Nettle Sends Allergies Packing
by Susun Weed
“Fend Off Allergies: Eat Leafy Greens!” screamed the headline. The story: a study of 8000 people found a strong connection between low blood levels of folate and allergies. Those who ate the most leafy greens – such as kale, collards, spinach, chard, beet greens, and mustard greens – were the least likely to have allergies, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
Folate is the natural form of folic acid, the B vitamin most well known for preventing birth defects. Folate is found in all leafy greens. Wild greens, such as dandelion, lamb’s quarter, amaranth, and stinging nettle, are especially rich in folate. Perhaps this is why nettle has such an enduring reputation for relieving allergic symptoms and even eliminating allergies.
Folate, we have recently discovered, helps silence immune system genes that cause allergies and breathing difficulties. Thus, people whose diets include four or more servings of well-cooked leafy greens a week – or at least four cups of nettle infusion weekly – are less likely to have allergic responses to their environment or their food. They are less likely to have Type-2 diabetes as well, we may guess, since it seems to be a learned allergic response. Actually
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Looking for Energy? Get Down with Nettle
If you’re looking for energy, you’re looking for nettle. Nettle has so much energy she stings! If you consume nettle regularly – as infusion, vinegar, or soup – she’ll soup up your energy and infuse you with “the stamina of a teenager,” as one nettle devotee put it. Nettle energy is even and steady, consistent and constant. Nettle is the energy of the Earth; it is grounded and loving.
Nettle is the only energizing herb I know of that also promotes sound sleep. Nettle increases energy without increasing blood sugar, so sleep is deeper and more refreshing. With nettle-energy in the adrenals, menopausal women wake less often and feel more rested in the morning. Nettle never leaves one feels jittery or groggy.
Nettle builds energy by nourishing deeply. Nettle is a rich storehouse of needed nutrients. Its protein, vitamins, minerals, and health-promoting phytochemicals recharge exhausted adrenals, rebuild flagging kidneys, and restore flexibility to the blood vessels. Herbalist EE Shook comments that nettle combats inflammation with iron phosphate, feeds the brain and nerves with potassium phosphate, and prevents blood clots with potassium chloride.
Nettle leaf is known to tonify and strengthen the intestines and lungs too. It is a safe diuretic and does not disturb electrolyte balance while relieving edema. It is completely safe for use during pregnancy and lactation, improving the health of mother and child and enriching the milk. Nettle tea and capsules of nettle have little effect and less nutrition. Freeze-dried nettle is effective at relieving allergic symptoms, but has little nutritive value. Nettle infusion is the most effective form; the dose is 4-12 cups a week.
LEARN HOW TO MAKE NETTLE LEAF INFUSIONS NOW - VIDEO
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Nettle Nutrition
Nettle is a superior source of protein; 10 percent by weight.
Nettle is a rich storehouse of readily-absorbable minerals, trace minerals, and micro-nutrients:
calcium (1000 mg per quart of infusion)
magnesium (300 mg per quart of infusion)
potassium (600 mg per quart of infusion)
zinc (1.5 mg per quart of infusion)
selenium (.7 mg per quart of infusion)
iron (15 mg per quart of infusion)
manganese (2.6 mg per quart of infusion)
plus chromium, cobalt, phosphorus, copper, sulphur, silicon, and tin.
Nettle is super-charged with vitamins:
Vitamin A (5000 IU per quart of infusion)
Vitamin B complex, especially thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate
Plus Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K
Nettle Hair Lotion
Mild enough for everyday use.
4 oz. fresh nettle or
1 oz. dried nettle
4 cups water
1/4 cup vinegar
3 drops rosemary or
3 drops lavender oil
Prepare infusion of nettle. Strain out plant material. Add oil and vinegar to infusion. Keep in refrigerator between uses.
Nettle Infusion: Place 1 oz. dried nettle into a quart/liter jar. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water, put the lid on and let it steep for at least four hours at room temperature.
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Healing Wise by Susun Weed - learn more here about seven amazing herbs
I see the Wise Woman. She carries a blanket of compassion. She wears a robe of wisdom. From her shoulders, a mantle of power flows. She ties the threads of our lives together. I see the Wise Woman. And she sees me.
Seven herbs -- burdock, chickweed, dandelion, nettle, oatstraw, seaweed, and violet -- are explored in depth. Each monograph includes the "voice" of the herb, a weed walk to encounter the herb in its environment, detailed instructions for harvesting and preparation, properties and uses for every part of the herb, pertinent facts, fun folklore, and recipes for gourmet foodstuffs, wines, beers, cosmetics, and more.
"Especially important is her discernment between the gentle Wise Woman Way and other "alternative" healing paths. . . . I wish every healer would incorporate this approach," says Vicki Noble (Motherpeace Tarot). Includes index, resources listings, bibliography and references.
http://www.susunweed.com/WiseWomanHerbals.htm#hw
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