Nettle Leaf is such a potent little plant with all its nutrients, it cannot be passed up in this Super Superfood.
Below is an extract from a very full and knowledgeable article on Nettle Leaf in Alternative Healing, Your Guide To Better Health. Read the full article in the link below.
Below is an excerpt from the above link.
Nettle - historically universal herbal remedy
Stinging nettle has a long medicinal history. First records of its use go back to the first century AD, when it was used to treat colds and malaise. Due to its great detox properties, it has traditionally been employed as a blood purifier, cleansing the blood and facilitating toxin elimination.
Stinging nettle has been used throughout history as a potent diuretic and laxative as well as an excellent herbal remedy for swellings, irregular menstrual periods, external and internal bleeding, pneumonia, asthma, spleen-related diseases, gangrenous wounds and many other ailments.
In the 17th century, it was recommended as an antidote to venomous stings from animals and was said to be helpful for kidney or bladder stones or gravel, skin infections, joint aches, gout and sciatica.
There is a well-known and widespread traditional Russian practice of flogging oneself with the fresh nettle plant (called urtification), employed to stimulate blood circulation and alleviate rheumatic disorders.
In traditional Russian medicine nettle has also been used to treat gall bladder and liver complaints. In British and German phytotherapy this plant has been highly valued for its anti-inflammatory effect - it is particularly effective against urinary tract infections, bladder infections and prostate problems.
Due to its high levels of iron, nettle has been used in different cultures as a traditional remedy for anemia, scurvy and lack of energy. It contains valuable fibers that are very similar in texture to those of hemp or flax and have consequently been ideal for textile production since ancient times.
In many households housewives used to employ nettle to clean mirrors and other glass surfaces or wash dishes by rubbing the plant into dirty surfaces, rinsing with water and wiping dry with a clean cloth.
Nettle - a powerhouse of valuable nutrients
This widespread herbaceous plant provides many valuable nutrients
It is particularly rich in vitamins C,A, K and B2. It also contains high levels of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, flavonoids,, tannins, chlorophyll, carotenoids, lecithin, phytosterols, acetylcholine as well as panthothenic, formic, acetic and silicic acids.
The nettle root contains high levels of iron, which makes it good for fighting anemia, treating dandruff, preventing hair loss and regenerating hair growth.
Nettle's high magnesium content makes it an excellent remedy for joint and muscle pain, menstrual cramps, malaise, fatigue and exhaustion. Since nettle is also rich in silica, an essential mineral for maintaining the integrity and health of the skin, modern phytotherapy strongly recommends its use in the treatment of acne, eczema, herpes and fungi.
Due to its high vitamin K content, nettle will guard against excessive bleeding and has therefore been recommended to curb excess menstrual flow, regulate menstruation and stop nosebleeding.
It is an excellent remedy for chronic urinary tract infections, since it contains tannins, compounds that help inhibit bacterial proliferation.
Nettle's lecithin content helps relieve joint and muscle pain, aids digestion, promotes hair growth. It also improves memory and concentration, elevates the mood and aids weather-sensitive individuals.
A wonderful natural remedy for anemia
This simple plant has been used for centuries as a folk medicine for anemia and poor circulation. Iron is an essential mineral that the human body needs for maintaining healthy blood and for building muscles. Since the body does not produce iron on its own, one needs to make sure a natural iron source is part of their daily diet.
Therefore nettle's rich iron content has made this herb an invaluable remedy in every household's medicine cabinet. It is still used today as a wonderful blood builder and circulatory stimulant.
Nettle is also rich in vitamin C, which naturally aids in the iron absorption. By employing this herb, you will avoid the common side effects that occur when taking iron supplements, such as nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain. Nettle also works as a natural source of energy and vitality.
A wonderful natural detox herb
This somewhat plain-looking herb works as an excellent natural detoxifying agent. It helps stimulate the digestive system, increases the secretion and flow of urine (thereby helping with fluid retention), purifies the blood and stimulates the intestines. Nettle facilitates the elimination of excess uric acid from the body and releases it from the joints, providing relief from gout and gout-related conditions.
As a diuretic, nettle helps cleanse the body of metabolic wastes and prevents the buildup of toxins, thus effectively fighting off the parasites.
NOTE 1: Nettle leaf is in Super Superfood Greens 2% by volume, in Super Superfood Reds 2 % by volume, and in Super Superfood Gold it is 1.6% by volume.
NOTE 2: While these above are amazing reports, our super superfoods do not include high volumes of nettle leaf. If you are ill, please go to a physician. If on the other hand, you want good health by a cross selection of good nutrition, with an associated long life, our super superfoods are available for you.
Some references:
Stinging nettles leaf (Urtica dioica L.): Extraordinary vegetable medicine
Phenolic compounds analysis of root, stalk, and leaves of nettle.
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress as a major cause of age-related diseases and cancer.
Effects of Urtica dioica supplementation on blood lipids, hepatic enzymes and nitric oxide levels in type 2 diabetic patients: A double blind, randomized clinical trial.
Effects of Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica L.,) on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Rat Model of Mammary Gland Cancer.
Chronic Inflammation
Plant extracts from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), an antirheumatic remedy, inhibit the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB.
Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain.
Ameliorative effects of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats.
Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis.
Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Efficacy of Supportive Therapy of Allergic Rhinitis by Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) root extract: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled, Clinical Trial.
Mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive properties of Urtica dioica.
Urtica Dioica Distillate Regenerates Pancreatic Beta Cells in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.
Insulin mimetics in Urtica dioica: structural and computational analyses of Urtica dioica extracts.
Improved glycemic control in patients with advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus taking Urtica dioica leaf extract: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Can Urtica dioica supplementation attenuate mercury intoxication in Wistar rats?
Exploring the Urtica dioica Leaves Hemostatic and Wound-Healing Potential.
The healing effect of nettle extract on second degree burn wounds.
URTICA DIOICA (STINGING NETTLE): A REVIEW OF ITS CHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL, TOXICOLOGICAL AND ETHNOMEDICAL PROPERTIES