Nettles by Scott Stuart

NETTLES! MY FAVORITE HERB

BY SCOTT STUART, L.AC. OREGON CITY ACUPUNCTURE 619 MADISON STREET, STE. 110 OREGON CITY, OREGON 97222 WWW.OREGONCITYACUPUNCTURE.COM

Urtica dioica v

MILD REMEDY WITH LITTLE TOXICITY

v

NATURE:

COOL AND DRY, SLIGHTLY SWEET

AND SALTY v

QUALITIES:

NOURISHING, RESTORING,

STABILIZING, STIMULATING, DISSOLVING, ASTRINGENT v

AFFINITIES:

BLOOD, BODY FLUIDS, SPLEEN,

LUNGS, LIVER, KIDNEYS, UTERUS, CONNECTIVE TISSUE v

PARTS USED: HERB, ROOTS & SEEDS.

Herbal Constituent: Formic acid, chlorphyll, xanthophyll, enzyme secretin, tannin, carotine, glucoquinone, iron, magnesium, potassium; trace minerals including silicon, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium & sulphur; idoles incuding serotonin and histamines; vitamins ( high in C, B, and beta-carotine), lecithin, protein up to 24%, acetylecholine, mucilage, tannic and gallic acid, glycosides, and hormones. “Our doctors and pharmacists are ashamed of fetching such a common weed (as nettles) from behind the fences and including it in their formulas, even though both in cookery and medicine it has proven its mighty and impressive effects.� Herbalist Hieronymus Bock, in the introduction to his Herbal of 1532

Herba Urticae Actions and Indications

 Tonifies liver yin and nourished blood to address, fatigue, weight loss,      

dizziness, pale complexion Restores connective tissue degeneration and other chronic degenerative issues in general Restores deficient adrenals, thyroid and gonads Regulates metabolism in hepatic and metabolic disorders such as glycogen storage issues, diabetes Tonifies uterus blood to address delayed, scanty or absent menses, estrogen deficiency, PMS Stimulates lactation Restores hair loss and improves general hair health

More Actions and Indications for Analypse (Gk) or Acantum (Lat)

 Restores the lungs, promotes expectoration relieves cough, wheeze and

allergies as in Lung-Phlegm-Damp with thin white mucus, chronic bronchitis, asthma, TB, allergic rhinitis  Astringent that dries damp and stops discharges , bleeding & infections in diarrhea, leucorrhea; frequent or scanty, cloudy urination; cystitis, peptic ulcers  Detoxifies, reduces tumors, deposits in eczema, arthritis, gout, urinary & gallstones  Diuretic to drain excess fluid congestion, edema, ankle swelling, puffy eyes, any urinary irritation

Nettle sprouts in the forest in February after a freezing Oregon rain.

NETTLE SEED ● Thyroid stimulant for functional/subclinical hypothyroidism ● Immune stimulant for toxic insect bites or poisonous plant ingestion ● Scalp and skin restorative by topical use, similar to root and herb

Nettle Root ● Draining diuretic in edema ● Decongestant and possibly antiinflammatory for benign prostate hyperplasia ● Similar to herb’s actions as astringent (antidiarrheal), detoxicant, and dissolvent for stones and tumors

According to David Hoffmann: “Nettle is one of the most widely applicable plants in the material medica. The herb strengthens and supports the whole body. Throughout Europe, nettle is used as a spring tonic and general detoxifying remedy.�

It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that sting….

N E T T L E S H AV E S T I N G I N G H A I R S L I K E T I N Y H Y P O D E R M I C NEEDLES. THE TOXIC JUICE IN THE NETTLE HAIRS IS A C O M B I N AT I O N O F A C I D A N D A N T I G E N I C P R O T E I N U N D E R P R E S S U R E . W H E N T H E N E E D L E - L I K E H A I R S P E N E T R AT E S THE SKIN, THE TIP BREAKS AND THE JUICE IS INJECTED. T H I S C A U S E S A S H O R T L I V E D I T C H Y, S T I N G I N G R A S H .

Y E L L O W D O C K O R P L A N TA I N O F T E N G R O W W H E R E N E T T L E S G R O W. C R U S H D O C K O R P L A N TA I N A N D A P P LY A F I E L D P O U LT I C E T O E A S E T H E R A S H . T H E S T I N G I N G P R O P E R T I E S O F N E T T L E S R A P I D LY D E T E R I O R AT E A F T E R PICKING, AND ARE DESTROYED BY EVEN BRIEF COOKING.

