Nettle tea: useful properties and contraindications

Probably everyone knows nettles, which grow in the vegetable garden, in the woods, in the fields and is considered a weed. But few people know that the leaves of such a plant are characterized by various useful properties and are used in phytotherapy in combination with other means to treat many diseases.

Useful components of nettle tea are due to the presence of a large number of biologically active elements, which are originally contained in the plant itself. For example, in the process of heat treatment of nettle leaves, substances that can reduce the pain syndrome in certain diseases are released. And the amino acids in herbs have a beneficial effect on protein metabolism, which occurs in the body.

Composition and calories

Nettle contains a large amount of water, almost 85%, in addition, the plant consists of fat, fiber, proteins and carbohydrates. Also the medicinal herb is characterized by a rich vitamin composition. Many members of the B vitamin group are found in it. Among them are thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid. Of the trace elements, the plant is enriched with manganese, zinc, iron, copper and selenium. Macronutrients are represented by chlorine, magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

Nettle stem and leaves contain phytoncides, essential oil, and starch. The stinging hairs that cover the leaves of the plant are enriched with formic acid and other nitrogen-containing acids, resulting in nettle burns.

The seeds of the herb are rich in ascorbic acid and fatty oil, which includes linoleic acid. The roots are also high in vitamin C and nicotine derivatives.

Nettle is considered a dietary supplement. The lycoside urticin, which is present in the herb, is a natural pacemaker. Also found in the plant are vitamins E, K, PP, carotenoids, chlorophyll and some acids.

The caloric value of nettles is quite small - only 42 kcal per 100 grams of the plant. Due to the content of proteins in the herb, the nutritional value of the product increases (at the same level as legumes). It is no secret that grass was used as a food by our ancestors. But to date, the relevance of its use in the preparation of soups and various other dishes has not decreased.

Useful properties of nettle tea

General benefits

It is characteristic of the nettle for its anti-inflammatory, styptic effect. With the help of this plant, you can increase the tone of the smooth muscles in the uterine cavity, raise the level of hemoglobin and increase the number of red blood cells in the blood. Nettle is used in the treatment of anemia, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, various bleeding disorders, diseases of the bladder, liver. It is also used for liver abnormalities and disorders of substance metabolism, serves as a prophylactic of atherosclerosis and avitaminosis. Preparations for external use, made with nettle, have a bactericidal effect. The use of such a remedy for tissue damage stimulates the regeneration process. Also the plant is effective in the treatment of varicose ulcers.

In folk medicine, there are many recipes for making medicines that have wound-healing, laxative, diuretic, expectorant, anticonvulsant effects. Constipation, edema, bleeding, bronchial asthma, allergies, liver and kidney disease - all can be treated with this herb. Crushed dry nettle leaves are used to obtain infusions, lotions, which prevent the process of hair loss, and also help to get rid of furunculosis and other skin diseases.

For women

For the female body, nettle is used as a drug that can normalize the cycle. This is ensured due to the content in the plant of the original substrate phytoncides, which when entering from the blood on the mucosa of the genital organs inhibit the reproduction of pathogens, leading to a disruption of the normal natural cycle. It is also known that the plant has a positive effect on the function of the ovaries, which leads to the normalization of the hormonal background.

Another useful property of nettle tea for women is its effectiveness when it is necessary to get rid of extra pounds. Especially good results are observed in combination with a diet that implies a low content of fast carbohydrates and fats and a high content of protein. Most nutritionists recommend to use this drink in the case when excess weight appeared due to endocrine gland dysfunction.

It should be remembered that nettle tea can not be an independent medicine, the drink can be used to treat diseases only in conjunction with medications. To get recommendations regarding the use of such tea, you should consult a doctor.

The benefits of nettle leaf tea also lies in the fact that when it is consumed, there is resistance of the nervous system to stressful situations. This is due to the presence of a large amount of B vitamins in dried nettle leaves.

For men

Nettle drink leads to an increase in testosterone levels in the male body. This is due to the high content of many amino acids, which are the components of protein molecules in the human body. As a result, spermatogenesis improves and the process of gaining muscle mass becomes easier. In addition, tea from the leaves of the herb helps to increase potency.

Most men who regularly take this tea have noted that it normalizes the digestive tract, improves the condition or disappears altogether pathology of the urogenital area, normalizes the work of the musculoskeletal system. Some traumatologists even recommend using this tea to accelerate the healing process of fractures and ligament injuries.

Due to the presence of biologically active elements in nettles, the plant helps to prevent hair loss in men and restore normal hair growth.

