Nettle leaf has been used by humans as both a food and natural medicine since ancient times, and now modern science is showing that this humble herb has more benefits than you might think.
The nettle plant, Urtica dioica, or Stinging nettle contains beneficial vitamins and minerals that can help to improve your overall health and wellness.
If you haven’t tried it yet, here are 6 ways that nettle tea can improve your health and well-being.
1) Reduces Allergies
Nettles have been used in folk medicine to treat allergies. Research has confirmed their ability to reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies, hay fever, and other nasal allergies due to histamine release.
The nettle tea benefits include helping to reduce inflammation in nasal passages by inhibiting mast cell degranulation.
Nettles stop histamine production by stabilizing mast cells so they don’t release histamine when it isn’t needed, which reduces allergy symptoms. Allergic reactions are also frequently caused by elevated levels of IgE antibodies, nettles can help combat that as well.
2) Improves hair health
Stinging nettle helps prevent hair loss, and if you have thinning hair, drinking nettle tea can help reduce hair thinning and can stimulate growth.
Drinking nettle tea can also be beneficial if you suffer from dandruff or other scalp problems.
A study published found that when people with Alopecia areata, a condition that causes hair loss, took stinging nettle leaf extract they saw an improvement in hair growth.
Researchers believe stinging nettle root has the ability to inhibit dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (which promotes male pattern baldness and follicle death) and thus may promote hair regrowth.
Stinging nettle also improves circulation and stimulates blood flow, which may help improve hair health by bringing nutrients to new follicles.
3) Strengthens Immunity
Nettle tea helps to strengthen your immune system and boost your body’s natural defense mechanisms. Also, nettle tea is well known for its ability to strengthen immunity against respiratory infections, which makes it especially useful during cold and flu season.
Nettle tea is a valuable source of a variety of antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress and even improve your overall immune system.
They are rich in polyphenols which is a strong antioxidant that has been specifically linked to improved immune health and can fight off serious diseases like cancer.
Research suggests that there may be an association between tea consumption and reduced risk of certain cancers, but more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
4) Improves urinary and prostate health
Urinary health is important to men as well as women. Nettle tea is said to have diuretic properties that can improve urinary health, especially for men because it acts like a natural diuretic, which may help reduce swelling in the prostate gland.
Other reports claim that nettle tea benefits urine flow and helps with conditions like cystitis, reducing inflammation and preventing bladder stones from forming.
There’s also evidence suggesting that nettle tea improves prostate health by controlling the amount of DHT(dihydrotestosterone), including reducing infections which keeps prostate health in check.
5) Improves Heart Health
In addition to delivering a number of vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, nettle tea has been shown to lower cholesterol and improve heart health
Nettles also have a long history of improving heart health. By purifying your blood and reducing cholesterol levels, nettle can improve circulation and oxygenation to the important organs including the heart, reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The healthy compounds in nettles may even protect against life-threatening cardiovascular episodes such as stroke or heart attack.
The active compound in Urtica dioica was shown to reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure. In addition, a study carried out on animals showed reduced blood pressure after being given a nettle leaf extract.
6) Controls Blood Sugar Levels
If you’re looking for an easy way to naturally help manage your blood sugar levels, stinging nettle tea is an excellent choice.
Nettles are a great way to add antioxidants and nutrients to your diet without adding calories or sugar.
They also help control blood sugar levels, which is important for people who suffer from diabetes or hypoglycemia.
It helps control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin levels and preventing spikes in blood sugar. These are both important factors in diabetes prevention, which can lead to some serious health problems if not managed properly.
Side Effects:
Although nettle tea is a natural remedy for certain health issues, it does have some side effects. For example, drinking too much nettle tea can cause stomach upset and vomiting. In rare cases, an allergic reaction called urticaria has been reported with nettle tea use.
To avoid these side effects, drink 2 to 3 cups of nettle tea per day and don’t overdose on it.
Pregnant women should also consult their doctor before using any kind of herb or herbal remedy as they can affect fetal development.
If you are taking any medications, seek advice from your doctor before using nettle tea as it may interact with them and cause harmful side effects.
Conclusion:
Nettle tea benefits are numerous. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health problems, including diabetes, arthritis, and allergies, boosting immunity to improving digestion, nettle tea has tons of uses.
However, you should always talk with your doctor before starting or stopping any herbal treatment program since some side effects may exist or may not have been thoroughly researched.
