Physical Wellbeing - Why nettles are good for you

Green Witch

I'm writing this blog in my capacity as a Green Witch. FYI, a Green Witch is, by my definition, one who deals and heals with Mother Nature; nothing insane or arcane. By sharing this wisdom with you, you will be able to achieve physical wellbeing by healing yourself from some very common, persisting and frequently debilitating ailments, for FREE. The only thing then stopping you from manifesting improved health, will be your own laziness! Because nettles are good for you!

Nettle Love

The Holy Grail required to make this magic happen, comes in the form of my (almost) favourite plant on the entire planet, the common stinging nettle, or Urtica Dioica if you favour a Latin naming genus.

My personal challenge, is to keep this blog from developing into a Thesis, there is just so much to tell about this natural wonder!

Mistakenly Fallen from Grace

Personally, I find it hard to fathom why this gifted plant has fallen so far from grace, use and understanding in our common knowledge.

Not so the case in parts of Asia and Europe, where nettles are still widely put to good use.  

A Generous Giver

Nettles are ridiculously versatile, vastly beneficial for physical wellbeing and yet most of us pour scorn upon them, regarding them more of a hindrance than a help. But even just having nettles present in your garden, will increase the production of volatile oils (terpenes) in neighbouring plants and will attract beneficial insects. Nettles are good for every living things wellbeing.

As a bio-activator, nettles are an excellent addition to your compost pile and makes a fabulous fertiliser!

Nettles treat arthritis

Nettles have medicinal wellbeing provenance too,  Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used them for relieving arthritis and lumbago.

As did the Romans, thrashing themselves with bunches of nettles to warm themselves up and relieve arthritis. This intense practise is known as Urtification, and is still used today by those in the know.  Do you dare try it?

Nettles relieve rheumatic pain

Interestingly, in 2000 the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine confirmed that nettles are a safe and effective treatment for rheumatic pain. Sadly this is not an open, widely available information source. I'm pretty sure arthritis sufferers today aren't made aware of this harmless, ancient, effective, FREE treatment!!!

Nettles boost vitality

I frequently recommend nettles to customers, friends and family. Their usage treats a long list of common health complaints and boosts vitality.

When I make nettle tea, this is the easiest way to use them, it's drunk with relish and met with appreciation for its delicate flavour.

I regularly add nettles to stews, stir fries, sauces like Bolognese, (basically in anything I can get away with) and my kids ALWAYS comment on how delicious the food is. This is NOT a regular occurrence in my household!

Misplaced nettle resistance

But a weird, misplaced resistance exists, which stops my people doing it for themselves?! 

Insane, given that it involves merely stepping outside, picking a few young nettle heads, washing them (if you want), pouring boiling water on them (which kills all germs anyhow), steeping them for 10 minutes and then drinking. It really couldn't be any easier!

Nettle’s amazing properties

Prepare to be amazed by the colossal list of key vitamins, minerals, properties nettles provide....FOR FREE....and think of the money you can save!

• Acids: caffeic, ferulic, folacin (plant); linoleic, oleic and palmitic (seeds), formic, galic, acetic. (stinging hairs)

• Mucilage (plant)

• Lecithin (plant)

• Histamine (stinging hairs)

• Serotonin (stinging hairs) - who can get enough of that????

• Acetylcholine (stinging hairs)

• Tannins (plant, especially the root)

• Alcohols: glycerol (seed)

• Chlorophyll

• Vitamins: vitamin B ( Niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, choline) (leaves); Vitamin C(leaves); beta carotene; vitamin K

• Minerals: Nitrogen, potassium, iron, calcium, sulphur, magnesium, aluminium (leaves)

Nettle Protein Power

For all you fitness fanatics using protein powders, Nettle protein powder contains a high amount of protein (38%), crude fibre (9%), total ash (16.2%), calcium (0.17%), iron (0.23%), and relatively low in carbohydrate (37%).

