The benefits and harms of nettle for the human body. Why do nettles bite? For musculoskeletal pathologies

The summer season has begun. And the townspeople, missing the land, rushed to prepare the soil for planting, loosen, weed, and remove weeds. But at the same time they mercilessly remove and nettle- very valuable plant V folk medicine and health cooking. We speak out in defense of such a useful “weed” again and again. After all, by destroying nettle shoots, we deprive ourselves richest source vitamins

Botanists today know two species nettle: stinging nettle and stinging nettle.

Stinging nettle- a perennial dioecious herbaceous plant, from 30 to 150 cm in height, with a long rhizome, erect stem and large palmate leaves covered with stinging hairs.

Stinging nettle- a monoecious annual herbaceous plant, from 15 to 60 cm high, with a branched stem and ovate-elliptical, sharp, incised-serrate leaves, covered with stinging hairs.

Both species grow nettle as a weed in dry and damp places near homes, along roadsides, in vacant lots and in forests. The areas of their distribution are the entire territory of Russia, with the exception of the Far North. Nettle blooms from mid-June to late autumn.

For food and medicinal purposes, plant leaves and roots with rhizomes are collected: leaves in June - August, roots - in late autumn.

Why is this burning weed so useful? Firstly, nettle can be used at home. Nettle leaves, which contain phytoncides that kill bacteria and repel flies, have the property of preserving perishable food products(experienced fishermen know that gutted fish, stuffed and lined with nettles, lasts a very long time).

Nettle is also a very valuable food for pets. Cows receiving nettles give more milk and best quality. Chickens' egg production increases.

But the main thing is the unique vitamin composition nettle. So, in its leaves ascorbic acid four times more than in lemons. In addition, nettle leaves contain carotene, K and B2 and pantothenic acid. So we can say that its leaves are a kind of multivitamin concentrate.

The healing properties of nettle have been used since ancient times. This plant has a diuretic, weak laxative, expectorant, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, “blood purifying”, hemostatic and wound healing effect. Nettle enhances the activity of the digestive glands and the secretion of milk in nursing women, increases the percentage of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells in the blood. There are indications that a decoction of the leaves can lower blood sugar.

Nettle infusion is used as an internal “blood purifier” that improves blood composition in the treatment of various skin diseases (lichen, acne, boils). A decoction of the leaves with barley flour is drunk for chest pain.

In a mixture with other herbs, nettle is used for pulmonary tuberculosis. Nettle leaves are included in various gastric, laxative and multivitamin preparations.

Water infusion nettle has long been used in folk medicine for hemorrhoidal, uterine, pulmonary and intestinal bleeding.

IN last years nettles began to be used in scientific medicine in the form of a liquid extract for uterine and intestinal bleeding. Clinical testing has shown that this drug does not cause harmful side effects. The liquid extract also has diuretic, antifever and anti-inflammatory effects. Nettle extract regulates menstruation and reduces blood loss from it. To increase blood clotting, it is recommended to use a mixture liquid extracts nettle and yarrow. The hemostatic effect of nettle is explained by the presence in it of a special antihemorrhagic vitamin K, as well as tannins.

A nettle broom in a bathhouse is very useful, especially when.

Decoction of rhizomes and roots nettle dioecious in folk medicine is used internally for furunculosis, hemorrhoids and legs, and an infusion of the roots is used as cardiac remedy. Sugared nettle rhizomes are also used for coughs.

An infusion of stinging nettle flowers in the form of tea is drunk for choking and coughing for expectoration and resorption of phlegm.

Nettle is not only an internal, but also an external hemostatic and wound healing agent. Infected wounds are cleared of pus more quickly and heal faster if they are sprinkled with powder nettle or apply fresh leaves to them. A decoction of the whole plant is used externally for washes and compresses for tumors. Dried and crushed leaves are used for nosebleeds, and fresh leaves destroy warts.

And, of course, we should remember that back in ancient times, nettle was used in folk medicine as a skin irritant (that is, a factor in reflex therapy).

An infusion of nettle inflorescences is used for rheumatism, kidney stones, and as a diuretic. A decoction of inflorescences is drunk for diabetes.

Nettle is very good at eliminating burning sensations. bladder and when urinating: boil 3 tablespoons of fresh nettle and a tablespoon of licorice roots for 10 minutes in a liter of water, cool and strain. Drink a third of a glass half an hour before meals 3 times a day for 5 days, then a 5-day break, and so carry out 3-4 courses of treatment.

A decoction of nettle seeds removes phlegm from the lungs, stops hemoptysis, expels mucus from the small intestine, abdominal cavity- liquid for dropsy.

