Useful information

The use of nettles: from Dioscorides to the present day

This wonderful plant has been used for many centuries. Dioscorides already pointed to many of his beneficial featuressuch as wounds, urinary tract diseases, nosebleeds, respiratory diseases. He recommended a decoction of leaves with myrrh in the absence of menstruation, and liquid barley porridge with nettles - for atony and for the prevention of tuberculosis. It was used by Hippocrates and Pliny, Hildegard Bingent and Paracelsus.

Odo from Men in his poem "On the Properties of Herbs" wrote the following about this plant:

"WITH crushed vinegar together, soothe spleen swelling

The root will be able to, but exactly he gives help with gout

And with any ailments affecting our joints;

In these cases, it will help superimposed on top or

Olives boiled in oil - you will warm your limbs with that ointment.

Often combined with wine, it helps jaundice;

Nettle seed with honey is a remedy for colic;

Drink it often - and she will cure an old cough. "

In Russia, tuberculosis was treated with nettle infusion, which is probably associated with a hemostatic effect and a relatively high content of silicon (1-4% silicic acid), jaundice, pain in the kidneys, edema and epilepsy.

Women - tops, men - roots

Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle is included in the pharmacopoeias of many countries of the world. This plant is unconditionally accepted into the service of scientific medicine. In European countries, rhizomes are used more, in our country - leaves or the entire aerial part.

In a survey of German pharmacists, it was found that among medicinal plants, nettle is in third place in terms of consumption after chamomile flowers and flax seeds.

The range of applications for this plant is extremely wide. Most of all, in Russia and the CIS countries, the hemostatic effect of nettle is known, which is associated with the presence of significant amounts of vitamin K, and therefore it is used for uterine, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Apply an aqueous infusion or a liquid alcoholic extract of the leaves. But, preparations of this plant greatly increase blood clotting and are contraindicated in thrombosis and increased blood clotting.

The leaf infusion enhances the activity of the digestive glands, reduces flatulence, has a choleretic effect and lowers blood cholesterol, and in animals with experimental alloxan diabetes it significantly reduced blood sugar and increased glucose utilization by tissues. The vitamins, chlorophyll and iron salts contained in the raw materials stimulate the formation of red blood cells (erythropoiesis), increase the level of hemoglobin and activate the cardiovascular system and gas exchange. Nettle is included in restorative fees. Water infusion is widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent for joint diseases. Often this remedy helps to relieve pain in metabolic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-inflammatory effect is associated with derivatives of phenolcarboxylic acids, which inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Nettle infusions are used locally in the form of lotions and baths for eczema and dermatitis, as well as for trophic ulcers of the leg, burns, wounds that do not heal for a long time. It is part of the collection, which is used for erysipelas. However, there are also contraindications. When applied externally, in rare cases, allergic reactions are observed, and pollen is generally quite a strong allergen. This should be remembered when preparing raw materials.

In the 80s of the last century, nettle attracted the attention of andrologists. Since then, many-sided clinical studies have been carried out on a large number of patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), often called prostate adenoma. In 1986 g.Commission E of the German Federal Ministry of Health issued a permit for the use of underground organs Urticadioica, U. urensand their hybrids. Clinical indications for the use of nettle rhizomes are: urinary disorders associated with mild to moderate BPH.

The rhizomes contain a liposteroid complex that blocks the action of globulin that binds sex hormones and inhibits the conversion of testosterone, which is necessary for the normal state of prostate tissue. According to P. Goetz, the active ingredients are 7-β-hydroxytosterol, 7-λ-hydroxysterol, and possibly coumarin scopoletin. Other authors consider the main active substances contained in the underground organs of nettle 5-γ-sterol, scopoletin, UDA-polysaccharide with T-lymphocytic activity.

In Germany, positive results have been obtained in the treatment of prostate adenoma with a liquid aqueous-alcoholic extract from fresh rhizomes with roots. As a result of two months of treatment, half of the patients had a decrease in the size of the prostate. The extract improved urological symptoms associated with adenoma in 78% of patients after 3 months and in 91% of patients after 6 months of treatment. After 4-6 weeks, the weak urine flow increased and the residual urine volume decreased.

