Despite its notoriety as a pain-causing plant, the stinging nettle has many medicinal properties for the health of your skin and body. People have known about its positives since the time of the ancient Greeks and continue to use it through the ages. Although a native of the colder climes of Europe and Asia, it can now be found almost everywhere in the world. Read ahead for some of the most interesting nettle tea benefits. Of course, you can also cook the leaves and eat them like a vegetable.
Interesting Nettle Tea Benefits You Never Knew
Provides Relief from Joint Pain
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, nettle tea can help you with joint pain arising from conditions like osteoarthritis. When taken with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), the tea adds to the positive effects and can even lower your dependence on the medicines. Nettles are also known to help you with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Relieves Allergies
The anti-inflammatory properties of nettles work on the key receptors and enzymes that your body releases in response to allergens that cause hay fever. Nettles also contain histamines that can help you with the symptoms of hay fever like itching, sneezing, congestion, and other reactions. And, best of all, you won’t have to deal with the side effects of basic over-the-counter allergy medicines.
Helps with Urinary Issues
Nettles contain several compounds like phytoestrogens, fatty acid chains, phytosterols, and plant oils that are known for their therapeutic effects on your kidneys. In addition to helping men with conditions such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), it can promote the easy flow of urine and protect the bladder by strengthening the muscles that control its functioning. You can also drink the tea for relief from urinary infections and bladder stones.
Boosts the Effects of Medications that Control Diabetes
By drinking the beverage regularly, you can use nettle tea benefits to help you control blood sugar levels. Patients with Type 2 Diabetes are known to have increased levels of high sensitive c-reactive protein and interleukin 6 that nettle tea can help reduce.
Cleanses the Toxins from the Body
If you’re looking for a great detoxing agent that can rid your body of the buildup of impurities, consider taking nettle tea. By improving the functioning of the lymphatic system, nettle tea can remove metabolic waste stored in your body cells. Because of this property, you can also use the beverage as an effective weight loss agent. In addition, nettles have antioxidant properties that can fight the free radicals in your body and protect cells from damage.
Gives You Beautiful Hair and Skin
Drinking tea regularly helps combat issues like hair loss. But, you can also consider rinsing your hair with nettle water to promote hair growth and treat conditions like dandruff. The anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of nettle tea can help you with several skin conditions like eczema and acne. By applying the oil on burns, insect bites, and chicken pox, you can get relief from the pain and discomfort.
Relieves Internal Bleeding
One of the many nettle tea benefits is the property of stopping bleeding. You can apply a paste of the leaves to stop the bleeding from wounds. But, by drinking the tea, you can get relief from excessive menstrual bleeding. And also from bleeding from hemorrhoids, piles, and stomach ulcers. Further, it has high levels of iron that can replace the hemoglobin and help treat anemia.
Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Consume nettle tea regularly and you can protect your heart. That’s because nettles contain compounds like beta-sitosterol that absorb that fats in the food you eat and prevent the formation of bad cholesterol.
Drink Nettle Tea with Caution
Although nettle tea benefits are myriad and can help you, it is advisable that you check with your medical practitioner before consuming the beverage. That’s because it can be harmful for pregnant women. And, can react adversely with some of the medications you may be taking.