1.Botanical Name: Urtica Diocia
- Common Name(s): Nettles
- Habitat and Growing area:
Where ever nettles grow, the soil is rich in minerals. Nettle can claim large edges of woods and other places that are in partial shade, spreading itself by underground runners. Also found in waste places, moist soils throughout Europe and North America. We are fortunate enough to have it growing here on our farm at the edge of the bog.
- Pertinent Information on the Plant:
- Alteratives (Blood purifier, gradually & favourable alter the condition of the body)
- Diuretic (increases urine flow)
- Nutritive (a class of plants that are rich in vitamins and minerals; a source of easily assimilated nutrients)
- Tonic (a substance that increases strength and tone)
- Astringent (agent that constricts and binds by coagulation of proteins a cell surface)
- Rubefacient (agent which reddens skin, dilates the vessels, and increases blood supply locally)
- Hemostatic (controls the flow or stops the flow of blood)
- Galactagogue (an agent that promotes the flow of milk)
- Expectorant (facilitates removal of secretions)
- Lithotriptics (dissolve and eliminate urinary and biliary stones and gravel)
- Antibiotics (inhibits the growth of, or destroy, bacteria, viruses or amoebas)
- Anti-rheumatics (easing pain of rheumatism, inflammation of joints and muscles)
- Skin (Eczema)
- High in minerals, ideal for anemia
- Liver
- Diabetes
- Kidneys
- Calcium, magnesium – Bones
- Vitamin B – the emotional balancer
- Nervine – Strengthen nervous system
- Reproductive tonic – males and females
- Liver
- Allergies and hay fever
- Help with hemorrhaging, so are used for nose bleeds
- Compensate for the vitamin K issues
- Growing pains in children
- Urinary health
- Your personal experience with the plant. Include your personal experience of tasting it and its effect on you.
Cooked nettles are Salty and Sweet. The stronger, salty flavor indicates a high level of minerals and the sweet flavor builds up tissues and strengthens body. Cooked spinach with a bit of butter is one of my favourite vegetables. A highly nutritive herb that I add to many herbal tea blends, foods and smoothies. I recommend often for nursing mothers and allergy sufferers.
- The reference books used, author, page
Holistic Herbal
David Hoffmann
Pages 53, 77, 79, 85, 94, 95, 102, 115, 127, 133, 143, 147, 218, 220, 227, 230
The way of Herbs
Michael Tierra
Pages 32, 35, 36, 72, 166, 167
The complete Encyclopedia of Herbs
Nico Vermeulen
Pages 297
Family Herbal
Rosemary Gladstar
Pages 19, 25, 28, 32, 33, 51, 55, 102, 105, 149, 171, 176, 199, 200, 201, 203, 205, 206, 214, 219, 227, 237, 239, 249, 255, 259, 299, 353, 354
Peterson Field Guide
Easter/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs
Steven Foster and James A. Duke
Pages 239, 240
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