Topical Remedies for Stinging Nettle

Yellow Dock

Plantain

Urtication v The (supposedly outmoded) process of lashing the skin and joints with fresh nettles. v Creates an intense physical and energetic stimulus to circulation, nerves , meridians, muscle fibers, lymphatic flow, and cellular metabolism. v Used to address old painful injuries and arthritic pain. v Effect attributed to constituents such as histamines, acetylcholine, and formic acid stimulating antiinflammatory reactions.

Nettle Cloth & Fiber v Archaeological remains in Denmark and Britain show that nettle was used for string and cloth in Neolithic times. v In post-medieval times drag nets for fishing were made of nettle fiber. v Nettle cloth manufactured in Scandinavia and Scotland from early times until the 19th century known as Scotch cloth in Britain. v Shortages of cotton during the First World War forced the Germans to use nettles to make fabric for uniforms. v Nettle fibers are hollow, providing good insulation, are 5o times stronger than cotton and naturally fire retardant.

“I have eaten nettles, I have slept on nettles sheets, and I have dined off a nettle table cloth…. I have heard my mother say she thought nettle cloth more durable than any other…linen.” Thomas Campbell, 1803 (Scottish Poet)

Taking Your Nettles

v H E R B :

LONG INFUSION: 10-20 G TINCTURE: 4-6 ML

v R O O T :

DECOCTION: 4-6 G TINCTURE: 1-4 ML

v S E E D :

SHORT DECOCTION: 3-8 G TINCTURE: 1-3 ML

Cascade Anderson-Geller Says: “I use lots of Urtica for all kinds of things. Its my favorite herb and I use it as a base in many formula. I’m especially drawn to it for pale, pasty types”.

Wild crafting Nettles ● Found in rich wet soil, often near people, barnyards, gardens and streams. ● The tips of young nettles in the spring a the best. Clip the top two or three leaf pairs. ● If you have a stand of nettles nearby, trim throughout the season & they will produce tender tops until fall. ● Wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants.

● Nettles can replace spinach in any recipe ● Young nettles are great on toast, omelets, soups, stews, pesto ● Steam or sauté as a simple pot herb ● Layer with noodles, sauce and cheese in lasagna

OK. Let’s Eat!

Nettle Ice Cubes Lightly steam nettles and freeze in an ice cube tray. You can store the frozen nettle cubes in a ziplock freezer bag for later use. Just drop into soups or thaw for any use You can do the same when you make nettles pesto!

Nettle Pesto: An Old Italian Recipe ü ü ü ü ü ü ü

Six cups course chopped nettle leaves. Harvest the top few leaves Six Mint leaves 1 or 2 Cloves garlic 1/3 cup Pine Nuts. Or try walnuts 1/2 cup Parmesan 1/2 cup Extra Olive Oil Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Pick nettle leaves from the stems wearing rubber gloves. Then rinse the nettles in a colander or salad spinner to remove any dirt and insects.

Bring a pan of water to boil and blanch nettles in boiling water for one minute – this will remove the sting. Drain well and squeeze out any excess moisture. You can also steam the nettles. Save the leftover liquid for soup stock or just drink as a tea.

Place all dry ingredients in a food processor and pulse until chopped up. Slowly add the oil while blending until the desired consistency is reached.

Taste and season as desired. It can be used right away over pasta, gnocchi or pour just a little olive oil over the top in a sterilized jar and store in the fridge for up to a month.

According to Susun Weed, Nettles Say: “PAY ATTENTION TO SISTER SPINSTER STINGING NETTLE. I FEED YOU. I HEAL YOU. I TEACH YOU. I OFFER YOU THE BEST OF THE EARTH. I GUIDE YOU TO WALK IN BEAUTY. I INSPIRE YOU TO HONOR THE EARTH AND HER GREEN GIVE-AWAYS TO YOU. AND I STING YOU TO ATTENTION!”

According to the FDA:

“The statements in this presentation have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information in this presentation is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.�

References and Good Reading  Weed, Susun. Healing Wise. Woodstock, New York: Ash Tree  





Publishing, 1989.

Wood, Matthew. The Book of Herbal Wisdom. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 1997.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism. The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Holmes, Peter. The Energetics of Western Herbs: Treatment Strategies Integrating Western and Oriental Herbal Medicine, Volumes 1 &2, Revised Third Editions. Boulder, Colorado: Snow Lotus Press, 1997.

Gladstar, Rosemary. Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal: A Guide to Life with Energy, Health and Vitality. North Adams, Massachusetts: Story Books, 2001

Thanks for watching and listening. Happy nettle hunting.