It is said that nettles follow humans wherever they go, and those who know them well even call them their companions. Used since ancient times, they are now firmly established as a super plant that meets all our current needs!
Its name Urtica comes from the Latin urere, which means to burn. It is a robust plant with stinging hairs that actually cause an unpleasant sting, and for many, the nettle evokes a weed or at best, a herbal tea plant from our grandmothers. Very common in the countryside and gardens, it is difficult to believe that a plant so easy to obtain could have qualities worthy of interest. It is true that it is always tempting to be seduced by plants that come from elsewhere (and there are indeed many wonderful ones). And yet, at a time when we are talking about ecological and local consumption, here is a plant of great versatility (it is also made into organic fertilizers, paper and textiles). Nettle is capable of competing with the best superfoods, has properties that any trendy medicinal plant could envy, while being abundantly available in our regions.
In turn, it is used as:
Food : Nettle was eaten as a green vegetable until the 16th century. Its young shoots can be cooked like spinach, and it can be made into soup with potatoes. Today, it is found in stores in pasta, cheese, pâtés, pesto, and more.
Superfood : Nettle is a storehouse of nutrients, and according to some botanists, it is the green plant richest in protein, also containing all the essential amino acids. It also provides beta-carotene, vitamins B, C, E, K. It contains minerals, trace elements, iron, calcium, silicon, as well as antioxidants, flavonoids, chlorophyll, tannins. No wonder nettle is considered fortifying, revitalizing, and especially remineralizing due to its richness in minerals and especially silica. Like most superfoods, it can be obtained in powder form and added to your food.
Medicinal plant : among its many properties, it activates eliminations with an affinity for the renal sphere. It is in this capacity, and by its content once again in minerals and silica, favorable to the bone and joint system.
Cosmetics : After food and wellness, we come to beauty. Nettle seems to have always been used for hair care. Decoctions, infusions, and juices of leaves or roots were applied to tone and regulate the scalp, stimulate growth, and beautify hair. It was used in various traditional formulas, combined with other plants such as arugula, burdock, and rosemary.
Its effects today are not denied since we find it updated in many natural treatments: shampoos, masks, conditioners... Ensuring a healthy scalp, strength, suppleness and shine to the hair.
While nettle has beautifying properties when applied, its effects are also remarkable when taken internally. Beautiful skin, beautiful hair, and strong nails are closely linked to our diet, and it goes without saying that nettle works wonders in this regard. Due to its richness in nutrients, particularly minerals and silica, it nourishes the skin, hair, and nails from within, strengthening, structuring, and fortifying them. It is particularly beneficial for problem skin, which it regulates and cleanses.
To benefit from all its qualities and meet our needs in depth over the long term, we opt for a real cure! And if preparing a herbal tea or using nettle powder for several days is not always easy with our lifestyles, Belle peau Gummies have the merit of making it easier for us to use this traditional plant.
A word of advice: nettle tends to concentrate heavy metals and pesticides, so it is best to choose organic.
Some authors associate nettle with Venus, a nice coincidence when you know its cosmetic qualities...
Bibliography
- Great manual of phytotherapy - Dr Eric Lorrain
- Our friends the plants - Famot Editions
- Medicinal plants from here or elsewhere? - Michel Dubray
- The virtues of nettle - Yves Tissier
- Secrets and Virtues of Medicinal Plants - Readers Digest Editions
- Phytotherapy - Dr. Jean Valnet
These tips are not a substitute for medical advice. If you are ill or undergoing treatment, consult a healthcare professional. Plants and dietary supplements have contraindications and precautions for use; check them before use.