A simple recipe for kidney cleansing: swallow 3g of seeds nettle 1 time per day.

If you mix nettle with salt, knead this mixture and apply it to dense tumors, then this paste will slowly dissolve any formations and cleanse purulent ulcers.

Nettle leaves mixed with help with shortness of breath.

Recipe for the elderly: pour 200g of fresh young nettle into 0.5l of vodka, tie the neck of the bottle with gauze. Keep it in the window for the first day, and then in the dark for 6 days. Take a teaspoon of tincture on an empty stomach half an hour before meals and at night before bed. One bottle per course. After treatment, a person feels more energetic, heart function and blood composition improve, blood levels decrease, and coordination of movements improves.

Leave a tablespoon of dried nettle leaves in a glass of boiling water for an hour, then strain. Wet your hair with the infusion after washing and lightly rub it into the scalp, do not wipe your head. Apply rubbing for several months, repeating them every week. Use for hair loss to strengthen and grow hair.

From the roots nettle you can prepare a tincture that should be rubbed on a patient with a cold: nettle roots and garlic, taken in equal parts, pour vodka in a ratio of one to five and leave for a week. The same infusion can be used as an antipyretic.

An infusion of nettle leaves can be used for obesity, as well as for diseases of absolutely everyone. internal organs, internal bleeding and skin diseases, both inside and outside. Brew a tablespoon of dry crushed nettle with a glass of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. Take a tablespoon orally 3 times a day.

Nettle seeds can easily replace any drugs to increase potency. To prepare a tincture of nettle seeds, take 20 g of dry nettle, pour in 0.5 liters of red grape wine, and leave for a week. Take a tablespoon 3 times a day.

You can enhance potency with the help of this drug: take one glass of red grape wine and a tablespoon of dry nettle. Mix all this, boil in a water bath for 30 minutes, strain the broth and take a tablespoon 3-4 times a day.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Nettles. It is common in Europe and Asia, Africa and Australia, and North America. It can be found in the CIS countries, India, China, Japan, the USA and Great Britain.

People call nettle simply: “ zhiguka», « Zhigilivka», « stinging», « zhigalka" The opinion of linguists about the etymology of the word is not clear. The first believe that the word " nettle" comes from Old Church Slavonic " kopriva" or " kropiva».

It is assumed that this name has common roots with the Serbo-Croatian name crap(boiling water) or Polish ukrop, and means " boiled water treated livestock feed" Others are sure that there is a lexical connection with the word “ coprina". That is, it is a plant for the production of tissue.

A large amount of vitamins and useful substances makes nettle one of the most used plants in official and folk medicine, dietetics and cosmetology.

Types of nettles

Today there are more than 50 varieties of nettle. In the CIS countries the most common are:

1. 1 Stinging nettle– medicinal plant, with big amount vitamins and beneficial microelements. This is a perennial plant with a height of 1.5–1.7 m. The stem and leaves are covered with sharp but fragile needles containing formic acid. That is why touching it is often accompanied by burns.
2. 2 Stinging nettle (monoecious) in its beneficial properties and appearance it is similar to the dioecious variety. However, it grows no more than 50 cm in height, and it is also annual.
3. 3 Yasnotka- white nettle or “dead” nettle is common on the edges of the forest zone. Unlike previous species, the claret has very attractive flowers. white, is an excellent honey plant. This type nettle does not have stinging needles. Dried nettle flowers are used to prepare medicinal teas and as a medicine in the treatment of allergies and gastrointestinal diseases.
4. 4 Hemp nettle usually grows in the steppe zone in the form of large thickets. This variety has dissected carved leaves and has burning hairs. Considered a weed, it grows along roadsides. Plant height is from 1.5 to 2.4 meters. The stem and root of hemp nettle are used for prevention and treatment malignant neoplasms.
5. 5 Nettle Kyiv In appearance it resembles stinging nettle. Its height, unlike the dioecious one, does not exceed 1.2 meters. Outside of Ukraine it grows in Western and of Eastern Europe, and also in Palestine. It is listed in the Red Books of the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions of the Russian Federation, as well as the Republic of Belarus. Nettle Kiev is strictly protected by the relevant environmental safety authorities in countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Despite its fairly wide distribution, stinging nettle is listed in the Red Books of regional significance, for example, in the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions of the Russian Federation. Nettle is strictly protected by the relevant environmental safety authorities in countries such as Belarus, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Appearance plants are approximately the same. If we describe nettles from a botanical point of view, we get the following characteristics:

• Stem: erect with grooves and hairs; length – from 15 to 35 cm.
• Leaves have a dark green color, a teardrop-shaped leaf with teeth, from 2 to 10 cm long;
• Flowers are solitary or in the form of inflorescences; staminate or pistillate. Typically the plant has from 6 to 12 stamens and a lower ovary.
• Fetus may look like a nut or a box containing nettle seeds.

