Nettle is an extremely therapeutic herb with many medicinal properties. Nettle is a very common plant of the Greek countryside.
Nettle leaves can be used in food, in salads, in greens, soups, pies, beverages and have multiple benefits for the body. Generally nettle can replace spinach. Nettle can be boiled with oil and lemon, we can make delicious nettle pies. Finally, the nettles are very tasty if eaten with a little butter omelette.
The nettle is rich in minerals: calcium, copper, chlorine, potassium, silicon, sodium, iron. Nettle has astringent, diuretic and tonic properties, cleanses the body of toxins, controls bleeding, increases hemoglobin, controls red blood cells and gums. It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic activity. It helps relieve kidney stones and bile, for cystitis and nocturnal enuresis. It has antihistamine activity and is thus valuable to allergy sufferers. It suppresses inflammation and fights germs. Used externally in wounds and abrasions. It can be used to fight scabies.
The whole plant is covered with glandular hairs that, when they come in contact with the skin, cause itching, often intense, tingling and redness as a mosquito bite, while less common allergic disorders. This is due to a poisonous liquid, which contains the plant’s fine needles, which contain formic acid, acetylcholine and histamines, but which needles are destroyed by boiling or firing.
We can mix nettle with dog food, horses, cows and pigs. It will strengthen their hair and make it shine.
To make tea we should boil 1-2 tablespoons of dried herb with a cup of water for 3-5 minutes. Strain and drink 2-3 cups a day.
From: Bulgaria
