What is Nettle Good for?

Nettle leaves, roots and seeds contain important components for health. It is rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds, vitamins (C, K) and minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium). It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. Nettle is used as a medicinal and nutritional supplement. Nettle benefits show immune system supporting and blood sugar regulating effects.

What is Nettle?

Nettle (Urtica) is a hairy plant belonging to the nettle family (Urticaceae). Nettle has oppositely arranged, toothed leaves. Nettle, which has small, greenish flowers, blooms in the summer months and usually grows in clusters. Nettle, which grows in moist and nitrogen-rich soils, has various medicinal properties.

It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. Nettle causes redness and itching when it comes into contact with the skin. Therefore, it is risky to touch it with bare hands when collecting nettle. Glove collection and examination protects the skin from irritation. Nettle is among the plants that support digestive health with its fibrous structure.

What are the benefits of nettle?

• It strengthens the immune system.
• It helps the body to be cleansed from toxins.
• It relieves muscle and joint pain.
• It nourishes and revitalizes hair roots.
• It reduces hair loss.
• It protects the oil balance of the skin and cleanses it from acne.
• It regulates kidney functions.
• It helps in the formation of red blood cells.
• It protects oral health and prevents gum diseases.
• It strengthens the bone structure.
• It is good for upper respiratory tract diseases.
• It relieves the effects of gout disease.
• It reduces inflammation.
• It balances blood sugar.
• It delays the signs of aging and gives the skin a youthful appearance.

Strengthens the Immune System

Nettle is a plant rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, flavonoids and carotenoids. These beneficial compounds in its structure fight free radicals. It strengthens the immune system and makes the body resistant to diseases. Increasing body resistance is among the benefits of nettle.

Helps the Body Cleanse from Toxins

Nettle has diuretic effects. It cleanses the body through urine output. It facilitates the excretion of toxic substances through urine. It helps cleanse the body by showing an antioxidant effect. With the benefits of nettle, the body begins to cleanse itself of toxins.

Relieves Muscle and Joint Pain

Nettle has anti-inflammatory effects. It can relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can help relieve muscle and joint pain after exercise.

Nourishes and Revitalizes Hair Roots

Nettle, which contains vitamins A, C, K , iron, zinc and silica in its structure , has the necessary components to protect hair health. The components in its content help the hair to look lively and healthy.

Reduces Hair Loss

Nettle prevents testosterone from converting to its derivative called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This feature can slow down hair loss. It stimulates and nourishes hair follicles. Nettle, DHT, suppresses androgenetic alopecia, known as male pattern baldness, and can prevent hair loss.

Protects the Skin’s Oil Balance and Cleanses Acne

The components in the structure of nettle regulate the oil balance of the skin. Nettle, which has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, accelerates the cleansing of the skin from oil. By maintaining the oil balance, it cleans the pores where acne occurs.

Regulates Kidney Functioning

Nettle, which has a diuretic effect, is a plant that helps the kidneys filter toxins faster. It ensures that toxins in the kidneys are removed through urine output. It helps the body regain health in cases of urinary tract infection, kidney stones and sand formation.

Helps Red Blood Cell Formation

Nettle is a plant that helps treat anemia. The iron, folate and vitamin B12 in its structure accelerate the formation of red blood cells. It supports hemoglobin synthesis in people with anemia. It helps blood values ​​reach ideal levels.

Protects Oral Health and Prevents Gum Diseases

Nettle is an antibacterial plant. It prevents the formation of bacteria in the mouth and facilitates the removal and cleaning of existing bacteria. It accelerates the healing process of oral wounds such as canker sores and cold sores.

Strengthens Bone Structure

Nettle contains calcium, magnesium, silica and boron. These minerals increase bone density. It can slow down osteoporosis with age.

Good for Upper Respiratory Tract Diseases

Fresh nettle benefits include its ability to heal upper respiratory tract diseases. Nettle, which has mucus-releasing and immune-supporting properties, can clear the sinus tract in seasonal and upper respiratory tract diseases.

Alleviates the Effects of Gout

Nettle lowers uric acid levels in gout. It relieves joint pain and inflammation in bones caused by this disease. Preventing muscle and joint disorders caused by gout is among the benefits of nettle.

