Nettle Tea: Health Benefits

Probably, everyone knows the nettle, which grows in the garden, in the forest, in the fields and is considered weed grass. But few people know that the leaves of such a plant are characterized by various beneficial properties and are used in herbal medicine in combination with other agents for the treatment of many diseases.

Useful components of nettle tea are due to the presence of a large number of biologically active elements that are originally contained in the plant itself. For example, during the heat treatment of nettle leaves, substances are released that can reduce pain in certain diseases. Amino acids in the herb have a beneficial effect on protein metabolism, which occurs in the body.

Composition and calorie content

Nettle contains a large amount of water, almost 85%, in addition, the plant consists of fats, fiber, proteins and carbohydrates. Also, medicinal grass has a rich vitamin composition. Many representatives of vitamin B were found in it. Among them are thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, pantothenic and folic acid. From trace elements, the plant is enriched with manganese, zinc, iron, copper and selenium. Macronutrients are represented by chlorine, magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

The stalk and nettle leaves contain volatile, essential oil, starch. The burning hairs that cover the leaves of the plant are enriched with formic acid and other nitrogen-containing acids, as a result of which nettle burns appear.

Grass seeds are rich in ascorbic acid and fatty oil, which includes linoleic acid. The roots also contain a high content of vitamin C and nicotine derivatives.

Nettle is considered a dietary supplement. Urticin Lycoside, which is present in the grass, is a natural pacemaker. Vitamins E, K, PP, carotenoids, chlorophyll and some acids are also found in the plant.

Nettle calorie content is quite small - only 42 kcal per 100 g of plant. Due to the content of proteins in the grass, the nutritional value of the product increases (at the same level as legumes). It's no secret that the grass was consumed by our ancestors. But to date, the relevance of its use in the preparation of soups and various other dishes has not decreased.

Useful properties of nettle tea

General benefit

Dioecious nettle has an anti-inflammatory, hemostatic effect. With the help of this plant, you can increase the tone of smooth muscles in the uterine cavity, raise the level of hemoglobin and increase the number of red blood cells in the blood. Nettle is used in the treatment of anemia, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, various bleeding, diseases of the bladder, liver. Also, the plant is used for liver pathologies and for metabolic disorders, serves as a prevention of atherosclerosis and vitamin deficiency. Preparations for external use, made using nettles, have a bactericidal effect. The use of such a tool for tissue damage stimulates the regeneration process. Also, the plant is effective in the treatment of varicose ulcers.

In folk medicine, there are many recipes for the manufacture of medicines that have a wound healing, laxative, diuretic, expectorant, anticonvulsant effect. Constipation, swelling, bleeding, asthma, allergies, liver and kidney diseases - all this can be treated with this herb.Shredded dry nettle leaves are used to obtain infusions, lotions that prevent the process of hair loss, and also help get rid of furunculosis and other skin diseases.

For women

For the female body, nettle is used as a drug that can normalize the cycle. This is ensured by the content in the plant of the initial substrate of phytoncides, which, when ingested from the blood on the mucous membrane of the genitals, inhibit the reproduction of pathogens, leading to disruption of the normal natural cycle. It is also known that the plant has a positive effect on the functioning of the ovaries, which leads to the normalization of hormonal levels.

Another useful property of nettle tea for women is its effectiveness, if necessary, to get rid of extra pounds. A particularly good result is observed in combination with a diet that assumes a low fast carbohydrate and fat content and high protein content. Most nutritionists recommend consuming this drink in the event that excess weight appears due to disruption of the endocrine glands.

It must be remembered that nettle tea cannot be an independent medicine, a drink can be used to treat diseases only in combination with drugs. To get recommendations on the use of such tea, you should consult your doctor.

The benefits of nettle leaf tea also lie in the fact that when it is consumed, the nervous system appears resistant to stressful situations. This is due to the presence of a large number of B vitamins in the dried nettle leaves.

For men

Nettle drink leads to increased levels of testosterone in the male body. This is due to the high content of many amino acids, which are constituent components of protein molecules in the human body. As a result, spermatogenesis improves, the process of gaining muscle mass becomes easier. In addition, tea from the leaves of medicinal herbs increases potency.

Most of the men who regularly take this tea noted that at the same time the work of the digestive tract is normalized, the condition improves or the pathologies of the urogenital area completely disappear, the work of the musculoskeletal system is normalized. Some traumatologists even recommend using this tea in order to accelerate the healing process of fractures and damage to ligaments.

