The Burn of Stinging Nettles…to Take the Inflammation Away from Inside Your Body
The word “nettle” is said to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word “noedl” meaning “needle”. Its Latin name “urtica” means “to burn”. They’re one of the most commonly used medicinal plants across the world (as they grow in many places).
There’s a good chance you’ve tried the roots (like in our Nettle Root Spagyric Tincture), now we have the leaf version available… and YES there is a difference.
The root is considered more of a male reproductive tonic, focusing on the prostate, urination as well as hormone health.
The leaves of Stinging Nettle are significantly different, continue reading to discover and understand the difference.
About the Inflammatory Sting
Nettles are commonly known as Stinging Nettles because the leaves and stems are full of tiny, hollow needles made out of silica. These are called trichomes.
Inside the trichomes are histamine, formic acid, the neurotransmitters. serotonin, acetylcholine, 5-hydroxy-tryptamine, and various other chemicals. Touching the plants causes these needles to break, releasing the chemicals into your skin. They cause physical irritation that is further stimulated by the chemicals acting on your nervous system. This pain can last up to 12 hours.
It can be a bummer and a bit uncomfortable to brush into Nettles while taking a hike or working in the yard.
Then again, there’s something to be said for doing that on purpose… this is known as urtification. When working with Nettles one day they challenged me to do this. Always up for a challenge, so I gave it a try…
You can read more about how this can be a health practice that many swear by here.
While that is one practice, this tincture does not sting you at all. The tincturing process does not leave any of the needles intact – have no fear :)
Like Treats Like – Inflammation
Nettles cause an inflammatory action on the skin. This is part of its signature, aka sign-nature or sign from nature.
When used internally, it has the reverse effect, an anti-inflammatory action.*
Studies have shown that people consuming Nettle leaves feel better with:
- Allergies*
- Arthritis*
- Pain*
Some people were even able to lower the amount of pain medication they used!* However, one study did not find any difference on C reactive protein, a biomarker for inflammation.*
Additional Benefits of Nettle Leaf
- Possess antimicrobial properties*
- Nutritive*
- High in protein
- Contain terpenoids, carotenoids, phenols, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals (especially calcium, selenium, zinc, iron and magnesium), chlorophyll, and more
- Diuretic and help the body to move water (this effect is significantly stronger in a tea made with Nettle than in the tincture form)*
- Contains many components that also act as antioxidants.*
Some preliminary research is showing positive benefits in the body’s regulation of blood sugar, specifically restoring fasting blood sugar levels.*
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nettle Leaves are:
- Temperature: Cold
- Tastes: Bitter, Pungent
- Meridian/Organ: Liver
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
Why is this a Spagyric Tincture?
As I dove deeper into herbalism, I learned about the REAL art of alchemy (not turning lead to gold, what most people think it’s about) specifically the spagyric arts with herbal plant material.
The idea behind a spagyric tincture is that the “salt” is added back in, which normal tinctures completely lack, just having the “mercury” and “sulfur” compounds. (Please note these are the philosophical elements, not to be confused with the chemicals by the same name. I’m trying to explain this in a way that doesn’t take an hour or more of training!)
“Salt,” as the most earthy part, in reality, the mineral matrix of the plant, makes the tincture more embodied…which in turn helps it to better work within your body. This is why you can often get better results with a lower dosage on a spagyric tincture vs. a regular tincture.
Quality and Processing
The Nettle Leaves used for this tincture were wild-harvested by hand inside the USA.
The leaves were then tinctured for over six weeks in a menstruum made with:
- Organic Cane Alcohol 40% ABV
- Filtered Fresh Spring Water
After pressing the leaves, they’re calcined and ground down into a fine white ash, then further extracted with distilled water and a gentle evaporation process until crystals are formed. These purified “salts” are added back into the tincture to finish the process.
Many Nettle Leaf Tinctures are light in color. Ours, being made into a strong tincture, is significantly darker than most.
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage is one dropper daily, about 30 drops.
This comes in a one-fluid-ounce bottle, so there are about 40 droppers per bottle.
At the recommended dose a bottle will last about 40 days.
This dose is just a starting point. You can modify the dose up or down as you best see fit.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.