5 Reasons Stinging Nettle is Good For Your Health

If you happen to touch a stinging nettle plant while out for a walk, you will experience a sudden, intense pain that feels like needles are pricking into your skin. While this might make you think you want nothing to do with it, stinging nettle is very beneficial for your health.

In fact, what many call a pesky weed has actually been an important component of health remedies and even pharmaceuticals for ages.

It has diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and immunomodulatory properties. This herb is also a good source of iron, and it contains vitamin A (retinol), B vitamins, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin K. Other nutrients in it are calcium, silica, carotene, magnesium, chromium, potassium, and zinc.

* Helps with Arthritis and Other Joint Pain

Stinging nettle is beneficial for people who have arthritis or any kind of joint pain. Its function is very similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.This herb is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, along with minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium, that all help ease joint pain as well as strengthen bones.

* Treats an Enlarged Prostate

Stinging nettle can benefit people suffering from an enlarged prostate. It can also help deal with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms that are caused by an enlarged prostate gland pressing on the urethra.The essential bioactive phytochemicals in it help shrink the prostate tissue. Being a natural diuretic, it also encourages the elimination of inflammatory wastes through urination.

* Cures Hay Fever

Stinging nettle is highly effective for treating hay fever as well as allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies. Being a natural antihistamine, nettle can reduce inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and provide comfort from symptoms like nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing and itching.

* Treats Eczema

Stinging nettle is also beneficial for eczema, a chronic skin disorder that causes dry skin, redness, swelling, flaking, blisters, cracking, crusted sores and constant itching.Due to the antihistamine and anti-inflammatory qualities of stinging nettle, it works as a natural treatment for eczema and helps reduce the inflammation of the skin tissues and the painful itching sensation.

* Treats Urinary Tract Infections

Stinging nettle can also relieve symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and help clear it up faster.The active compounds in stinging nettle function as a mild diuretic. This will make you urinate more and help flush harmful bacteria out of your system. Also, it helps relieve inflammation.