Nettle is one of the most interesting and important medicinal plants in the world. Associated primarily with an unpleasant and difficult to eradicate weed, nettle is in fact a treasury of valuable nutrients, to which it owes its outstanding medicinal properties. No wonder that it is used not only to fight many diseases, but also in cosmetics. This is not all the advantages of this plant – nettle for weight loss can be a real slayer of unwanted kilograms.
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Extraordinary nettle
Common Nettle(Urtica dioica), most commonly used for medicinal purposes, is one of two nettle species found in Poland. It is a perennial plant characterized by a high potential for growth and rebirth, reaching up to 150 cm in height.
It is classified as a synanthropic species, i.e. one that has adapted well to living in an environment altered by man. It usually grows on rubble, roadsides, forest edges, neglected gardens or meadows. The second, slightly finer variety is the boat nettle (Urtica urens). The Latin name comes from the word uro – to burn, as the plant is covered with scalding hairs emitting irritating chemical compounds.
Nettle was praised for its healing properties in the works of ancient sages, including Hippocrates, the founder of medicine. In the following centuries Urtica was carefully used, not only as a natural medicine, but also as an edible raw material. Even today, because of its nutritional value, it is used in various salads and added, for example, chopped nettle leaves to animal feed.
Nettle, due to its truly remarkable content of active substances, has an exceptionally beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. It helps remove toxins, is diuretic, has antibiotic properties, strengthens the immune system, fights anemia, lowers blood sugar levels, relieves stress, and finally promotes weight loss.
Nettle – health promoting properties
This seemingly common plant is a real treasury of valuable vitamins, minerals and other substances important for the body and health. Its composition includes, among others: vitamin C, which is more than in a lemon, vitamin K, vitamin E and B vitamins, mainly B2, as well as provitamin A, or carotene.
In addition, nettle contains pantothenic acid and folic acid, organic acids, flavonoids (including the valuable quercetin), carotenoids, phytosterols, tannins, several mineral salts – calcium, potassium, silicon, iron, sulfur, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and copper, manganese, titanium.
The abundance of bioactive substances makes nettle exceptionally beneficial to health, in particular to the functioning of the circulatory, digestive and urinary systems, to immunity and the condition of the skin, hair and nails. Nettle also has an important preventive effect, for example, it prevents blood clots and the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques, or osteoporosis due to strengthening bones.
Nettle – medicinal effects
There are a number of conditions for which nettle can be an important tool in their treatment or prevention.
Anemia
Urtica, thanks to an abundance of iron, the presence of folic acid, vitamin K and copper, involved in the process of erythrocytes and hemoglobin formation, has outstanding blood-forming properties.
Rheumatism and arthritis, degenerative changes
The usefulness of nettle in this regard is due to its steaming properties. Strong stimulation of the receptors acts analogously to a specialized ointment. Drinking nettle in the form of juice or infusion is also beneficial in these conditions.
Kidney diseases, digestion problems
Nettle has been used for centuries for kidney stones and inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract. The plant protects the kidneys, also facilitates urination.
Moreover, nettle not only has a diuretic effect and cleanses the body of toxins, but also increases the production of digestive juices, which supports and normalizes metabolism. It also lowers the sugar level.
Weakened immunity
As a result of the stimulation of immune cells and the production of lymphocytes, the immune system is strengthened.
Cancer
One of the important components of nettle is silicon, important for the proper functioning of immune cells. Nettle is also an excellent free radical scavenger, responsible for the development of cancer and other serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimera, multiple sclerosis.
Acne, pimples, problem skin
The described plant turns out to be very useful also in the case of various skin lesions (for example, acne), as well as when there is a need to improve the condition of our skin or hair. Both internal and external remedies will be indispensable – baths, tonics, ointments made of nettle and other herbs.
Nettle for weight loss
Nettle is not only used in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases, but also, due to its properties of accelerating metabolism and improving the work of the digestive system and digestion process, is a true ally in weight loss.
Consumption of nettle infusion, juice, tea, or as an addition to other dishes, or supplements containing extract from this plant, will help us get rid of excess weight, and also provide the body with many valuable nutrients.
First of all, nettle helps remove harmful residues of metabolism and toxins from the environment, which is of great importance during weight loss treatments. Acting as a diuretic, it stimulates the removal of excess water from the body and the elimination of swelling.
It speeds up metabolism, normalizes digestion, eliminating various ailments, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. At the same time contributing to the regulation of sugar levels in blood prevents sudden attacks of hunger.
The role of nettle in the process of weight loss is all the more important that we are dealing with a completely natural slimming agent, which supplies the body with valuable nutrients, whose deficiency may occur in connection with the diet. A way to support weight loss can also be a green bath, prepared from nettle with the addition of field horsetail and walnut leaves, cleansing and accelerating metabolism.
Check: Ranking of tablets for weight loss
How to use nettle? Ways to consume Urtica dioica
You can, of course, make your own nettle juice, that is, from the young leaves collected before flowering, prepare the dried leaves as a raw material for brewing or add the young, chopped leaves to various salads, soups or sauces.
However, if you want to consume nettle on a daily basis, it’s better and more convenient to use weight-loss supplements containing nettle. One of them is the popular Spirulin Plus, which in addition to nettle contains other natural substances that accelerate weight loss. The product not only facilitates weight loss, but also stimulates intensive detoxification of the body.