Due to the presence of biologically active elements in the nettle, the plant helps to prevent hair loss in men and restore their normal growth.

Nettle tea can also be a great alternative to traditional drinks. Therefore, if for some reason ordinary tea is not consumed by a person, you can freely replace it with nettle.

During pregnancy

Although this medicinal plant has a lot of useful properties, it is forbidden to use it in the first trimester of pregnancy. Drinking nettle tea or infusion up to 12 weeks is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that nettle can lead to spasms of blood vessels and smooth muscle muscles. That is, it can cause a miscarriage. It is also prohibited to use this plant for uterine bleeding.

If we are talking about external use, then there are no restrictions in this case. Nettle strengthens hair. Since ancient times, after washing their hair, women used decoctions and infusions of nettles to rinse hair. Since women often experience hair loss in the early stages of pregnancy, they can use this method to solve the problem.

The second and third trimester is characterized by the development of anemia. And during this period, the expectant mother can use a drug based on nettle. If during pregnancy no complications are observed, there are no contraindications to the use of nettle tea.Such a drink will help improve digestion and metabolism, increase hemoglobin, and also cleanse the body of toxins.

To make such tea, you need to pour a few tablespoons of dried raw materials with two glasses of boiling water and insist for half an hour. After this time, the liquid should be filtered, it can be used both in warm and in cold form. It is important to comply with the norm.

When breastfeeding

Nettle leaf tea during lactation is recommended to be used if the woman does not have enough milk to feed the baby, there is heavy menstruation, iron deficiency, as well as in the presence of inflammatory diseases and vitamin deficiency.

Nettle helps restore a woman’s body after childbirth, improve her well-being and return to her previous forms. In addition to the benefits for the body, there is an effective benefit for lactation - the product promotes the production of breast milk. It is recommended to start using nettle tea in the second trimester.

The use of nettles during breastfeeding provides milk with important trace elements, especially iron. This is the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in both the mother and the child.

In addition to increasing the volume of breast milk, its quality also improves due to the content of healthy fats and protein. This plant is characterized by a general strengthening, tonic, wound healing effect.

Due to its beneficial properties, nettle tea helps to get rid of stress, cope with insomnia and fatigue. The drink improves physical metabolism, restores the normal menstrual cycle, strengthens blood vessels and boosts immunity.

To increase lactation, the drug should be taken half an hour before the baby is fed. This time is enough for beneficial substances from the plant to be absorbed by the body and into milk.

For children

For a child's body, nettle tea serves as an immunomodulator. The drink increases the body's resistance to various viruses and infections. With a cold, such a drug will help get rid of cough, eliminate inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract. With the regular use of this healing infusion, the child’s body is enriched with iron and various vitamins, which will strengthen the baby’s health and protect against the occurrence of anemia.

You can use nettle leaf tea in childhood if the child is not allergic to the plant. Otherwise, you can harm the still fragile body.

When losing weight

Burning weed is also used for weight loss. Due to the large list of useful components, the plant is able to cleanse the body of excess fluid, remove toxins and remove unnecessary kilograms.

Nettle-based drink is a diuretic and choleretic agent. So, nettle can rid the body of excess water, and at the same time cleanse it of toxins. This leads not only to strengthen the protective shell, but also to reduce centimeters at the waist.

In addition, nettle has the ability to normalize metabolism, improve bowel function and reduce blood glucose. The mild laxative effect of the product helps to empty the intestines in time.

Nettle leaves suppress hunger. The plant also relaxes the nervous system.

Nettle tea in medicine

1. Nettle seed tea is used to treat cough and insomnia. To do this, 5 tablespoons of seeds should be boiled in a glass of water for about 10 minutes. After this, the liquid should be infused for about an hour, after which it must be filtered and add a little honey or sugar to improve the taste.
2. With vitamin deficiency, you can make tea using 4 tablespoons of dried plant raw materials. Dry leaves should be poured with a liter of boiling water and cover the pan with a towel. In this state, the liquid should be infused for two hours, after which it must be filtered. You need to drink such a drink 4–5 times a day, 50–60 ml each, take this remedy 40 minutes before eating.
3. To eliminate allergic rashes, urticaria and eczema, a tablespoon of the plant's flowers should be poured with 250 ml of boiling water, covered with a lid and wrapped in a towel. The finished product must be drunk five times a day for half a glass.
4. To improve the well-being of a stroke, you will also need to make tea using two tablespoons of nettle. Raw materials must be boiled in a liter of water for about 10 minutes. The liquid should be infused for 8-12 hours. The drug should be taken half a cup three times a day.
5. It is possible to purify blood during intoxication with the help of an infusion, for which 10 g of dried roots and leaves of the herb are required, pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 60 minutes. Take nettle tea before meals, 0.5 cups.
6. To cure a stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer, it is necessary to take 250 ml of hot liquid on a teaspoon of dried raw materials and insist 30-40 minutes. Take a drink in small sips.
7. If you pour 7 g of dry crushed nettle raw materials with a glass of boiling water and insist for half an hour, you get a remedy for the treatment of anemia. In this case, you should take it one tablespoon three times a day.
8. As already mentioned, nettle tea stimulates the functioning of the nervous system. To prepare such a drink, rinse and dry the young plants, cut them finely and place in a jar. After that, it is necessary to pour cooled boiled water into the container and cover with a layer of gauze. The mass should be infused at room temperature for 10 hours. Ready to use 100 ml 2-3 times a day.

