Stinging Nettle: Nutrient Packed Herbal Helper

Since ancient times stinging nettle has been used for medicinal purposes. Most people are familiar with the stinging that can occur when bare skin contacts the leaves, but are less familiar with the host of benefits this plant holds.

Stinging nettle can benefit fertility in women and men. For women it’s typically consumed as a tea. Stinging nettle helps to prepare the body for pregnancy and sustains the embryo after conception by nourishing the uterus. It is also high in vitamin K, which is important for newborn health. For best results, it’s recommended that you drink two to four cups of nettle tea a day for several months. Drinking nettle tea while breastfeeding will also promote lactation and help to ensure a sufficient milk supply. For men with fertility issues it’s shown to reduce prostate inflammation, which could in turn improve fertility.

One of the most common ancient uses of stinging nettle was for arthritis. Stinging nettle is anti-inflammatory. In human studies, applying a stinging nettle cream or consuming stinging nettle products is show to relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

Stinging nettle is thought to lower blood pressure. This herb stimulates nitric oxideproduction, which acts as a vasodilator which relaxes the muscles of your blood vessels, helping them widen. In addition, stinging nettle has compounds that may act as calcium channel blockers, which relax your heart by reducing the force of contractions. Stinging nettle has been shown to lower blood pressure levels while raising the heart’s antioxidant defenses

Healthful and delicious, stinging nettle is incredibly nutritious, containing:

• Vitamins: Vitamins A, C and K, as well as several B vitamins

• Minerals: Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium

• Fats: Linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid

• Amino acids: All of the essential amino acids

• Polyphenols: Kaempferol, quercetin, caffeic acid, coumarins and other flavonoids

• Pigments: Beta-carotene, lutein, luteoxanthin and other carotenoids

Lastly, stinging nettle can be delicious. This nettle-pesto is a great way to include this herb in your diet.

Stinging Nettle Pesto

· 1/4 pound stinging nettles

· 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

· 1 clove garlic, minced

· 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted

· 2 tablespoons lemon juice

· 1/3 cup olive oil

· 1/4 cup firmly packed grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

· Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Fill a large pot halfway full with water. Add 1/4 cup salt and bring to a boil.

Fill the sink or a large bowl with cold water. Using gloves or tongs, submerge the nettles in the water and let them sit for 5 minutes. Remove the nettles and discard the water. Wearing rubber gloves, pull the leaves from the stems and discard the stems.

Put the nettles in the boiling water and boil for 1 minute. Drain and spread the nettles on a baking sheet. Let cool completely. Squeeze out as much of the water as possible and coarsely chop.

Place the nettles in the bowl of a food processor with the mint, garlic, pine nuts, and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice. Process until the mixture has formed a paste.

With the machine running, pour in the olive oil. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the cheese. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.