As we pass through lambing season into peat cutting season on the Isle of Lewis, I have been delighted to discover that the sheep grazing the croft, don’t eat nettles and that the croft has an abundance of my favourite forageable! The image is a flowering nettle from my ” Medicinal Nature” series, created when I lived in Edinburgh. This is a series of laser engraved prints of flora, fauna and fungi that are believed to have medicinal qualities. Nettle is such a super food! As well as drawing it, I have been making nettle cordial on the croft this week. So what are the health benefits of Nettles?
It is high in Vitamin A, C, K, and several B vitamins, nettle is packed with minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, which contribute to overall health. Nettle contains antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory and supports the immune system, helps with allergies and urinary health
1. It offers anti-inflammatory benefits
Nettles have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with inflammatory disorders and reducing symptoms in conditions such as eczema, arthritis and psoriasis.
2. It’s high in antioxidants
Nettle tea contains high levels of antioxidant. A diet high in antioxidants helps protects our cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases such as heart disease and some cancers.
3. It helps support bone health
Nettles contain a number of vitamins and minerals that help support strong and healthy bones, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin K. They also contain high levels of boron which helps to maintain healthy calcium levels in the body and may help prevent osteoporosis.
4. It has skin-healing properties
Nettles are a natural antihistamine, as well as having anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help in the treatment of skin conditions such as acneand eczema.
5. It may help with a healthy prostrate in men
The anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and anti-viral properties of nettles have been found to help in relieving the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
6. It may reduce pain in those with arthritis
A study found that stinging nettles may reduce pain and disability in those with osteoarthritis.
Want to have a go? Nettle Cordial is really simple to make and you can download the recipe I follow here.