There are annual and perennial species of nettle, monoecious and dioecious, medicinal and weedy, safe and even life-threatening ( Australian nettle).

Conditions for growing nettles

In order to grow nettles, it is necessary to provide it with optimal conditions, the main of which are:

• Fertile soil - not heavy, medium moisture soil, without sand and clay.
• A shady area, as the plant grows best in the absence of sunlight.
• Soil pH should be around 5.6.

For rapid growth plants, it is recommended to immerse nettle seeds in the soil by 1.5 cm. The sowing period is late autumn or early spring, since the planted seeds give their first shoots after a month, when the air temperature is at least +8°C.

It is important to sprinkle the sown surface with fertilizer: peat or humus.

It is advisable to maintain optimal soil moisture until the first sunrise appears. When thickening, the seedlings must be thinned out so that the young plants are 5 cm apart from each other. For normal height and plant development, the soil must be kept moist. But do not allow it to become waterlogged. Otherwise, the roots may rot.

Power circuit

Nettle lovers are common diurnal nettle butterflies ( Aglais urticae) from the family Nymphalidae. They feed mainly on the shoots of young plants.

Peacock butterfly caterpillars also prefer nettles to all other plants. Even the most common grasshoppers are happy to feast on nettles.

Useful properties of nettle

Chemical composition and presence of nutrients

* This is a short-term treatment of the plant with boiling water or steam in order to get rid of the pungency.

Nettle also contains phytoncides, sulfur, phenolic acids and tannins. Found in small quantities in the plant were: folic acid, choline (vitamin B4), beta-carotene, vitamin H, iodine and vitamin E.

In the stems and leaves of nettle discovered essential oil, sirotinin, porphyrin, pantothenic and phenolcarboxylic acids, flavonoids, glisodurgicin, histamine.

Nettle hairs filled with silicon, formic acid, and acetylcholine. contain linoleic acid and vitamin C. In the roots the alkaloid nicotine was found.

The large amount of vitamin C explains the strong preventive and strengthening effects of this plant on the human body.

Vitamin K relieves inflammation and improves blood clotting. Large amounts of B vitamins help fight certain diseases nervous system(Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, neurosis, etc.).

Calcium and phosphorus have a beneficial effect on the condition of bones and teeth. Potassium and magnesium take an active part in the full functioning of the cardiovascular system.

The sufficiently high iron content in nettles protects the body from iron deficiency anemia. Secretin promotes the formation of insulin and lowers blood sugar levels.

Nettle allows you to actively fight toxins and bacteria, as well as the effects of radiation and oxygen deficiency, thanks to organic acids, chlorophyll, and silicon.

What exactly is used and in what form?

Most often used for treatment nettle leaf, which is harvested in May-June. Nettles are collected during the waxing moon, when the plant has special powers. The cut branches of the plant are dried for 2-3 hours, then the leaves are torn off.

Lay out in a well-ventilated area in a layer of 3 to 5 cm and dry. In dryers, the leaves are dried at a temperature of 40-50°. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years.

Harvested from late autumn to early spring, flowers - in June-July, seeds - in the second half of August - September. For nettle juice, young leaves and stems of nettles are used before flowering.

Medicinal properties of nettle

Nettle has many healing properties. Among the main ones are: the ability to stop bleeding, diuretic and choleretic effects, relief of inflammatory processes, acceleration of restoration of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, normalization of menstruation, etc.

In the West, nettle is used to treat tumor diseases. Nettle has also been determined to have an expectorant effect and relieve convulsions.

Due to its high chlorophyll content, nettle helps the functioning of the female genital organs and intestines, and accelerates the regeneration of damaged areas of the body.

Some experiments have proven that nettle can normalize the level of hemoglobin in the blood, and also actively affects carbohydrate metabolism.

Since ancient times, it has been prescribed to women for infertility. Nettle has also found use as a cure for impotence. To do this, its seeds are mixed with a banana and consumed daily until libido is restored.

Fresh Juice from leaves and seeds of nettle help cope with osteomyelitis and dysfunction of food digestion, and are also used for an increased percentage of salts in the joints. Fresh juice is used to wipe ulcers from varicose veins, disinfect and heal diaper rash and affected tissue areas.

The diuretic properties of nettle are used for kidney stones, ascites, and rheumatism. In the treatment of arthritis, osteochondrosis, bruises, sprains, fractures, they are often used nettle oil.

