Nettle
The nettle (Urtica dioica) belongs to the Urticaceae family of plants and is very versatile and useful to man to care for and feed in a natural way. Rich in substances that are good for the body including folic acid and iron, nettle is used for cases of anemia, cystitis, diarrhea and arthritis.
Among the other substances present in this plant are:
- Flavonoids, substances that can protect capillaries and blood vessels;
- Minerals: calcium, nickel, potassium, phosphorus, iron, chloride, silicon, sodium, manganese, titanium, copper;
- Iron, which is why it is a plant widely used in plant diets;
- Proteins;
- Vitamin B1, B2, B6, C, D, K;
- Pantothenic acid and folic acid.
The plant also has a strong ability to alkalize the blood and facilitate the elimination of acidic residues of metabolism.
Among the different properties of nettle there is the vasoconstrictor, or the ability to contract blood vessels and the hemostatic one, or to stop bleeding.
For external use it has an emollient effect, thanks to which it is used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases, especially in case of eczema, rashes and against acne, cleanses, regenerates and makes the skin more beautiful.
Nettle: Preparation
Given the properties of the herb, we explain simple steps to prepare an excellent herbal tea.
It is recommended to carefully select the most tender leaves, usually in the flowering period (June-July-August). There are two types of nettle equally valid for preparing herbal tea: urtica urens, which has rounder, lighter leaves and is lower, and urtica dioica, which has sharper leaves and is taller and darker.
Nettle leaves can be used both fresh and dried.
In the first case, to prepare a fresh nettle herbal tea, just fill a cup with boiling water, leave the leaves in it to rest for five minutes and if desired, sweeten with honey.
In the second case, instead, a couple of teaspoons of dried nettle herbs are used in infusion with boiling water for about ten minutes. Not boiling nettle is important, to prevent the plant from losing some of its fantastic healing properties.
Both solutions are great for tasting a good nettle tisata!