THE HERBWIFE SPEAKS - STINGING NETTLE
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Latin Name: Urtica Dioica
Where Found: Moist rich soils. Often found on stream and river banks in partial shade.
Parts Used: Leaf, stem, seeds, root, and sting.
Used As: Young plant tops as a vegetable. Dried leaf, stems and root in infusioon or tincture. Dried seeds. Sting applied directly to area needing treatment.
When To Use:
Stinging nettles is one of my very favorite herbs. I primarily use nettle as an infusion made from the dried leaves and stems. The infusion is a deep green, nearly black and has a rich almost broth like flavor. If the taste is too far from what you think of as a beverage try adding a bit of salt and think of it as a broth instead. Nettle can be used every day and packs a nutritional punch. It is rich in both vitamins and minerals. Nettles is one of the best treatments for hayfever I have ever used. Regular consumption of the infusion eases hayfever symptons dramatically if not eliminating them completely. I have tried just about everything for allergies and nettles is the best thing I have found to stop the itching and sneezing, wheezing, and general misery. Nettle infusion is a tonic to the kidneys and a mild diuretic that can be useful in relieving chronic urinary tract infections. Nettle is a must have in pregnancy. Nettle tones the circulatory system making it easier for the body to deal with the increased blood volumn in pregnancy and lessens the occurance of varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Nettles also is an excellent source of vitimin K which helps reduce bleeding. Powdered dried nettle leaf can be used directly on bleeding wounds to slow or stop the bleeding. Nettle root tincture is an immune system stimulant and is useful in chronic conditions such as Epstein Barr and cancers. Only a few drops of tincture is used. The root tincture also is diuretic but acts more strongly than the leaf and stem infusion. The sting of the stinging nettle is used directly on painful joints to lessen inflamation. I had a very painful joint in my thumb that nothing seemed to help. Until I stung the joint with nettle. In a short time the pain and stiffness was gone. The sting of the nettle will cause a tingling sensation that will move up the body the more stings you use. I have handled nettle plants and had both arms buzzing with energy up to my shoulders. The british medical journal Lancet reproted in 2000 that nettle stings enabled people to reduce using arthritis medicines. I have not used the seed of the nettle plant but they are said to be laxative and improve the function of the thyroid gland.Magickal Associations
Planetary Association: Mars
Elemental Association: Fire
Influences: Protection, exorcism, healing
written at 9:17 p.m.
February 17, 2005
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