Reduces Inflammation

The components in the nettle suppress the production of proinflammatory cytokines. With this feature, inflammation in the body can be healed. It prevents chronic inflammation. Nettle can help heal rheumatic diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Balances Blood Sugar

Nettle helps balance blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. The polyphenols and flavonoids in the structure of nettle increase insulin sensitivity.

Delays Signs of Aging, Gives Skin a Youthful Appearance

Nettle is one of the plants that protect skin health. It contributes to the healing of skin damage. Rich in antioxidant minerals, nettle accelerates the renewal of skin cells.

Nutritional Values ​​of Nettle

Nettle is a nutritious and beneficial plant. 70 grams of cooked nettle contains an average of 30 calories. The nutritional value of 100 grams of cooked nettle is expressed as follows:

• Carbohydrates: 7.49g
• Protein: 2.71g
• Fat: 0.11g
• Fiber: 6.9g
• Sodium: 4mg
• Potassium: 334 mg
• Calcium: 481 mg
• Vitamin A: 2011 iu
• Iron: 1.64

In addition, nettle is a plant rich in minerals. It contains linolenic acid, quercetin, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

How to Use Nettle?

Nettle can be used in fresh, dried and cooked forms. You can dry nettle from reliable sources. Fresh nettle can be added to meals. Dried nettle can be consumed as tea.

Use in Foods

• You can cook nettle and add it to meals, soups and salads.
• You can prepare salads and appetizers by finely chopping the thoroughly cleaned raw nettle.
• Dried and ground nettle can be added as a spice to soups and stews.

Use of Tea

• You can brew dry or fresh nettle in hot water and strain the brewed tea and drink it.
• You can be careful to prepare it fresh for each drink.

Personal Care

• You can use fresh nettle juice as a hair tonic and skin tonic.
• You can add boiled and cooled nettle to your personal hair and skin care by keeping it in a spray bottle.

Some people may be sensitive to nettle or its ingredients.

Consult a health professional before consumption.

Nettle Harms and Side Effects

The leaves of the nettle plant contain stinging hairs. It can damage the skin when in direct contact with the skin. The harms of nettle can be listed as follows:

• Nettle in contact with sensitive skin may cause redness and itching.
• In rare cases, skin rash and blistering may occur.
• Consumption of fresh and dried nettle may cause nausea and vomiting in rare cases.
• Nettle can interact with blood pressure and blood thinning medications, and in some cases it can cause side effects and pose a risk.
• It should be used after consulting a doctor during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• People with chronic kidney disease should consult a doctor before consuming nettle.
• In cases of low blood sugar, stinging nettle can lower blood sugar and cause conditions such as fainting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nettle Benefits

What Diseases Is Nettle Good For?

• It can strengthen immunity.
• It can open the respiratory tract.
• It may be good for infection.
• It can reduce hair loss.
• It can prevent acne from occurring.
• It can be good for muscle and joint pain.
• It can be good for oral diseases.
• It can strengthen the sense of sight.
• It can alleviate the effects of gout and prostate.

Who Cannot Use and Who Should Not Eat Nettle?

• People on chronic medication who want to consume nettle in fresh or dried form may experience side effects.
• Nettle is not suitable for people using blood thinners.
• Consumption by women who are pregnant or suspect they are pregnant, and breastfeeding mothers may have risky consequences.
• Chronic kidney disease patients should also consult a doctor before consuming nettle.

How to Use Dried Nettle?

You can use nettle in dry form as tea or spice. You can grind it into a spice and add it to meals. If you want to consume nettle tea, you can follow these steps:

• Pour 1 teaspoon of dried nettle into the coffee pot.
• Add 1 glass of water to the coffee pot.
• Boil the tea on low heat for approximately 10 minutes.
• Transfer the boiling nettle tea into a glass using a strainer.

Does Nettle Increase Blood Pressure?

Nettle is a plant that has effects on blood pressure. It can interact with medications used by chronic blood pressure patients. Therefore, the doctor who monitors the medication should be consulted.

For the most accurate information and healthy results, get support from a specialist doctor. The information in our content is not a prescription. We wish you healthy days.