the uterus;
- wound healing;
- expectorant;
- stopping hair loss.
The use of nettle in one form or another is recommended in the treatment of diseases;
- kidney;
- colds;
- liver, including hepatitis;
- iron deficiency anemia;
- of cardio-vascular system;
- tuberculosis;
- uterine bleeding;
- violation of metabolic processes;
- arthritis;
- alopecia;
- infectious skin lesions.
The herb helps fight neuroses, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The study of nettles continues.
Contraindications
Despite the rich chemical composition, nettle has few contraindications:
- rare individual intolerance;
- pregnancy - the herb causes the uterus to contract and can lead to miscarriage;
- thrombophlebitis;
- increased blood clotting;
- fluid retention caused by impaired kidney or heart function.
Medicinal properties of nettle in official medicine
Official medicine uses nettle in the form of crushed or powdery leaves, liquid extract. It is part of gastric collection No. 3 and laxative No. 1.
Nettle is present in medicines:
- Allochol;
- Basoton;
- Vitrum;
- Cardiotron;
- Polyhemostat;
- Prostaforthon;
- Urtifilin.
Application in traditional medicine
Traditional medicine uses nettle more widely than the official one. Its medicinal properties have been tested by time, and there are few contraindications.
It is easy to make a medicine from nettle on your own, at home. Cooked according to one recipe can help with various diseases.
Juice
The juice is squeezed out immediately after collecting the nettle, only in this way it will retain the maximum amount of nutrients.Use a juicer, if not, chop the stems blender, and then squeezed through cheesecloth. For better liquid extraction, keep the nettle for 2-3 minutes over steam or immersed in hot water for several minutes, but not in boiling water.
You can only use fresh nettles on the juice, collected with your own hands in an ecologically clean place or obtained from a reliable source. Immediately after collection. Soaked overnight in water or having time to fade, it is not a full-fledged raw material for juice.
Decoction
Pour boiling water over dry nettle (1 tbsp. L.) (200 ml). Keep on low heat for 15 minutes, covered. Cool, strain, top up to the original volume of liquid.
Use within 2 days. Keep refrigerated. Unless otherwise provided by the recipe, heat before use, but do not boil again.
Infusion
2 tbsp. l. nettle pour 250 ml of boiling water, keep in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, without bringing to a boil. Allow to cool. Strain. Top up to original volume.
Napar
Previously, it was cooked in a Russian oven, now - in a thermos, glass or ceramic lidding dish. Raw materials are poured with boiling water (1:10), a thermos is screwed or a container is wrapped. Insist at least 6 hours.
Tincture
Usually alcoholic infusions of nettle are used for external use. Place 200 g of dry raw materials in a liter glass container. Do not ram. Pour alcohol to the top.
It is recommended to use vodka or dilute medical alcohol to 40 °.
Cover with gauze so as not to block the air flow. Insist:
- 1 day in the light;
- 7 - in the dark.
Strain, squeeze out the grass. Store the tincture unopened in a cool dark place
Tea
2 teaspoons of dry nettle are poured with half a liter of water. Boil over low heat for 2 minutes. Insist 5 minutes, filter.
Take 1 glass on an empty stomach. Drink in small sips. The course is 2 weeks.
How to treat nettle
In an acute course or an advanced disease, you cannot independently prescribe nettle for yourself. You should definitely consult your doctor. Even if the doctor is not a supporter of traditional medicine, he should allow, or at least not give an outright ban on taking nettles.
Usually, decoctions are used during the day for 3 times in a warm form. Infusions and vapors are taken in a tablespoon, washed down with warm water, before meals. After 2 weeks, take a break for the same time.
Recommended for admission for diseases:
- liver;
- kidney;
- anemia;
- diabetes;
- urinary and gallbladder;
- spleen;
- arthritis;
- rheumatism;
- obesity;
- uterine bleeding.
Act:
- metabolism is normalized;
- inflammatory processes are removed;
- the work of the digestive tract is normalized;
- vessels are cleaned;
- the sugar content decreases;
- decreases pain in arthritis;
- the body is saturated with vitamins and useful trace elements;
- strengthens the immune system;
- in gynecology - the menstrual cycle is normalized.
For colds and vitamin deficiencies, as well as for the prevention of diseases, it is recommended to drink tea with nettle 2 times a day. You can enhance its effect and diversify the taste with other herbs, but then you should take less nettle. People who do not have contraindications, if desired, drink with sugar or honey.
Even nettle tea is a medicine. It is consumed for no more than a month, then they must take a break for at least 2 weeks.
Nettle juice is usually taken 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon. Recommended for:
- avitaminosis;
- tuberculosis;
- uterine bleeding;
- anemia;
- migraines;
- to cleanse the body;
- at all stages of prostatitis.
Nettle juice is used to wash wounds and apply healing dressings. It is used for rinsing with bleeding gums. Rubbed into the scalp for hair loss.
Alcohol tinctures can be safely applied externally:
- wipe your face with inflammation of the sebaceous glands;
- rub in for arthritis, osteoporosis, bursitis, osteochondrosis.
Inside, take for the same diseases as infusions and decoctions, but after consulting a doctor. Tinctures are strictly prohibited even in small doses for pregnant women, lactating mothers, people suffering from alcoholism.