Tip of the Week -Nettle

This week’s tip is all about nettle- so forget it’s prickly reputation!

• Nettle is actually soothing for the skin and can ease painful joints.
• Nettle comes in many forms including tea, tinctures, tablets and capsules, as well as skin creams and ointments.
• The leaves taste like spinach and can be added to soups, as cooking the nettle leaves removes their sting.
• Nettle can help with many conditions including Arthritis and rheumatic conditions. The chemicals in nettle which cause stinging also produce an anti-inflammatory action within the body, reducing the pain of arthritis.
• Nettle also has pain killing properties.
  The diuretic effect of nettle helps reduce excess fluids in the body, lowering uric acid levels in the blood, preventing gout and certain types of kidney stones.
• Nettle can also be used for conditions such as eczema, as the astringent compounds in nettle reduce inflammation.
• Nettle leaves are also rich in iron and the presence of vitamin C helps the iron to be absorbed efficiently.
• Taken regularly, nettle may help treat anaemia and is useful when you’re run down.
• It can also help with allergic reactions and bladder irritation.

Regards

Emma Driskel