Plant leaves used in many medicines, as well as in vitamin teas as a laxative or in tea for the stomach.

Tinctures and decoctions of leaves nettles are effective:

• for uterine, gastric, pulmonary, hemorrhoidal bleeding;
• diarrhea and dysentery;
• stomach pathologies;
• boils;
• with fever;

They are an excellent medicine for severe cough. Also decoction of rhizomes used in the form of compresses for diseases of the skin, oral mucosa, and sore throat.

Infusion of nettle inflorescences use:

• with nettle fever;
• for oncological diseases;
• for rheumatism;
• to remove kidney stones;
• as an expectorant or diuretic;
• for skin diseases.

Seed decoction used as an anthelmintic.

Nettle juice has a stimulating effect on metabolic processes, is used to improve food digestion, the functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, and effectively removes toxins.

The use of nettle in official medicine

« Prostaforton" And " Bazoton» - foreign-made preparations created on the basis of nettle roots and rhizomes have antitumor activity. " Urtiphylline» used to treat burns, used to heal wounds.

Extract from nettle leaves is part of the choleretic drug " Allohol" In addition, in pharmacies you can purchase crushed nettle in packs and filter bags for making medicinal tea.

In medical practice, nettle leaves and stems are also used to stop hemorrhoidal, pulmonary and gastrointestinal bleeding. IN official medicine Nettle is also used in the form of infusions and decoctions for kidney disease, stomach disease, and hypovitaminosis.

Nettle is the most valuable raw material for production chlorophyll. It has been proven that chlorophyll enhances metabolic processes and tones the body, especially the heart, blood vessels and respiratory organs. Chlorophyll is part of the medicine for hepatitis.

Use of nettle in folk medicine

In folk medicine, almost all parts of the plant are used.

Nettle leaves:

• to heal wounds - dry and grind to a powder, mix with pepper and petroleum jelly in equal parts. Apply the composition twice a day.
• circulatory failure – 2 tbsp. l. leaves + a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes. Drink a glass three times a day before meals.
• if often from the nose there's blood coming out– 1 tbsp. l. + glass hot water. Cook for 10 minutes, strain. Drink 1 tbsp. about 5 times a day.
• to get rid of gout and rheumatism - 1 tbsp. l. dry leaves + a glass of hot water, leave in a warm place for an hour. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day.
• to relieve pain - nettle leaves + buckthorn bark (in a ratio of 1 to 1). 8 gr. mixture + liter of hot water, soak in a water bath for 10 minutes, leave for half an hour. Drink a glass 4 times a day.
• for constant constipation - nettle leaves + yarrow + buckthorn (1 x 1 x 2). Pour 200 ml of hot water into a spoonful of the mixture and cook for a minute, leave for half an hour. Drink 1 glass before bed for 14 days in a row.
• to get rid of hemorrhoids – nettle leaves + oregano + buckthorn (1 x 1 x 1). 1 tbsp. The mixture is brewed in one and a half glasses of hot water and heated for 5 minutes. Leave for 4 hours. Take half a glass three times a day.

Nettle root:

• when coughing, cut into small pieces and boil them in sugar. Drink 10 g. several times a day.
• for diarrhea, fever, gastrointestinal pathologies, menstrual irregularities, use nettle tincture. For her take 2 tbsp. l. crushed nettle roots and mixed with 0.5 l. vodka, then leave for a week. Drink 30 drops three times a day.
• for radiculitis, joint pain, furunculosis - tincture. For her take 2 tbsp. l. in crushed form and mixed with 0.5 l. vodka, then leave for a week. Wipe painful or affected areas.

Fresh nettle juice:

• nettle for painful and heavy periods - drink 10 grams. per day during menstruation;
• for cervical erosion - moisten a tampon in nettle juice (at night for 2-3 weeks);
• for boils, acne or other rashes - take 1 tbsp. per day until recovery.

Nettle flowers:

• when coughing – a pinch + 2 tbsp. hot water, leave for 1 hour. Drink like tea.

Young leaves of the plant are used for salads, cabbage soup, and borscht. Sauces are prepared from the leaves of stinging nettle, they are fermented, salted, casseroles, cutlets, fillings for pies, dumplings are made from them, and all kinds of teas are prepared. Nettle is included in some wines, liqueurs, and beers.

The plant is widely used in dietetics as a means of helping to cleanse the body and reduce overall body weight. Nettle helps especially well if a person is gaining excess weight due to disturbances in intestinal function, and is also prone to the accumulation of toxins and waste. Fresh nettle salads help normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Since nettle has a strong diuretic effect, it is easy to remove excess liquid from the body, get rid of swelling and extra pounds.

