I realise I do things backwards by posting about what a herb is good for after posting a recipe or sometimes not mentioning at all what it is good for.
I guess I feel that sometimes it doesn't matter what it does as it is edible and tasty regardless of whether it is good for you. Of course the added bonus is that it always is.
Nettles are no exception. They taste great used as a vegetable but are also amazingly good for you. They are high in calcium, Iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin C. Any other vegetable with this combination of nutrients would be labelled a "Superfood" and the price would be instantly inflated. Nettles, on the other-hand, are ridiculously abundant and completely free. Result!
The iron and vitamin C content make an effective combination as iron is better absorbed by the body by the addition of Vitamin C. This makes nettle a good herb for women who get heavy periods or anyone who is mindful of ensuring an iron rich diet.
Nettle should also be thought of by those with hayfever and/or eczema/acne. It has an anti-inflammatory action and appears to have an anti-histamine effect. For best results nettle (often in the form of tea) should be taken a few months before hayfever season starts. A difficult one to remember.
In terms of skin conditions I have found that it works best where the skin is not already very hot and red looking and also where there is an emotional link to a flair up. The skin and the nervous system are formed from the same tissues at the embryonic stage so it is unsurprising that emotional reactions have an effect on the skin surface.
But that's not all! Nettle also: boosts the immune system, reduces blood sugar levels, can help lower blood pressure, increases milk production (and makes it extra nutritious) and is useful as part of a treatment for gout and rheumatoid arthritis...and this is just the nettle leaves. The roots and seeds also have their own specific uses but that is a story for a different season...
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