Nettle contraindications and side effects Nettle is a plant with great benefits, especially for combating hair loss, but it also has its contraindications and side effects. Get to know them below.
A perennial herb, nettle typically grows up to five feet (1.5 m) tall. Its leaves are lance-shaped, one to six inches (3 to 15 cm) long, and covered with tiny, stinging hairs. The nettle produces small green and yellow flowers that bloom in the summer.
The nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a member of the Urticaceae family, which contains about 2,600 species. Most species in this family have stinging hairs, and members are found on every continent apart from Antarctica.
Historic information The first documented uses of nettle date back to the Bronze Age, between 3,000 and 2,000 BC. From C., when it was used to create textile fabrics, such as burial covers, and clothing in Denmark. However, the first records of medicinal nettle applications appeared in ancient Egypt, and these applications were adopted by both the Greek Mycenaean civilization and the Roman Empire.
In the 16th century, the nettle was being used as an antidote for poison in England, and in the 19th century, it began to be marketed as diuretic and tonic.
Economic data Nettle is not commonly used outside of herbal remedies, so it is not considered an economically important plant. It has been produced commercially in the past, but is now mostly grown by individual gardeners for their own use. It is still cultivated and sold in medicinal preparations, but this use is not of much economic importance.
popular beliefs Nettles growing in North America were an important part of mythology for many Native American tribes. Nettles were often personified as clumsy tricksters that provided a note of humor to myths.
Nettles are also the subject of several different festivals and competitions. A festival in Switzerland hosts a series of restaurant dishes made with nettles, while another in Russia takes nettle as a theme for the association of the nettle with the love of life, vitality and strength. Marshwood, a town in England, has a competition to see who can eat the most raw nettles, a painful endeavor.
Other uses
Textiles. The fibers from nettle stems can be used to make textiles, and have historically been used to make clothing and other items such as fishing nets and ropes.
Colorant. Nettle has also been used to produce yellow or green dye.
Beer. Nettle leaves have also been used to ferment beer.
Despite the sharp sting of the nettle, it can be a very useful medicinal herb when handled with proper caution. For those who need relief from allergies, inflammation, or urinary problems, nettle is a valuable herbal remedy. Let’s see, below, the benefits and contraindications of nettle
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Health benefits of nettle
Nettle has been shown to be effective when used for:
Soothe allergies In its natural state, the nettle plant stimulates an allergic reaction when its fine hairs touch the skin. However, when brewed as a tea, nettles can help soothe allergies. A study published in 2017 in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research suggests that nettles may even help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
Treats muscle and joint pain. Due to its natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, nettles have been used for centuries to treat aches, joints and muscle stiffness. Nettles may help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and joint pain, typically in the hands, knees, hips, and spine, according to a review of research published in 2018 in the journal Molecules.
In the review, the researchers also found that nettles may work in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), allowing people to decrease their NSAID use. An anti-inflammatory diet can also reduce pain and keep inflammation in check. Be sure to have these diet staples to combat pain and inflammation.
strengthens the bones Nettle meals provide bone-fortifying calcium, magnesium and iron, according to research, including a study published in 2016 in Food Science & Nutrition. The plant also contains vitamins D and K, which help bones use calcium to protect bone density. Magnesium is stored in the bones, supports bone strength, and aids in the absorption of calcium. Low magnesium is linked to osteoporosis, a chronic condition of weak and brittle bones. Iron deficiency is also associated with bone loss.
Increases heart health. Nettles contain vitamins and minerals that are considered to protect the heart. The plant is a source of vitamins A and C, beta carotene and other carotenoids. Due to its high content of vitamin C and iron, which help the body to increase the production of red blood cells, it can help prevent anemia. Nettles also contain the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, which may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A source of iron and potassium, tea made from this spiky, leafy plant can help relax blood vessels and support healthy circulation.
Soothes skin irritations. Thanks to the plant’s antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving abilities, nettle has a long history of use to treat skin irritations such as eczema and acne. It seems to reduce redness and swelling, soothe itchiness, and speed healing. To get these skin-lightening benefits, you can drink the tea, or you can brew a cup, let it cool, and apply the liquid directly to your skin. However, there are reports of allergic skin reactions to topical nettle, so use only on a small area of skin first to ensure you don’t have skin sensitivity.
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how nettle works
Different parts of the nettle plant have different medicinal uses. Nettle leaves contain natural antihistamineswhich allow you to reduce symptoms caused by reactions allergic by inhibiting histamines (the cause of allergic reactions) in the body. The leaves also contain flavonoids, compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body.
Know the benefits of nettle tea for acne, kidneys and more
Nettle roots contain phenols, which are also anti-inflammatory and can reduce swelling both on the skin and inside. However, nettle root also appears to be responsible for improving urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate. The mechanism of this action is not yet fully understood, but the effect has been observed in studies.
Big plantain is an herb that also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, and saw palmetto is popularly used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
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Contraindications of nettle and its side effects
Nettle contraindications and side effects #1 It can cause some contraindications and mild side effects, such as stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, and diarrheaas well as possibly a rash if used topically. In this regard, an observational study of 4,087 BPH patients reported side effects (gastrointestinal problems, skin allergies, and two cases of hyperhidrosis) in 35 (SCHULZ; HÄNSEL; TYLER, 2002). .
Nettle contraindications and side effects #2 It is contraindicated in people with kidney failure or other kidney diseases (due to the silica present in its leaves). Use cautiously in people with gout or a history of uric acid kidney stones.
Nettle contraindications and side effects #3 Do not consume in case of pregnancy, especially in the first weeks, as it induces premature labor or abortion. Nettle is considered abortifacient and capable of affecting the menstrual cycle (animal studies have found uterine activity). Excessive use during lactation is not recommended (MILLS; BONE, 2000).
Nettle contraindications and side effects #4 Nettle may interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, diuretics, anticoagulants, diabetes, lithium, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin. The use of nettle is not recommended for people who are diabetic.
Nettle contraindications and side effects #5 Do not use nettle to treat an enlarged prostate without first seeing a doctor to rule out life-threatening underlying causes of the condition.
Nettle contraindications and side effects #6 Nettle is known to cause a painful sting when touched, as the chemicals contained in the fine hairs on the leaves and stem irritate human skin. Be careful when coming into contact with the plant in nature or in the garden. Soaking nettles in water or exposing them to heat helps remove their ability to sting.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the benefits and contraindications of nettle, you can ask them in the comments section that appears just below this article.
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