Also nettle-based tea can be a great alternative to traditional drinks. Therefore, if for any reason the usual tea is not consumed by a man, you can freely replace it with nettle tea.

When pregnant

Although this herb has a lot of useful properties, it is forbidden to use in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is strictly forbidden to drink nettle tea or infusion before 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is due to the fact that nettles can lead to spasms of blood vessels and smooth muscles. That is, it may cause a miscarriage. It is also forbidden to use this plant for uterine bleeding.

If it is a question of external use, then there are no restrictions in this case. Nettle strengthens the hair. Since ancient times, after washing the hair, women used decoctions and tinctures of nettle to rinse the hair. Since in the early stages of pregnancy women often experience hair loss, they can use this method to solve the problem.

The second and third trimester are characterized by the development of anemia. And during this period, the expectant mother can use a remedy based on nettle. If there are no complications during pregnancy, there are no contraindications to the use of nettle tea. This drink will help improve digestion and metabolism, increase hemoglobin, as well as cleanse the body of toxins.

To make such a tea, you need several tablespoons of dried raw materials, pour two glasses of boiling water and insist for half an hour. After this time, the liquid should be strained, it can be consumed both warm and cold. It is important to observe the norm.

When breastfeeding

Tea from nettle leaves during lactation is recommended to use if the woman does not have enough milk to feed the baby, there is a heavy menstruation, iron deficiency, as well as in the presence of inflammatory diseases and avitaminosis.

Nettle helps to restore a woman's body after childbirth, improve her well-being and return to its former shape. In addition to the benefits for the body, there are effective benefits for lactation - the product promotes the production of breast milk. It is recommended to start drinking nettle tea in the second trimester.

The use of nettles during breastfeeding provides milk with important micronutrients, especially iron. This is a prevention of iron deficiency anemia in both mother and baby.

In addition to increasing the volume of breast milk, it also improves its quality due to the content of useful fats and protein. This plant is characterized by a tonic, tonic, wound-healing effect.

Nettle tea helps to get rid of stress, cope with insomnia and fatigue due to its beneficial properties. The drink improves metabolism, restores normal menstrual cycle, strengthens blood vessels and increases immunity.

To increase lactation, take the medicine half an hour before feeding the baby. This time is enough to ensure that the useful substances from the plant are absorbed by the body and get into the milk.

For kids

For the children's body, nettle tea serves as an immunomodulator. The drink increases the body's resistance to various viruses and infections. With a cold, such a remedy will help to get rid of coughs, eliminate inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. With regular use of this healing infusion, the child's body is enriched with iron and various vitamins, which will strengthen the health of the baby and protect against the occurrence of anemia.

Use nettle leaf tea in childhood is possible if the child is not allergic to the plant. Otherwise it is possible to harm the still immature body.

When losing weight

Burning weed is also used for weight loss. Due to the large list of useful components, the plant is able to cleanse the body of excess fluid, remove toxins and remove unwanted pounds.

Nettle-based drink is a diuretic and choleretic remedy. So, nettle can rid the body of excess water, and at the same time cleanse it of toxins. This leads not only to a strengthening of the protective shell, but also to the reduction of centimeters on the waist.

In addition, nettle has the ability to normalize metabolism, improve intestinal function and lower blood glucose levels. The mild laxative effect of the remedy helps to empty the bowels in time.

Nettle leaves contribute to suppressing hunger. Also the plant relaxes the nervous system.

Nettle tea in medicine

1. A tea based on nettle seeds is used to treat coughs and insomnia. For this purpose, 5 tablespoons of seeds should be boiled in a glass of water for about 10 minutes. After that, the liquid should insist for about an hour, after which it should be strained and a little honey or sugar should be added to improve the taste.
2. In the case of vitamin deficiency, you can prepare a tea using 4 spoons of dried raw materials of the plant. Dried leaves should be poured over a liter of boiling water and cover the pot with a towel. In this state, the liquid should insist for two hours, after which it should be strained. Use such a drink should be 4-5 times a day for 50-60 ml, take such a remedy should be 40 minutes before a meal.
3. To eliminate allergic rashes, hives and eczema, you should pour a tablespoon of flowers of the plant in 250 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid and wrap with a towel. Ready-made remedy should be drunk five times a day for half a cup.
4. To improve the well-being of the stroke you will also need to prepare a tea using two tablespoons of nettles. Raw material should be boiled in a liter of water for about 10 minutes. The liquid should insist for 8-12 hours. The remedy should be taken by half a glass three times a day.
5. To purify the blood when intoxicated you can use an infusion, which requires 10 g of dried roots and leaves of the herb to pour 200 ml of boiling water and infuse for 60 minutes. Nettle tea take 0.5 cup before meals.
6. To cure stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, you must take 250 ml of hot liquid per teaspoon of dried raw materials and insist 30-40 minutes. Consume the drink in small sips.
7. If you pour 7 grams of dry milled nettle raw materials with a glass of boiling water and infused for half an hour, you get a cure for anemia. It should be taken by one tablespoon three times a day.
8. As already mentioned, nettle tea stimulates the functioning of the nervous system. To prepare such a drink, you should wash and dry the young plants, chop them finely and place them in a jar. After that, cooled boiled water should be poured into the container and covered with a layer of gauze. The mass should infuse at room temperature for 10 hours. Ready to use 100 ml 2-3 times a day.

