Susan E. Mead, M.H.
Incorporated
Medical Herbalist

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The Benefits of Nettles

For your first taste of the potent power of herbs, I highly recommend stinging nettles - without the sting.

This common plant is known for the “needles” that grow upon it.  It may have even gotten its name from the Latin “nere”, the verb meaning “to sew”. 

However, once dried or cooked, the nettle loses its bite and becomes an extremely valuable and versatile herb that has been used for thousands of years.  The fresh leaves can even be boiled and eaten like spinach!

A Versatile Plant

Nutritious nettle tinctures, teas and infusions can provide benefits to your whole body, often reducing or alleviating the symptoms of:

• Insomnia

• Hot flashes

• Arthritis

• Adrenal depletion (stress)

• Itchy skin

• Asthma

• Anemia

• Headaches and migraines

• Constipation

• Indigestion

• Kidney and bladder disorders

• Dandruff (when used as a conditioning rinse)

Curious about what herbs can do for you?

Email me a bit about yourself and I will recommend a highly effective herb for your first try at Herbal Medicine - FREE. 

Nettle Tea

I highly recommend nettle tea (infusion).  Tea made from nettle leaves is dense in essential vitamins and minerals.  One quart of nettle tea/infusion prepared as directed provides 2,000 mg of calcium, eliminating the need for an extra calcium supplement.  Nettle tea is also high in:

How To Prepare Nettle Tea

1.  Place 1 oz. of organic, dried nettles in a glass, quart-sized jar.  Canning jars work well for this, and it will be just under half-full of the nettles.

2.  Pour just-boiled water (preferably without chlorine or fluoride) over the nettles, filling the jar all the way to the top.  Cap snugly, but not too tight.

3.  Let it steep for 4 hours or overnight.

4.  Strain the liquid out, squeezing any excess from the plant material, and store it in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

5.  Discard the left-over nettles in your compost or under your trees and bushes--it will help them be healthy, too!  Plus it's a more respectful way to treat the plant than the garbage.

6.  Drink 1 cup to 1 quart daily, either iced or heated, depending on your tastes.  But try to avoid the microwave as it destroys nutrients.  

I suggest starting with 1-2 cups for the first few days, then 1 quart/day until you feel great!  At that time, 1-2 cups/day is usually sufficient for maintenance.  For those who have that mid-afternoon crash, try to drink some of your nettle tea at 2-3 PM for a great pick-me-up.

Feel free to add a little honey or stevia (no sugar or artificial sweeteners) for flavor.  Fellow Herbalist Susun (yes that's the right spelling) Weed says that even if you need to add whiskey to enjoy the tea, it's worth it!  Some like the taste right away, others acquire the taste for it within two weeks--especially when they see the results!

After just 1-2 weeks of drinking a daily quart of nettle tea, you should notice a difference in the way you feel.  Sometimes you begin to feel better in as little as four days!  Most people feel more energetic and sleep more soundly when consuming this nutrient powerhouse.  And within a short time, you will likely see your hair become shinier, nails stronger and skin more supple, as well!

Past and Present Uses For Nettles

• Roman soldiers used to purposely sting themselves with live nettles to keep warm in the winter.
  

• Some Arthritis sufferers report stinging themselves on their joints, claiming that once the initial slight sting has worn off, they have enjoyed relief from their joint pain for hours at a time.
  

• People used to snuff dried powdered nettle leaves in order to stop nosebleeds.  Nettles do have an astringent property that may help control internal and external bleeding.

• To use nettles for a nourishing hair rinse, pour one quart of boiling water over approximately one cup of dried nettle leaves and allow to steep and cool for 30 minutes.  Strain and use as a final rinse after you have washed and conditioned your hair.  For additional silkiness, add comfrey root or comfrey powder to the dried nettles.

Your Next Steps Into Herbal Medicine

If you are happy with the results, and would like to know more about Herbal Medicine, please send me an email at herbalist@susanemead.com or call me at + 1 (970) 282-3669.  You and I will team up to create a personal protocol that fits your body's needs and matches your personal lifestyle.  Personal protocols include tips on nutrition, enjoyable forms of exercise and other lifestyle choices that will help you improve your health.

Begin Your Journey Now

Contact me or download the Health History Form now so we can move on to the next step to making you feel better, mind, body, and soul. 

To your health,

Susan E. Mead, M.H.

To your health,

Susan E. Mead, M.H.

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