Nettle

aka Stinging Nettle

urtica dioica

capsules/extract/bulk

leaf/root
A well known folk remedy for hay fever and other allergies. Nettle, a.k.a. StingingNettle Nettle, helps relieve inflammation caused by allergic reactions and clears congestion in the nose and chest.

Andrew Weil, MD, well-known author of numerous books on natural health and healing, recommends Nettle as an effective and safe treatment for hay fever symptoms. (When dried or cooked, nettles lose their sting.) Laboratory studies have also documented the effectiveness of this treatment.

Capsules containing freeze-dried extract of the leaves are recommended by Dr. Weil as the best form to use for hay fever, at a dosage rate of one or two capsules every two to four hours as needed to control symptoms.

An excellent source of the minerals iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, silica and of vitamins A, C, & D. Medicinally nettles are diuretic, astringent, tonic, antispasmodic for the respiratory tissues, galactagogue (stimulate milk secretion), and hemostatic (stop internal & external bleeding especially in the lungs, stomach, vagina). Nettles are part of any formula for anemia and other deficiency states, for excess menstrual flow, and are useful for gently cleansing the blood, lymphatics, and organs. By their action of dispelling mucus from the lungs and stomach, Nettles are useful in arthritis, asthma, chronic skin conditions and are also antihistamine which helps reduce the allergic response to environmental allergens such as the runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. Topically, the fresh leaves have traditionally been rubbed on arthritic joints as a counter-irritant to bring blood flow to the sore joints and Nettles are useful as an ingredient in salves for chronic skin complaints such as eczema.

Do not use if you are pregnant or have kidney disease without first checking with a qualified physician.