• Herbal respiratory support.
• Natural antihistamine.
• Traditionally used as a tonifier.
• Quickly relieve hay fever symptoms.
• Supports urinary tract health.
• Relieves pain associated with arthritis.

What are they and where do they come from?

Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica or urens) have long been renowned for their tonifying properties and more recently have become noted for providing seasonal sinus support.

The stinging nettle is a weed native to Europe, Asia, as well as North America. The shoots grow from two to three feet, to as high as 10', and flourish in soils that are high in nitrogen. All nettles sting, but their stinging properties disappear once they've been dried or cooked. As they are used throughout Europe, nettles make a valuable tonic after the long winter months because they provide a potent natural source of a number of vitamins and minerals.

Nettles are high in vitamins A and C, and rich in nutrients, including calcium, choline, magnesium, boron, iron, iodine, silica, sulfur, potassium, chlorophyll, histamine, serotonin, glucoquinones, bioflavonoids, tannins and amino acids. They're unusually high in protein (40%) for a plant. And because they're so nutrient-dense, they make a good overall tonic for strengthening the body. Useful in treating anemia, their high vitamin C content helps ensure that the iron is properly absorbed by the body.

Why should you take it?

• Urinary tract health: Nettles have a mild diuretic effect, which means it may promote the loss of water from the body. Diuretics are also used to relieve high blood pressure. Recent studies of both humans and laboratory animals confirm that nettles increase the production of urine. Nettles are still used to relieve conditions such as premenstrual swelling. They are approved in combination with drinking large amounts of water for treating urinary tract inflammation and for treating and preventing kidney stones by Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products.

• Arthritis/Muscle Pain: Nettles may interfere with the body’s production of inflammation-causing chemicals (specifically tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Consequently, Nettles may have an anti-inflammatory effect. They also enhance responses of the immune system. Chemicals in nettles are also thought to reduce the feeling of pain or interfere with the way that nerves send pain signals. All of these effects reduce the pain and stiffness of arthritis and similar conditions. They may also have some value for relieving other inflammatoty conditions such as colitis.

• Seasonal Allergies: Nettles reduce the amount of histamine that is produced by the body in response to an allergen. An allergen is a substance such as pollen that may provoke an exaggerated immune response in individuals who are sensitive to it. Through this potential action, Nettles are helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.

Contraindications:

• If you are pregnant or lactating consult a health care practitioner prior to using nettles.
• Occasionally, people taking nettles experience mild stomach upset. This can typically be alleviated by taking with a meal.