Stinging Nettle For Allergies, Prostrate, Inflammation and More

Stinging Nettle

Easy to find in almost every state in the United States. It likes moist sunny spots.  They look like any other plant but they have hairy like nettles that secrete an acid chemical, formic acid that irritates the skin, causes itching, redness, and for me, it hurt for 14 to 40 minutes.  Felt like a bad bee sting and my hand actually went numb. Of course, I grab them with my bare hands, I don't suggest you do that. So yes the chemical is strong and long-lasting.

Stinging Nettle seems to be an aide in for these issues.

• Inflammation
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Prostrate
• Allergies
• Diabetes
• Detox
• Blood Cleanse
• GallStones
• Anemia
• Childbirth
• Menopause
• Bone Strength
• Blood Pressure

The Egyptians used Stinging Nettle for arthritis, and according to the Arthritis Foundation says many use Stinging  Nettle for Inflammation and Joint Pain relief.  It has also been shown to help improve osteoarthritis (OA) pain and ease gout. Anti-inflammation is a good cause for pain relief. 

Stinging Nettle can be taken as a capsule, cream, oil, tea and more.

Stinging nettle is also good for allergies such as hayfever, and other sinus issues. The anti-inflammation helps with allergies but it also helps because it reduces histamine which is what the body produces exposed to pollen, dust, dander, and other allergy triggers. The histamine is what causes the red eyes, itching, hives, that goes along with allergies. 

Now there are many herbs that helps with Inflammation and pain but none that I know of that helps with Allergies, Inflammation, and BPH.  BPH is benign prostatic hyperplasia a noncancerous growth on or in the prostate gland in men. BPH makes it hard for men to completely release urine from the bladder. Stinging Nettle may slow the growth or reduce the size of the growth in the gland, thus making it easier to urinate. 

Several studies show Stinging Nettle helps with blood sugar, in other words, it has been effective in treating diabetes   After 3 months, the stinging nettle extract had a positive effect on blood glucose levels.

For one, it cleanses the body of toxins. It also improves the nutrient uptake efficiency of the gut stimulates red blood cell production, speeds up wound healing, boosts energy levels and relieves fatigue and anemia.

Stinging nettle helps with women’s issues too. It helps ease painful labor in pregnant women reduces bleeding during childbirth, stimulates the production of milk for breastfeeding soothes menstrual cramps, reduces blood flow during the red days, and helps in hormonal shifts in menopausal women.

Stinging nettle also breaks down stones found in the gallbladder and kidney protects against excess fluid retention, maintains calcium content in our bones, reduce allergic reactions, treat asthma, lower  blood pressure, and relieves tension in the cardiovascular system.

Dosages

The Arthritis Foundation suggests taking up to 1,300 mg of stinging nettle as a tea, capsule, tablet, tincture, or extract. Otherwise, people can take 1–4 mg per day as a tincture, or they can apply creams directly to the skin.

Herbal Remedies Wicked Good Seaweed Surprise

Bladder wrack 

Bladderwrack is actually an alga or seaweed, not a plant. As algae, it is loaded with iodine and there is a warning at the end of the possible metals contained in the Algae, Be sure to read to the end.  Some say to not take this internally and others tell of the super benefits. 



Also known as:  Alga Noruega o Nudosa, Algue Laminaire, Ascophylle Noueuse, Atlantic Kelp, Black Tang, Bladder Fucus, Bladder Wrack, Blasentang, Chêne Marin, Cutweed, Fucus, Fucus Vésiculeux, Goémon, Kelp, Kelpware, Kelp-Ware, Knotted Wrack, Laitue de Mer, Laitue Marine, Laminaire, Marine Oak, Meereiche, Norwegian Seaweed, Ocean Kelp, Quercus Marina, Rockweed, Rockwrack, Schweintang, Sea Kelp, Seawrack, Tang, Varech, Varech Vésiculeux Fucus vesiculosus, known by the common names bladderwrack, black tang, rockweed, bladder fucus, sea oak, cut weed, dyers fucus, red fucus, and rock wrack is a seaweed found on the coasts of the North Sea, the western Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 


Bladderwrack has many benefits for the underactive thyroid, the oversized (goiter) and other iodine deficient illnesses. One problem is that the Bladderwrack is not consistent in the amount of iodine. So I guess you could say this is another warning.

Bladderwrack is used for obesity, joint pain, digestive issues, constipation, urinary disorders, breathing, and sinus. It is known for helping with energy, and the immune system. It really sounds like a miracle product, but again there are many warnings.

Bladder wrack also contains algin, which can act as a laxative to help your regular bowel movements. This is one way it helps with weight control. Keeping the bowels clean.

Some people use bladderwrack for skin diseases, burns, aging skin, and insect bites.

Weight Loss
In many cultures, bladderwrack is thought to speed up your metabolism, which makes it easier to lose weight. When your body is working harder it burns off more fat and suppresses’ s the appetite, thereby preventing weight gain.

Reduced Inflammation

Whether you are suffering from gout, arthritis, hemorrhoids, or skin irritation, bladderwrack may successfully neutralize the irritation, reduce swelling, and even relieve pain. The internal and external (topical) uses of bladderwrack may both be useful approaches and are even better in conjunction, such as for sore muscles and joints. Thus internal and external use for inflammation.

