College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

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Stinging Nettles Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

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Customer Reviews

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"I make herbal infusions as Susun Weed teaches: one ounce by weight of dried herb in a quart jar, filled with boiling..."

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1. Ayurvedic Perspective

2. Biocharacteristics & Herbal Actions

3. Similar foods and herbs

4. Impact: On tongue, nerves, elimination, etc.

5. Indications / Benefits

6. Comments and reviews

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Stinging Nettles: Brown Rice with Nettles, Lemon & Walnut

Sprinkle dried nettles into any soup or stir-fry, and they will impart a rustic, hearty earthiness. This is a rough, tough plant that brings its strength and stamina as a gift for your body. It's deep green color is a sign of its stellar nutritional profile. The cartoon character Popeye may eat spinach to get strong, but perhaps he should be eating nettles! Cooking the nettles in a soup provides many of the wonderful qualities of the nettle plant to your body in a deliciously edible way.

Nettle is the perfect supplement when traveling, or when eating out causes a nutrient poor diet. Adding nettles to your diet offers a delicious way to nourish the body. They are famous as a blood & yang tonic that can be used to fortify your body after menstruation, child birth, or other blood loss.

A Sting that Stimulates Circulation

The compounds found in the nettle sting serve to improve circulation and lymph flow in the joints. While you may shy away from the idea of using a stinging plant, in many traditional societies it was customary to sting oneself with the nettle plant as a way of relieving the pain and inflammation from conditions such as arthritis.

Reduces Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)

Nettles reduce hormonal stimulation of the prostate gland, and is an anti-inflammatory that significantly reduces fibrosis and proliferation of the prostate gland. It is frequently combined with saw palmetto (serenoa repens) in European prostate formulas.

Nettles is similar to alfalfa in nutritional profile, but is more yang and warming than alfalfa.

Nettles are rich in fiber and have even been used to make durable clothing!

Buying & Preparation

You can often find nettles growing near stream beds wild, or in 'guerilla gardens' due to their popularity. Try growing some on your property. If you don't have access to fresh nettles, dried ones will do.

Cooking Stinging Nettles

Cook with coconut oil or coconut butter. Sprinkle into soups or a stir-fry. Nettles may be consumed dried or cooked. Caution with eating fresh leaves raw as the hairs are irritating.

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Are Stinging Nettles Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Stinging Nettles' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

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AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

SERVING SIZE: 1/8 lbs

SPECIES: Urtica dioca

FAMILY: Urticaceae

MEAL: LUNCH-DINNER

PREPARATION: STEAMED

EAT IN: AUTUMN-WINTER

FOR OCCASION: ON-THE-MEND

Metabolic Nature of Stinging Nettles

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

INCREASES Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic. Learn More	DRY ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY HOT ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT LIGHT ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Lightness is identified by reduced weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT
TASTES The 6 Tastes Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below? Learn More	ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT BITTER ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER SALTY ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content. LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history. The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded. Learn More	PACIFIES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	Tissue (dhatu): Bone BONE Bone tissue (Asthi Dhatu) includes the bones, hair, and nails. SEE ALL 'BONE' FOODS / HERBS , Red Blood RED-BLOOD Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels. SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS Affinity: Kidney Bladder Urinary Family: Urticaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Stinging Nettles Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition. Digestion: Appetite Suppressant APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain. SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS , Spleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONIC An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues. SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Cleanse & Detox: Antilithic ANTILITHIC An herb that dissolves / breaks up stones (gallstones or kidney stones) so that it can be passed. SEE ALL 'ANTILITHIC' FOODS / HERBS , Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS Mind, Stress & Sleep: Strengthens Resolve STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength. SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS Energy Vitality: Builds Stamina BUILDS-STAMINA Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion. SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS , Satisfies Stomach SATISFIES-STOMACH Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach. SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS , Nutritive STRONG NUTRITIVE An herb that is strengthening and nourishing. SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Tonic TONIC A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine. SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Skin Care & Beauty: Vulnerary VULNERARY An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic). SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS Respiratory-Health: Lung Tonic LUNG-TONIC Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions. SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Immune System: Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS , Immune Calming IMMUNE-CALMING Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions. SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: Alterative ALTERATIVE Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter. SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Blood Tonic BLOOD-TONIC An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency. SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Hemostatic HEMOSTATIC An herb that stops bleeding. SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETIC Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure. SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS , Kidney Tonic KIDNEY-TONIC An herb that strengthens the kidneys. SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Urinary Tonic URINARY-TONIC An herb that tonifies and strengthens the urinary system. These can be helpful for urinary incontinence or improving function after a urinary tract infection. They can also strengthen the bladder to ward off a urinary tract infection. SEE ALL 'URINARY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Reproductive Health: Antiandrogen ANTIANDROGEN Reduces androgen (testosterone), which can reduce excess growth, drive, and libido. Reduces skin oiliness. Helpful for prostate enlargement. SEE ALL 'ANTIANDROGEN' FOODS / HERBS , Galactagogue GALACTAGOGUE Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis. SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS , Partus Preparator PARTUS-PREPARATOR Prepares the uterus for labor & delivery, making contractions more effective. May also relax the mother, reduce pain, improve breast milk, stimulate contractions (oxytocin), build yang, and nourish blood. SEE ALL 'PARTUS-PREPARATOR' FOODS / HERBS , Promotes Virility PROMOTES-VIRILITY Encourages virility and potency. SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS , Testosteronic TESTOSTERONIC Androgenic. Stimulates testosterone. SEE ALL 'TESTOSTERONIC' FOODS / HERBS Bone & Joint: Bone Tonic BONE-TONIC An herb that strengthens the bones and joints. SEE ALL 'BONE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Hair Growth Tonic HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC An herb or formula that encourages healthy hair growth. SEE ALL 'HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Constituents: 5a Reductase Inhibitor, Aromatase Inhibitor AROMATASE-INHIBITOR Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen. SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS , Silica Salts

