Comments on: 8 Benefits of Stinging Nettle (& How to Use It in Tea, Tonics, Haircare & More)

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Mon, 09 May 2022 03:19:55 +0000

In reply to Carrie.

There are several different species of stinging nettle, Urtica dioica is the most commonly used and referenced though. Urtica spp. just means that it’s an herbal blend of more than one urtica species and should still work fine for allergies. This article explains a bit more about the different Urtica species. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100552/

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 19:50:36 +0000

Do other species of Nettle help with allergies? Or is it only Stinging Nettle? The capsules you linked to (Nature’s Way) are not stinging nettle (urtica dioica). They’re a different species (urtica spp.). Did you still find them helpful for allergies?

By: Sheila Kelleher

Sheila Kelleher — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 00:44:01 +0000

In reply to Celeste. It seems like a perfect alternative to BP meds, which have negative side effects

By: Randall Little

Randall Little — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 10:38:11 +0000

Hi, you mentioned that you use stinging nettle in your homemade pregnancy tea. Dr. Andrew Weil advises against pregnant women using stinging nettle as it can lead to miscarriage…

By: Jessica Ruffing

Jessica Ruffing — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 01:21:08 +0000

Hello! I had a question regarding nettle for my toddler…. I was hoping to buy a mix of herbs to make an immune extract/tea/tincture for immune support at times. Here was the list of herbs it included: Elderberry Whole Organic, Echinacea Purpurea Herbc/s Organic, Echinacea Root c/s Organic, Peppermint Leaf c/s Organic, Rose Hips c/s Organic, Nettle Leaf c/s Organic, Eleuthero Root c/s Organic

Wondering if you could speak to using these for a toddler? She is just over a year, and I want to be cautious. I’m fairly comfortable with elderberry, echinacea, rosehips, but unsure about the rest. Thank you for any thoughts you might have! Appreciate your articles!

By: Verica

Verica — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 02:51:55 +0000

Daily Nettle tea has helped relieve my allergy symptoms. I was wondering if nettle tea or nettle extract can be given to 1 year olds for allergies during summer?

By: Hannah

Hannah — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 19:08:18 +0000

In reply to Wellness Mama. The herbalist you sought info from was correct. Do not use nettles during pregnancy. That is bad advice. On the other hand, you can have it everyday if you're not pregnant (again, contrary to what this article says). It is a tonic herb and one of the few that you can have everyday as a strengthening tonic. Please be careful when pregnant and make sure you seek out qualified herbalists.

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 21:36:04 +0000

Hi,
you mentioned that you use stinging nettle in your homemade pregnancy tea. Dr. Andrew Weil advises against pregnant women using stinging nettle as it can lead to miscarriage…

By: James

James — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 07:18:29 +0000

I love nettles. Once cooked or dried the stings go away. Supposedly allowing the stings is the best way to eliminate other allergies. I do know the stings remove the pain from wasp stings, just brush the underside against it and the pain will end in a few minutes. My favorite recipe is nettle greens cooked with butter and garlic. I should also mention they are very easy to grow and being a perennial you do not have to worry about planting them every year. To control you can cut to the ground and cover with boxes and mulch because they are invasive in a garden.

By: E C Nielsen

E C Nielsen — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 20:02:33 +0000

Stinging Nettle is a plant I eagerly await each Spring! It is one of the first plants you’ll see in late Winter. I have been picking it for decades ~ I dry enough for the rest of the year and eat plates of it steamed with lemon and butter, yummmmm!
IMPORTANT: (i) harvest only from a clean (no pesticide or other toxic spraying nearby and not near any gmo crops) location on a day when the plants are dry and (ii) do not harvest once the plant is in its seeding stage!)
I use thick rubber gloves (actually, only one glove is really necessary ~ since I’m right handed, I use a glove on my left hand and have my scissors in my right ungloved hand!).
I rarely harvest once the plants have gotten quite tall ~ I like the tops and make sure I harvest very little of the stem. I place my left hand on the stem just below the first set of leaves below the tops, pull up slightly so I can cut just below those leaves.
To dry, I simply lay a single layer on the big window screens I use for drying herbs and plants or can also use bamboo or other woven baskets or large drying trays (these are really good as it allows you to toss them every day or two to help in the drying process).
Once completely dry, I store them in clean, dry glass jars ~ I often will cover the jar opening with a cloth for another week or so, to ensure there is absolutely no moisture left in the leaves.
My favorite way to use my dried Nettles is as an overnight infusion (see what Herbalist Susun Weed says about infusions!) Just before going to bed, I place 1oz of Nettles per quart jar + very hot water to cover (cool the water just a little after boiling), cover and let sit until morning or AT LEAST 4 hours. Strain and drink throughout the next day ~ compost the leaves!
Very high in Vitamin C and one of the only wild plants that contains protein!

By: Kimberly Koren

Kimberly Koren — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 18:52:57 +0000

I just bought some nettle and was going to give it to my pup who has skin allergies and runny eyes. I read that you can add nettles to sunflower oil and let sit for four to six weeks for an oil infusion. Any idea on how much I can give him?

Also I NEVER knew nettles help with hair loss! I am going to make myself some tea from also!

Thank you for this article.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 19:08:48 +0000

How often or how long should stinging nettle be taken? for one week, two weeks?

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 03 May 2018 16:41:09 +0000

Why is it not recommended for long-term use?
I have multiple kidney stones and am researching for that reason.
Is capsule supplement as healthy as the tea?

By: Aryn

Aryn — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 17:08:26 +0000

Would you recommend giving gummies made from stinging nettle and dande lion tea to a 3 year old as a daily vitamin? I saw the idea on another blog but wondering if it’s safe for kids and long term use

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 18:18:34 +0000

I love Stinging nettle! It grows prolifically in my yard. I pick it fresh and make tea as well as drying it and grinding it and putting it in capsules. If I get “stung” I simply break open the stem and rub the stem on the area that feels
irritated- the irritation goes away immediately. So the antidote for the sting is inside the plant itself.

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 02:31:34 +0000

Either is great 🙂

By: Judee

Judee — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 13:05:23 +0000

Thanks for this informative post, I once picked stinging nettle and had what i felt like a ” burn” that lasted for days. I never went near it again . It was in the CSA garden. But I do buy it and make tea..

By: Babz McGovern

Babz McGovern — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 14:17:39 +0000

I love Nettles, too! I harvest fresh when I can and make them into a yummy pesto! I pick just the top three-four inches — leaving the stalk and roots intact. I do not harvest if there are seed pods, it is too late, look for them again in the spring! And I have use them for inflammation — I will gently whack my own and others painful body parts such as neck and back, elbows and knees. Grasp the stalk with a gloved hand and gently tap the area with the nettle. Do this a couple times, it will sting but that is good — do it more if you can tolerate it. Believe me, it will feel a bit uncomfortable for a while but the rewards are great!

By: Marissa

Marissa — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 20:39:35 +0000

I have harvested stinging nettle for the last few years. My son’s fall/winter allergies trigger his asthma so he gets a narley cough. I soak the leaves in water over night (or longer) and it clears it right up. I have mixed it with home brewed kefir water with great results too!

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:05:37 +0000

How much nettle (in capsule form) can I give my 10 year old? His hay fever is the worst I’ve ever seen it.