Nettle
Nettle’s scientific name is Urtica dioica and it belongs to the Urticaceae family. The aerial parts of nettle are most commonly used, though herbalists also use the seeds and roots.
Taste Profile
When consumed, dried meadowsweet has a sweet taste, along with aromatic and hay-like flavours, and some people also notice medicinal and almond notes. It offers a well-rounded, mellow flavour when enjoyed as a simple beverage, reminiscent of summer evenings in a meadow!
Active Constituents
Salicylic acid, volatile oil, spireine (salicylaldehyde), gaultherine, flavonoids, tannins, mucilage and coumarins
Therapeutic Properties
Analgesic, antacid, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, relaxant, stomachic and urinary antiseptic.
Traditional Uses
Meadowsweet has a long history of traditional use as a gentle remedy for digestive issues such as diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. It is known for its ability to ease excess acid and indigestion. Additionally, it was one of the original sources of aspirin and is valued for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in addressing headaches and musculoskeletal issues like arthritis.
Contraindications
Do not use when there is a known aspirin sensitivity. Do not use alongside anticoagulants.
Taste Profile
Nettle tea presents a refreshing blend of green, fresh, and slightly peppery notes, reminiscent of the mineral saltiness found in spinach. Dried nettles evoke the essence of a sunny meadow and hay, while a cup of nettle tea delivers a delightful and invigorating "healthy" taste.
Active Constituents
Minerals and vitamins, flavonoids, flavanol glycosides, tannins, indoles, amines, and chlorophyll.
Therapeutic Properties
Alterative, antiallergy, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, galactagogue, haemostatic, hypotensive, nutritive, and tonic. The seeds are stimulating and adaptogenic.
Traditional Uses
Nettles have been traditionally used to treat arthritis by inducing inflammation to relieve pain and promote healing. They can also reduce joint inflammation, clear fluid, and strengthen the joint when used internally. Nettle seeds can be infused into carrier oils to make ointments for direct use on the joints. Nettles act as an antihistamine for respiratory and skin allergies, reducing excessive secretions during hay fever and colds. They can also address chronic skin issues internally and externally by clearing heat from the skin. Additionally, nettles are a rich source of nutrients used to strengthen the body, especially post-partum and during convalescence. They are considered a traditional spring tonic herb.
Contraindications
Do not use alongside anticoagulant, diuretic, or hypotensive medications.
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