The harm and contraindications

The harm of nettles is associated with its stinginess. That is, when the skin comes into contact with nettles, there are burns on the skin, which are eliminated by the use of antihistamines. You can also get rid of such burns with a compress using a solution of apple cider vinegar and water.

Contraindications to the use of nettle raw material tea are diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, cysts or polyps in the uterus. It is also forbidden to use the plant at the beginning of pregnancy.

It is not recommended to use nettle tea in a hot period, because due to the diuretic effect it can cause dehydration of the body. In the presence of serious diseases, the plant can only harm the body. Therefore, before using remedies based on nettles, it is important to consult with a specialist.

When to collect and how to dry nettles for tea

The best time for gathering nettles - the period from mid- to late autumn, since it is this moment characterized by the presence of the greatest number of useful substances in the leaves of the grass.

When collecting it is important to cut those leaves that are not damaged by fungal diseases. To make sure this is the case, you should carefully examine the leaves you pick. They should not have cobwebs, parasite larvae, as well as black spots. It is not recommended to collect the raw material in places where there are nearby industrial facilities, highways, fields that are treated with pesticides.

Drying leaves is as follows: the cut leaves are placed in an even layer on a bed of newspaper, then the raw material is removed to a place protected from the sun, as sunlight destroys the useful components of the primary raw material.

Drying leaves for 1-1.5 months. Dried plants are gathered in a pile and mashed. Grind the leaves are not necessary. Dried raw materials should be stored in a dark place protected from moisture.

How to brew nettle tea: recipes

Nettle tea is a proven folk remedy. In the summer period, the drink can be prepared from fresh raw materials, but in winter you can use dried leaves of the herb. There are several ways of making such a useful tea, and each of them has a particular effectiveness.

Herbal infusion based on nettles is a medicinal remedy. Such a liquid should not replace tea and coffee, and it is also recommended to use it without added sugar. Drink such a remedy three times a day for 20-30 minutes before a meal. The course of treatment depends on the disease and can be long, but in this case you should take the minimum doses.

If you need to restore strength after hard work or to replenish vitamins after a long winter, you should brew a nettle drink and use it, following the instructions. Tea with this plant can be combined with rose hips, various berries and other herbs. However, before starting the treatment with nettle tea, you should consult a doctor and make sure that there are no contraindications.

Fresh nettles

To prepare nettle tea from the fresh plant, you should first prepare it. To do this, the young stems and leaves of nettles should be rinsed under water and put in a saucepan. The pot should be filled with water and put on the fire, and then bring to a boil. After that, boil the drink on low heat for about 15 minutes, then remove from the fire and strain.

From dried leaves.

To ensure that all the minerals and vitamins are released more quickly from dried nettles, you can use the following method. Pour three tablespoons of dried raw materials in 0.5 l of boiling water and cover the pot with a lid. Raw should insist 10-15 minutes, after which it must be filtered.

With the addition of rose hips.

The combination of nettle and rose hips in a tea strengthens the immune system. To prepare such a drink, you need to take three spoons each of nettles and rose hips and pour boiling water over them. After that, a container with medicinal herbs should be put on the fire and bring the mass to a boil. Then the pot should be removed from the stove and insist for several hours.

Interesting facts about nettles

1. Nettles are a favorite delicacy of certain species of butterflies.
2. Nettle needles contain formic acid, which causes the plant to sting.
3. Young leaves of the herb are added to borsches and soups and used in the preparation of salads.
4. Nettle leaves can be used to store perishable products.
5. In the food industry, this plant is used to obtain a natural green dye.
6. In England, the herb is used to make wine. About 40 kg of nettle leaves are needed to obtain 3,000 liters of drink.

Photo of nettle tea