Herbal remedies using Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Also known as nettle

The use of herbal remedies, including the herb stinging nettle (also known as nettle), classified as Urtica dioica, are popular as an alternative to standard Western allopathic medicine for a variety of problems, including relieving heavy menstrual bleeding, as a diuretic as well as shrinking an enlarged prostate.

Urtica dioica is an effective remedy for various ailments, and this natural holistic approach to health is becoming more and more popular, but should NOT replace conventional medicine or prescription drugs.

Urtica dioica

Stinging nettle is also known as Urtica dioica, and has certain therapeutic properties and the reported benefits of using it internally, in the form of a herbal tea (infusion) are listed below.

Stinging nettle is used for the following

Urtica dioica benefits:

• diuretic
• breaking down arthritis crystals and gout
• heavy menstrual bleeding
• anti-allergy and hay fever
• shrinking enlarged prostate
• hemorrhoids
• detoxifier
• increased breast milk production
• asthma
• skin complaints including eczema

Which part to use for stinging nettle herbal tea

The young shoots are used for making the brew.

Making herbal tea

The standard way to make an infusion, unless otherwise specified, is to pour a cup of boiling water over the material to be infused, let it stand for 5 minutes, strain it, and drink it.

• Fresh plant material
  • When the recipe refers to fresh plant material to be used, a 1/4 cup fresh material is used, following the method above.
• Dried material
  • When the recipe refers to using dried material, use 2 teaspoons of material when making it.
• Bark or seeds
  • Should the recipe call for bark or seeds to be used, use 2 teaspoons of seeds or 1 tablespoon of bark.
• Sweetening your infusion
  • You could sweeten your health drink with honey, should you so require, and a dash of fresh lemon juice may also enhance the taste.

General warning when using herbal infusions

• Only use the herbal material if you are 100% sure that it really the herb in question.
• If you are ill or have any health concerns, consult your health practitioner.
• Do not continuously drink the same infusion. At maximum use for 10 days and then skip 5 days.
• Only have one cup of herbal infusion per day, except during acute periods - such as when you have a cold or flu, you can then have it three times a day, but for a maximum of 4 days.
• When you use herbal remedies, be aware that they can be extremely powerful, and should you have any side effects when taking these infusions, immediately stop using the herb and consult your health practitioner right away.

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