Stinging nettle, Uritica Dioica, grows along roadsides and in the forests almost throughout the US and Canada. It is best known for its ability to “sting” you with its prickers, causing an uncomfortable urticaria or itchy rash that may last up to 12 hours. Although not a commonly known herb now, nettles have a rich history of medicinal uses and its leaves and roots have been used for everything including bladder issues, allergies and even hair re-growth. Once boiled, the stinging nettle can also be added to soups and salads, adding a multitude of vitamins and minerals as well as a delicious taste to your meal.

Today the herb is frequently used in the springtime to deal with the most common seasonal condition, allergies. It has been tested to be a potent anti-histamine when taken either in teas or in its whole form in capsules. Taking nettles will help with all of those nasty allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, sniffling and runny nose. And best of all, it won’t make you drowsy. Although the tea literally tastes like you are drinking grass, it may become appealing once you realize the strength of this potent herb.

As this herb is a diuretic, it should not be used if you have congestive heart failure or kidney problems. Also, if you are pregnant, diabetic or have a prostate condition, please consult with a naturopathic physician before taking this herb. Please also be careful if you are harvesting stinging nettles yourself. Gloves are recommended.

Sages’ Favorite Nettle Soup:

You may be able to buy already harvested nettles at your co-op and farmer’s markets. Or if you are brave, you can harvest them yourself.

Ingredients:

2 TB vegetable oil or butter

2 TB flour (gluten-free works great)

1 onion, roughly chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

Several handfuls of freshly picked and washed young nettles

2 cups milk (cow, soy, rice – it all works)

1 cup vegetable stock

Salt and pepper to taste

Fry the onion and garlic in the oil/butter for a few minutes then stir in nettles (don’t worry about removing the stalks) until they are soft. Stir in the flour and gradually add the milk and stock, stirring all the time. Add seasonings. Blend half if you desire a creamier soup. Enjoy!

Why do I get seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hayfever, are your body’s annoying and inappropriate immune response to something that it thinks is troublesome, even though it is not. What happens is that the first time you are exposed to something like pollen, your body may decide that the pollen is dangerous (like a bacteria) and will begin to make specific antibodies to the pollen. The second time you are exposed to that same pollen, those antibodies will cause an allergic reaction – they attach to a certain cell called a mast cell, causing it release histamine, thus creating sneezing, nasal itching, runny nose, and itchy eyes. As those of you suffering from this condition know, this immune response continues until the season is over.

More than 20% of the U.S. population suffers from seasonal allergies even though this is a condition that can be successfully treated with naturopathic and East Asian medicines. The ultimate treatment goal focuses on changing your body’s immune response with diet and herbs so that it no longer responds inappropriately to something that is not harmful. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the treatment may also include tools such as certain vitamins and nutrients, to help stop an allergic response while it is currently happening. Finally, there are methods that may be useful to employ in order to stop exposure to the allergen.

If you are a sufferer of seasonal allergies, there are things we can do right away, even if it is not the season in which you are the most allergic. By starting today, we can stop the seasonal allergic response in the future. Sages’ Healing Center is your one-stop shop for all of your healthcare needs. Call us today for a free 20 min. consultation: 458-6748.