2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
To touch it accidentally while weeding or walking around the garden is not very pleasant. However, this stinging and obstinate herb can be very helpful. What properties of nettle you did not know about yet?
It is not for nothing that nettle is considered one of the most vicious and stubborn weeds in the garden - it can grow rapidly, occupying a large area and suppressing the growth of cultivated plants. But unlike other weeds, nettle has undeniable medicinal properties, it can be useful in the kitchen, dressing table and even in the garden.
1. A storehouse of useful substances
Nettle contains vitamins A, B2, C, D, K in large quantities, as well as many nutrients: antioxidants, amino acids, chlorophyll. It contains useful minerals: calcium, potassium, iodine, manganese and iron.
Thanks to this beneficial composition, nettle is often used for medicinal purposes, including for problems with urination, kidney stones, joint diseases and other diseases.
2. Medicinal properties of nettle
In addition to the above merits, nettles are credited with many more healing properties, namely:
* Nettle has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antirheumatic, anticonvulsant, antihistamine, astringent and antihypertensive properties.
* Infusions and decoctions of nettle treat anemia and fatigue, since it contains iron and chlorophyll.
* Internal and external use of nettle remedies are indicated for the relief of arthritis and joint pain.
* The plant is useful for diseases of the prostate gland, hay fever and allergies.
* Decoction of nettle is an effective hemostatic agent.
3. How to collect nettles?
Nettle tends to "sting", so it must be collected very carefully and with tight gloves. The stems and lower parts of the leaves contain histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin and formic acid, which, when touched, are mini-injected with these corrosive substances, which leads to soreness and inflammation of the skin. You can help with this by rinsing and lotions with baking soda and water.
4. The use of nettle for food
Nettle leaves can be used to prepare a variety of delicious and healthy dishes. To kill stinging hairs, you need to douse the nettle with boiling water or steam it. Nettle is used to prepare thousands of dishes from different national cuisines. Here are some ideas:
* marinade for meat dishes, pasta;
* summer vitamin soup along with potatoes, leeks and other vegetables;
* cutlets from millet and nettle;
* traditional Korean cuisine;
* Greek salted dough with chopped spinach, feta cheese, onions and dill;
* Mediterranean dishes with parsley, tarragon, onions, garlic, white wine and other spices;
* pasta seasoned with nettle vitamin paste;
* potatoes with nettle and other spices;
* cakes with garlic cream, sour cream, herbs, nettles and cheese;
* spring salad with herbs, nettles and vegetables;
* green vitamin cocktails with vegetables and herbs;
* healing nettle tea.
* beer made from nettle, sugar, lemons, tartar sauce and brewer's yeast.
5. The use of nettle in home cosmetics
Not only can nettle help heal aching joints, but it can also make skin and hair glow. The oil obtained from dry nettle leaves is included in many medicinal and cosmetic products. It is used for rheumatic pains, arthritis and osteoporosis. With the help of nettle products, abrasions, burns, eczema and other skin diseases heal faster.
Nettle stimulates hair growth and reduces oiliness, therefore it is an ideal component for shampoos. It is recommended to rinse your hair with an aqueous infusion of nettle. It strengthens the hair, making it silky and shiny.
Powder from dried nettle leaves with essential oils has a fresh and clean scent, antiseptic properties that help fight wrinkles, oily skin, itching and acne. Nettle oil is added to body massage base oils to relieve pain, nourish the skin and accelerate the healing of many skin conditions.
6. Use of nettles for animals
Nettle improves the digestion of dogs, makes them more energetic. If you treat dog hair with an aqueous infusion of nettle, it will less provoke allergies in humans. Chopped nettle added to the dog's food will replenish the animal's body with vitamins and useful microelements.
7. Using nettles in the garden
Nettle can be used as a liquid fertilizer for fruits, vegetables and flowers, due to the presence of various beneficial minerals in it - nitrogen, iron, potassium, copper, zinc, calcium and many others. For the preparation of the infusion, it is better to use a wooden or plastic container. It is advisable to infuse nettle for at least 2 weeks.
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