Natural Paths
March 9, 2009          Herb of the Week
 NETTLES - Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) 
Roman Nettle (U. pilulifera)
 
Greetings!
Nettles are an incredible tonic herb, full of nutrition and medicinal properties. They contain formic acid, histamine, acetylchlorine, iron, silica, many minerals because they pull them from deep in the soil, glucoquinones, tannins, vitamin A and the water soluble vitamins B complex and C. They prevent scurvy (a vitamin C deficiency syndrome), clear uric acid from the body to relieve gout and arthritis and are astringent and can stop bleeding.
 
The histamine and formic acid cause the "sting" which is painful, so harvest Nettles with thick gloves and long sleeves. Dry the leaves thoroughly before use. Fresh Nettle stalks were used for "urtication" - flogging of paralyzed limbs to stimulate the nerves. It is more appropriate these days to infuse vegetable oil with Nettle leaf and rub it into the limbs.
 
Nettles are tonic and nutritious. They increase energy by adding needed minerals that enrich the blood. They are a circulatory stimulant, lower blood pressure and feed the skin, hair, nails and hooves. Nettles will put "dapples" on your horses' coats and will make your skin glow, your hair grow. The ointment is used for hemorrhoids.
 
The tea/infusion made from the dried Nettles tastes wonderful, doesn't need sweetening. It is a profound health tonic and helps clear the skin from within.
 
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Nettles have been used for centuries by many cultures. They truly prove than one man's weed is another man's medicine. Nettle leaf tea bags are easy to find in health food stores.
 
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We hope you enjoy this week's herbal information. Remember to introduce new herbs and foods gradually to your animal's diet. Most herbal infusions presented in our letters are safe for your dogs and horses (and you!), yet individuals can have allergies and intolerances. By practicing the herbalist's safety ways - a little bit at first - you can avoid most problems.
Learn more from the manuals at www.shop.naturalpaths.org
Sincerely,
Katharine Chrisley
Natural Paths
Natural Paths
P O Box 1882
Mesilla Park, New Mexico 88047