Foods with a Similar Nature to Stinging Nettles

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Antilithic, Hair-growth-tonic, Spleen-tonic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Testosteronic, Anti-inflammatory, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Antiandrogen, Hair-growth-tonic, Spleen-tonic, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Immune-calming, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Bone-tonic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Alfalfa Sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Appetite-suppressant, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Urinary-tonic, Antilithic, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Bone-tonic, Spleen-tonic, Antiandrogen, Immune-calming, Vulnerary, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Chickweed

Chickweed has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Vulnerary, Appetite-suppressant, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Galactagogue, Satisfies-stomach, Bone-tonic, Nutritive, Tonic, Builds-stamina, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Tahini

Tahini has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Galactagogue, Satisfies-stomach, Bone-tonic, Nutritive, Tonic, Builds-stamina, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Sesame Oil

Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

Hair-growth-tonic, Tonic, Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Blood-tonic, Galactagogue, Promotes-virility, Bone-tonic

LEARN MORE

Carrot

Carrot has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Diuretic, Nutritive, Antilithic, Internal-detoxicant, Tonic, Blood-tonic, Lung-tonic

LEARN MORE

Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

Antiandrogen, Immune-calming, Spleen-tonic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Vulnerary, Galactagogue, Lung-tonic

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Stinging Nettles

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Urinary-tonic, Galactagogue, Vulnerary, Immune-calming, Alterative, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, Promotes-virility, Blood-tonic, Strengthens-resolve, Bone-tonic, Testosteronic, Builds-stamina, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Antilithic, Tonic, Blood-tonic, Urinary-tonic, Builds-stamina, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Kidney-tonic, Alterative, Lung-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Manjistha

Manjistha has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Spleen-tonic, Antiandrogen, Vulnerary, Antilithic, Blood-tonic, Bone-tonic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Alterative, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Horsetail

Horsetail has these Actions in Common

Bone-tonic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Kidney-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Urinary-tonic, Antilithic, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Red Clover

Red Clover has these Actions in Common

Bone-tonic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Lung-tonic, Alterative, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Antiandrogen, Antilithic

LEARN MORE

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Tonic, Antiandrogen, Urinary-tonic, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Kidney-tonic, Nutritive, Spleen-tonic, Testosteronic

LEARN MORE

Cornsilk

Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Urinary-tonic

LEARN MORE

Bhringaraj

Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

Hair-growth-tonic, Hemostatic, Immune-calming, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Blood-tonic, Bone-tonic, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Hair-growth-tonic, Hemostatic, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Alterative, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Anantamul

Anantamul has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Kidney-tonic, Tonic, Urinary-tonic, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Diuretic, Galactagogue

LEARN MORE

Gokshura

Gokshura has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Testosteronic, Tonic, Urinary-tonic, Alterative, Antilithic, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Impact of Stinging Nettles

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.