Harm and contraindications

Nettle damage is associated with its stinginess. That is, with skin contact with nettles, burns appear on the skin, which are eliminated by the use of antihistamines. You can also get rid of such burns with a compress using a solution of apple cider vinegar and water.

Contraindications to the use of tea from nettle raw materials are diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, cysts or polyps in the uterus. It is also forbidden to use the plant at the beginning of pregnancy.

Nettle tea is not recommended during the hot season, as dehydration may occur as a result of the diuretic effect. In the presence of serious diseases, a plant can only harm the body. Therefore, before using nettle-based products, it is important to consult a specialist.

When to collect and how to dry nettle for tea

The best time to collect nettles is the period from mid to late autumn, since this moment is characterized by the presence of the greatest amount of nutrients in the leaves of the grass.

When collecting it is important to cut off those leaves that are not damaged by fungal diseases. To verify this, you should carefully study the plucked leaves. They should not have cobwebs, parasite larvae, or black spots. It is not recommended to collect raw materials in places where industrial facilities, freeways, and fields treated with pesticides are located nearby.

Drying of the leaves is carried out as follows: cut leaves are laid out on a newspaper litter in an even layer, then the raw materials are removed to a place protected from the sun, since the sun's rays destroy the useful components of the primary raw materials.

Leaves are dried for 1–1.5 months. Dried plants are collected in one heap and grind.Grinding leaves is optional. Dried raw materials should be removed for storage in a dark place protected from moisture.

How to make nettle tea: recipes

Nettle tea is a proven folk remedy. In the summer, the drink can be prepared from fresh raw materials, in winter, you can use dry leaves of grass. There are several ways to make such healthy tea, and each of them is particularly effective.

Nettle-based herbal infusion is a drug. Such a liquid should not replace tea and coffee; it is also recommended to drink it without adding sugar. To drink such a remedy should be three times a day for 20-30 minutes before eating. The course of treatment depends on the disease and can be long, but in this case, you need to take the minimum dose.

If you need to restore strength after hard work or replenish the supply of vitamins after a long winter, you should brew a nettle drink and drink it, following the instructions. Tea with this plant can be combined with rose hips, various berries and other herbs. However, before starting treatment with nettle tea, you should consult a doctor and make sure that there are no contraindications.

Fresh nettle

To make nettle tea from a fresh plant, you must first prepare it. To do this, young stalks and nettle leaves must be washed under water and put in a pan. Dishes should be poured with water and put on fire, and then bring to a boil. After that, boil the drink on low heat for about 15 minutes, then remove from heat and strain.

From dried leaves

To all minerals and vitamins quickly stand out from dried nettles, you can use the following method. It should be three tablespoons of dry raw materials, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and cover the dishes with a lid. Raw materials should be infused for 10-15 minutes, after which it must be filtered.

With the addition of rose hips

The combination of nettle and rosehip in tea strengthens the immune system. To prepare such a drink, you need to take three tablespoons of nettle and wild rose and pour them with boiling water. After this, the container with medicinal herbs should be put on fire and bring the mass to a boil. Then the dishes must be removed from the stove and insisted for several hours.

Interesting Nettle Facts

1. Nettle is a favorite treat for certain types of butterflies.
2. Nettle needles contain formic acid, which leads to the burning of the plant.
3. Young leaves of grass are added to borscht and soups, used in the preparation of salads.
4. Nettle leaves can be used to store perishable foods.
5. In the food industry, this plant is used to produce a natural green dye.
6. In England, grass is used to make wine. To get 3000 liters of drink, about 40 kg of nettle leaves are needed.

Nettle tea photo