As compared to barley and wheat flour, nettle protein powder has higher protein, crude fibre, fat, ash, calcium and iron, and is low in the glycemic index.

Again, compared to barley and wheat, nettle protein powder has higher levels of tannin, total polyphenol, antioxidant activity, carotenoids, and lower calorific value.

The bio-activities of these functional components may play an important role in arthritis, rheumatism, muscular paralysis, potentially cancer prevention, etc.

Why wouldn’t you use nettle protein powder for physical wellbeing?

Nettles treat rosaceae

Nettles contain prostaglandin inhibitors which have properties that support resistance to redness and irritation. If you suffer from Rosaceae, what's not to try? I can make you up a bespoke tea, if you are struggling to find nettles or even a face cream.

More about nettles for physical wellbeing

Other health benefits you should know about,  include nettle’s ability to detoxify the body, improve metabolic efficiency, boost immunity, increase circulation, improve energy levels, manage menstruation, minimise menopausal symptoms, heal skin conditions, protect kidney and gallbladder health, lower inflammation, increase muscle mass, regulate hormonal activity, prevent diabetes, lower blood pressure, soothe haemorrhoids, and improve respiratory conditions.

I recommend nettles

To my clients who suffer from allergies such as hay fever, asthma, bladder infections, anaemia, menopause, menstrual problems, lactation issues, arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, constipation, diarrhoea, acne, eczema, psoriasis, stress and just simply lack energy and vitality.

Nettles are easy to source

Healing through herbs is very en-vogue at the moment, the news is full of the beneficial medicinal properties contained within Marijuana.  In fact, originally Marijuana was placed into the same genus as the nettle due to the similarities in leaf type etc. What's great about nettles in comparison, is that they're indigenous, legal, everywhere and free!

You need nettles in your life

So people, there really is no valid reason for keeping your lives' nettle-free, sting your way to happiness and health! I have to say I am no longer bothered by their little stings, not that I seek them out, rather I am getting to enjoy them....especially on a Winter's day.

Medical safety precautions

If you're already taking medication, you must check with your doctor first to ensure there is no possible negative reactions, nettles are powerful. They can produce stomachic reactions if ingested in vast quantities, a cup a day will suffice.

Careful foraging

Plus, be careful where you pluck your nettles from, organic refuse equals large quantities of nitrates! I grow mine at home, that way I know they're not weed upon by passing dogs and free from harmful contaminants.

And finally, I take no legal responsibility for your onward journeying into the use of this magnificent plant.

Nettle Workshops & Talks

I give workshops and talks on nettles for those seeking deeper immersion into using nettles for physical wellbeing. You can either book my Wild Superfoods for Physical Wellbeing Workshop or let me know you just want to cover nettles.

Customer Reviews

As a local society interested in Nature, Ecology and the use of the countryside, we contacted Claire Ottewell and asked her to come along and talk to us about her interests as a Healer and Purveyor of Essential Oils working under the name of 'The Oily Witch'.

Our particular focus for us was Nettles and their properties and some general information about foraging in the wild and the benefits which could be gained.

Claire arrived well prepared with lots of information and facts and a preparation of Nettle Tea for sampling. The forty minutes of presentation was comprehensive and delivered in a friendly and engaging style, and she took questions both during and after the talk which helped the listeners through the subject and also satisfied their curiosity. Some general talk about health matters logically followed which was also interesting.

This was a fun way in which to hear about the subject, which could have been given in a technical and perhaps baffling way, but everyone agreed that Claire had been most informative in a most helpful and careful way sharing her knowledge to illustrate the subject. (William Coleman, Chair of Chailey Commons Society, 09/20) 

Read more on nettles

How amazing is this plant?!!! This site covers the medical benefits and dosage sizes well, click on this link, https://www.botanicalonline.com/medicinalsurticadioicaangles.htm

More info at https://www.marijuana.com/news/2016/09/grow-guide-stimulate-your-garden-with-stinging-nettle/

Check out https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/stinging-nettle.html