Anticancer Potential

Fucoidan is a unique type of fiber found in high quantities within bladderwrack.  Studies suggest fucoidan has many beneficial properties with antiviral, antitumor, anticoagulant, antiangiogenic, and antiarthritic properties.

Heart Health
Bladderwrack may help with higher levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), which may be an aid in preventing atherosclerosis, lowering blood pressure, reducing your risk of strokes and heart attacks, and generally lessen the strain on your cardiovascular system.

Anti-aging Properties

There are many valuable minerals found in bladderwrack that can help to make the skin beautiful, but there are also powerful organic chemicals that can slow down the aging process.  These antioxidants in bladderwrack keep the skin looking healthy and young, reduce age spots and blemishes, and lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Antioxidants can also boost skin elasticity, keeping your skin looking tight and toned well into your old age.

Word of Warning! If you suffer from hyperthyroidism, then you may not need an extra boost of iodine. Also, some people are allergic to iodine, so large amounts of bladderwrack could be very dangerous. Finally, if you have an upcoming surgery or suffer from a bleeding disorder, you should avoid bladderwrack, as it can make blood clotting more difficult. Check with your medical professional before adding this herbal remedy into your health regimen.

More to Mint Than the Smell. Huge Herbal Remedies

Mint

Everyone loves Mint, they use the flavor in teas, gum, candy, in fragrances for the air, skin, creams and more. It makes a great essential oil for medical benefits. People use this in drinks, and digest it because it feels good and makes you feel better

Mint helps with digestion, headaches, nausea.  I like to breathe it because it helps with the sinus, nasal congestion, asthma, coughing. Because it helps with digestion it is used for IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome.   Remember I said it makes you feel better, in fact, Mint fights against depression and fatigue, aids in memory loss.  Mint can increase brain activity and memory.  Mint helps prevent cancer and helps with vision health. 

One study including 144 young adults demonstrated that smelling the aroma of peppermint oil for five minutes prior to testing produced significant improvements in memory. Another study found that smelling these oils while driving increased alertness and decreased levels of frustration, anxiety, and fatigue.

I add a couple of drops in my CPAP so I can inhale it all night as a decongestant. 

Mint can be taken internally or externally as a rub, oil, or salve, Helps soothe sore muscles and skin disorders. Mint gets rid of pimples, helps nursing mothers with nipple cracks and pain from breastfeeding.  Mint offers a healthy dose of vitamin A which is great for vision.

Human Love Catnip for Relaxation

Catnip

I use this in tea. I dry the leaves and use them all winter. It treats digestion, cramps, diarrhea, colds, respiratory ailments.  I use it to relax, helps me sleep, insomnia helps with anxiety, stress, relaxes the nervous system. 

This can improve relaxation, which may boost mood and reduce anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness.  The Indians in N. America used Catnip and other mint plants in their medicines and recipes when they found it. It was also thought to relieve female menstrual problems. The tribes used catnip to treat colds coughs, sore throats, fevers, pneumonia, and colic. 

It also is used to keep mosquitos away, helps with bug bites, and drives cats wild.

Growing:
They spread quickly so if you already have Catnip it is easy to take a piece with roots and plant it some where else in the garden.  You can also grow by seed, easily.  Till the ground, sprinkle thinly and keep damp. They sprout quickly.  When after they flower the dried flower head will be full of more seeds.

Butterbur Big as Your Head to Treat Cough and Migraines

Butterbur

This herb is a distant relative of the sunflower.  its leaves are big enough to protect from the sun or rain.

The leaves are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, and cardiotonic. They treat cough and asthma. It can also strengthen digestion and aid in gastrointestinal problems. It can treat colic. The leaves also treat minor wounds and skin eruptions.

Shows a remarkable ability to help relieve allergy and asthma symptoms, prevent migraines and headaches, reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. 

It can protect the heart and brain and alleviate stomach ulcers and bladder issues. Butterbur extract offers lasting relief as effectively as some pharmaceutical medications, without the negative side effects typical of drugs.

It goes by many other names including butter dock, coltsfoot, bog rhubarb, and exwort. People used the plant's large, round leaves to wrap butter, hence its name. Butterbur. Its leaves, stems, and rhizomes contain unique compounds that herbalists can extract and sell as over-the-counter supplements. Formulations include soft capsules, tinctures, powders, and teas.

Kick the Flu with Boneset

Boneset

To early herb doctors, this indicated the plant would be useful in setting bones, so its leaves were wrapped with bandages around splints. 

The dried leaves have also been used to make a tonic, boneset tea, thought effective in treating colds, coughs, and constipation.

It is a ubiquitous plant found growing in swamps, marshes, and shores from Canada to Florida and west to Texas and Nebraska. The plant easily is recognized by its long, tapering leaves

Boneset is a plant. People use dried leaves and flowers to make medicine.  Used to reduce fever, increase urine output, cause vomiting, and treat constipation.

Boneset is also used to treat influenza, swine flu, acute bronchitis, nasal inflammation, joint pain (rheumatism), fluid retention, dengue fever, and pneumonia; as a stimulant; and to cause sweating.

It treats a wide array of conditions. These include the flu, colds, fevers, migraines, rheumatism, dengue, malaria, and typhoid fever. It can also increase the body’s resistance to infections. Boneset is also used as a laxative and can help soothe other digestive problems.