Blend of nettle rhizome extract with saw palmetto extract (Serenoarepens) or African plum bark (RUgeit africanum) is the basis of pharmaceuticals used in Germany in the treatment of prostate adenoma.

Infusion and decoction of rhizomes in combination with a large amount of liquid in Italy is used for kidney stones, painful urination and inflammatory processes in the urinary system.

Nettle seeds are harvested in August-October by cutting off the top of the shoot and spreading it out on paper. After drying and ripening, they easily spill out. Crushed seeds, combined with honey and wine, are tonic and increase libido. It is believed that a salad of young nettle with onions and hard-boiled eggs has the same effect. In addition, the seeds are used externally for skin diseases.

Other pharmacological properties

Stinging nettle

UDA has an effective selective inhibitory effect on the replication (multiplication) of human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus and respiratory syncytial virus in vitro.

Ethyl acetate extract of nettle rhizomes stimulates differentiation of cells of promyelocytic leukemia. Compounds capable of inducing differentiation are considered potential anticarcinogenic agents because they can induce the degeneration of malignant cells into normal ones.

Stinging nettle is used in homeopathy for diseases of the skin, joints and allergies.

Syrup of Dr. A. Leclerc, nettle in wine, etc.

There are a lot of dosage forms from nettle and methods of its use. Considering that it is used in many countries, its application has some national characteristics. Here in the article it is possible to present only a small fraction of the known recipes, which, in our opinion, are of the highest practical interest.

Infusion of leaves: 10 g (2 tablespoons) of crushed raw materials are poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted before cooling, filtered and taken 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals for uterine, hemorrhoidal, pulmonary, intestinal and nasal bleeding, as well as as a blood-purifying, hematopoietic , vitamin, tonic and lacticidal agent.

Infusion of rhizomes with roots: Pour 1 teaspoon of crushed dry raw materials with a glass of cold water, bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute, leave for 10 minutes, drain. Take 1 glass in the morning and in the evening for urolithiasis and prostatitis.

Infusion of seeds on wine: 5 tablespoons of seeds pour 0.5 l of grape port, boil for 5 minutes, leave until cooled, drain.Take 50 ml at bedtime to strengthen male sexual potency.

Syrup of the French phytotherapist of the beginning of the last century A. Leclerc prepared from leaves. 250 g of fresh raw materials are poured into 1 liter of boiling water and insisted for 12 hours. After that, the infusion is filtered and 1 kg of sugar is added. The resulting mixture is evaporated to a syrup. Drink 1 tablespoon of syrup 2-3 times a day as a vitamin, hematopoietic and general tonic.

Guarding the hair

Nettle leaves are one of the most common hair loss remedies. The simplest thing is to make an infusion of nettle. To do this, take 3 tablespoons of the leaves and pour 2 cups of boiling water over it. After an hour of infusion, strain and rinse your head after washing. This procedure must be repeated at least 3-4 times a week. Don't wait for the result right away. The treatment will take a long time, at least several months. To enhance the effect, you can add other plants that strengthen the hair - hop cones, lovage roots, sea buckthorn leaf.

Eat a bird, big and small

Nettle tops, steamed with bran, or added to compound feed, are excellent feed for chickens, from which they rush all winter. In spring, scalded nettle is an excellent vitamin supplement to the diet of young poultry. And in cattle, it contributes to an increase in the fat content of milk and an increase in daily weight gain. And by the way, it is often included in fees for nursing mothers in order to increase milk production.

Young nettles are not only healthy, but also tasty. It is added to green cabbage soup and salads. Pies are baked with chopped nettles and a boiled egg.

Cooking recipes with nettles: Look for nettles in green cabbage soup;

Canned young nettle, Kvass from young nettle, Herbal caviar from mallow, sorrel and nettle, Vegetable stew with nettle, Pike perch in nettle sauce, Pork chops with original roasted nettle, Plantain salad with onions and nettles.

Finally, nettles are just a good fertilizer. Many summer residents soak it in a vat of water, let it ferment and water the plants. The smell, of course, is not the most pleasant, but complete safety of use is guaranteed.

Cm. Herbal starter cultures for plant nutrition

$config[zx-auto] not found$config[zx-overlay] not found