How to Use Stinging Nettle to Treat Eczema
Eczema, or dermatitis, afflicts sufferers with itchy, red, flaky patches on the skin. Ironically, one of the best herbal treatments for this skin condition, is an herb that, in its natural state, must be handled with care because of the tiny stinging spikes on its stem that can lsting and cut the skin. However, stinging nettles, when taken internally, have a marvelous healing effect on eczema.
Things You'll Need
- Nettle extract or nettle tea, pre-prepared
- Gloves
- Plant-cutting tool
- Fresh nettles
Instructions
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Decide which method of consuming nettles best fits your lifestyle and personal preferences. If you live in an urban environment, you might prefer the ease and speed of purchasing a tincture or packaged tea. If you are a gardener, or someone who likes to take long walks in the woods, you might want to harvest and prepare your own fresh nettles.
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Visit a health food store to purchase nettle products. In a well-stocked store, you will find several options, possibly including dried, cut nettle leaves in a jar for purchase by the ounce, as well as multiple brands of teas containing nettle, and nettle extracts from different herbal companies. The dried leaves can be placed in a tea ball to make your own tea; this may be the most inexpensive option. Or look for a prepared tea containing nettle leaves. Nettle extracts are highly concentrated forms of the herb; purchase one of these if you want more rapid results.
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Grow your own nettles. Nettle plants can grow best in temperate regions; late spring before flowering the best time to harvest the leaves Remember to wear gloves and long sleeves when handling the plant to avoid learning the truth of the name "stinging" nettle.
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Harvest nettles growing in the wild. It is important when harvesting wild plants to make sure you recognize those that are healing. You might want to sign up for an herb recognition "walk and talk" class in the woods with an expert herbalist, or bring an herb book with good, clear pictures of the plant. Get permission to harvest wild plants if on someone else's land, and don't forget to handle nettles with your hands protected by gloves.
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Use your fresh-picked nettles for medicinal tea and tinctures, or in recipes. You can mince and dry the leaves to make your own tea, or put the cut leaves in brandy or vodka to make a tincture (drying the leaves yourself or permitting their healing properties to be transferred to the alcohol takes more time than store-bought but saves a lot of money). Once the stinging stems are detached, the nettle leaves are edible; they can substitute for spinach and similar leafy greens in many recipes.
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Tips & Warnings
Nettles contain protein, as well as chlorophyll, iron, silica, and potassium. In addition to aiding against eczema, this plant has a powerful effect on the adrenal glands, increasing energy naturally. Their restorative powers are particularly beneficial for women going through menopause. Nettle helps reduce arthritis pain and also help alleviate allergy symptoms. Nettles offer wonderful overall detoxifying benefits to the body.