Nettle teas help reduce appetite. To do this, nettle flowers are dried and tea is brewed from them. The calming effect of such teas is also important for general condition body. The antimicrobial properties of nettle are used to extend the shelf life of products.

Use of nettle in cosmetology

Nettle decoction can be used to cleanse facial skin from acne. Nettle infusions They are also used for furunculosis, rashes and other skin problems.

Nettle for hair is one of the most effective means of restoring and strengthening hair follicles.

Here are some folk remedies:

• To stimulate hair growth and shine - crushed leaves (100 g) + half a glass of vinegar + half a glass of water. Cook for half an hour. Rub into skin. Use twice - three times a week.
• For dandruff and baldness, prepare a nettle infusion (1 tablespoon of leaves + 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1.5 hours and strain). Use once a week.

Rinsing with nettle helps well in the fight against early gray hair, seborrheic disease and other hair problems.

Other uses

In floriculture Nettle infusion is used to fight aphids and to prevent powdery mildew.

Previously, this plant was actively used for weaving industry. Fiber was made from nettles, which was used for sewing sails, strong bags, sacks, etc. In the 19th century, the Khanty and Mansi made fabric and sewed clothes from nettles. In Japan, nettle strands were used to make samurai armor, clothing, and bow strings were often made from this fiber.

Today only in Yugoslavia is it preserved large industrial production of fabric from nettle - cheviot. On the territory of the CIS countries there are also a large number of small family-type enterprises engaged in the production of insoles, belts, nettle scarves and other wardrobe items.

The plant is widely used in pharmaceutical, food and perfume industries. You can often find strengthening agents in stores. Shampoo "Nettle".

In animal husbandry Nettle is added to the feed of domestic animals and poultry. And it is used to prepare vitamin flour, silage, briquettes, concentrates, granules, and used as green fodder in steamed form.

Unconventional uses of nettle

Since ancient times, nettle has been used as a talisman. It was believed that if you lay a nettle rug in front of the entrance to a house, evil would bypass the house. They believed that nettle leaves hidden under the insoles of shoes would protect their owner from dark forces.

Nettle leaves, placed in the corner of the children's room, helped the baby cope with all his fears, improved his sleep and health. Nettle branches were used to fumigate the room to remove the evil eye and damage. They used a nettle broom to sweep away all the evil spirits from the house.

It was believed that the nettle amulet could enhance the positive qualities of character - courage, initiative, honesty and perseverance, and protect the life of a warrior. A dry nettle leaf was used as an amulet. The main thing is that the future owner of the amulet collects the leaves himself.

Nettle is a legendary plant. There is a popular story that God gave nettles stinging hairs to treat people and animals with.

• Nettles are found in many works of folk art. Songs, proverbs and sayings, fairy tales, riddles, express the whole essence of this burning plant. In folk art, nettle is compared to a bee, wasp, boiling water, fire, etc. After all, the main distinctive property of nettle is “ burn, « sting», « prick».
• Interestingly, in ancient folk culture there is a song in which nettle is described as a talisman. The protective properties of nettle are also described in some fairy tales. For example, the heroine of Andersen's fairy tale " Wild Swans“To save the brothers from the spell, she wove them shirts from nettles.
• On the coat of arms of the ancient Russian village of Krapivna (Shchekinsky district, Tula region) you can see an image of this legendary plant. Since 2012, the annual “ Nettle Festival" Here everyone can try delicious dishes made from this amazing plant, purchase handmade items made from nettle fiber, and attend master classes.
• In 2004, the UK held a " National Nettle Respect Week" The goal is to popularize the beneficial properties of this plant.

Dangerous properties of nettle

When touching the stem, a person experiences a burning sensation and pain, thus a chemical burn from nettles may occur. Usually discomfort pass quickly, but in some cases can cause an allergic reaction.

A nettle burn usually does not pose a particularly great danger to humans, except for the burn of an exotic nettle tree Urtica ferox.

Contraindications to the use of nettle

Key points when using nettle as a medicinal drug is contraindicated:

• If a person has high blood clotting, consuming nettle will lead to the formation of blood clots. Therefore, the plant is contraindicated for varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis;
• in case of renal and heart failure;
• with individual intolerance and skin allergies. In this case, the nettle burn causes a lot of trouble and does not go away. for a long time;
• during pregnancy (especially recent months) – nettle can cause premature birth;
• for bleeding caused by polyps, cysts, tumors of the ovaries and uterus;
• at age spots on the skin and freckles (skin sensitivity to the effects of sun rays) .

Attention!

• It is not recommended to collect nettles near roads and garbage dumps. The plant absorbs a large amount of harmful substances;