Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been a staple in herbal health since ancient times.
Its scientific name, Urtica dioica, comes from the Latin word uro, which means “to burn.” Covered with trichomes, or sharp plant hairs, the leaves of stinging nettle can cause a temporary burning or stinging sensation, as its name suggests, and may produce itching, redness and swelling upon contact.
Ancient Egyptians used stinging nettle for joint support. Meanwhile, Roman troops used it to battle cold temperatures by rubbing the nettle leaves on their arms.
Abundant in phytochemicals and bioactive compounds that can help the body function optimally, stinging nettle has spread around the world, used by many since the 19th century.
Even though stinging nettle is a common sight in backyards and gardens today, it's often weeded out and thrown aside because of its unfriendly stinging properties.
But as history reveals, there’s more to this “weed” than just a stinging nuisance…
An Ordinary Plant with Extraordinary Properties
Even though the healthful importance of nettle has been established through numerous studies, its image is still usually overshadowed by the fact that it's still an unwelcome “stinging” member in your garden.
However, once it’s processed into a supplement, dried, freeze-dried or cooked, stinging nettle can be safely consumed.
This exceptional herb contains a significant number of bioactive compounds. The leaves alone are rich sources of terpenoids, carotenoids and fatty acids, as well as various essential amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamins, tannins, carbohydrates, sterols, polysaccharides, isolectins and minerals.
Collectively, the entire stinging nettle plant provides a wide variety of specific nutrients, including:
- Vitamins: Vitamins A, C and K as well as several B vitamins
- Minerals: Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium
- Fats: Linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid
- Amino acids: All of the essential amino acids
- Polyphenols: Kaempferol, quercetin, caffeic acid, coumarins and other flavonoids
- Pigments: Beta-carotene, lutein, luteoxanthin and other carotenoids
What’s more, many of these nutrients act as antioxidants inside your body.* Antioxidants are molecules that help protect your cells against harmful free radicals, which, in excess, have been linked to potential adverse health conditions.
Why Stinging Nettle May Be Right For You
Due to its variety of potent nutrients – including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, polyphenols and pigments – this remarkable herb has been shown in both human and animal studies to help support:
- Immune and seasonal health.*
- An already healthy inflammatory response.*
- Joints and muscles.*
- Blood sugar levels already in the normal range.*
- Healthy blood flow *
- Normal detoxification processes.*
- The male prostate.*
- A healthy liver.*
With all these benefits, you might be tempted to add some stinging nettle to your garden.
However, it’s not something highly recommended because extreme care is needed when attempting to harvest stinging nettle leaves. Their barbs can harm your skin because they can inject an array of irritating chemicals, including histamine and formic acid. Plus, additional processing of the leaves is required such as boiling and straining prior to any consumption consideration.
Outside of trying to process your own or buying some at select stores, there is a much more convenient way to take advantage of all stinging nettle has to offer – and that’s with a high-quality supplement…
4 Key Factors to Look for in a Stinging Nettle Supplement
Stinging nettle formulas can vary greatly. That’s why we’ve put together a list of key requirements for a high-quality stinging nettle supplement. Here are four questions you can ask when choosing a stinging nettle supplement:
- Is it Certified Organic?
By making sure the supplement is Certified Organic, you can be confident you have a clean product without traces of synthetic pesticides and herbicides or genetically engineered (GE) ingredients that could potentially harm you.
- Is it made from a whole-food source of stinging nettle leaves?
When compared to the roots and stalks, research shows that nettle leaves contain more bioactive compounds and higher amounts of analyzed compounds, including polyphenols.
- Is it free from adulterated ingredients?
Adulteration of a dietary supplement typically involves one of two patterns: economic adulteration, which uses a less expensive ingredient in place of a more expensive one listed on the label, or pharmaceutical adulteration, which includes an active drug in a purportedly botanical supplement.
- Is it produced by a trusted manufacturer with high-quality processing of the nettle?
This requirement pretty much goes without saying. But making sure that the formula comes from a reliable source with experience in drying and processing raw nettle should not be overlooked.
Don’t Settle for Second Best – Certified Organic is the Smart Way to Go
To help you optimize the nutrients and potential benefits of stinging nettle, we created an extraordinary Organic Stinging Nettle formula that:
- Is Certified USDA Organic – avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides and GE ingredients.
- Originates from whole-food stinging nettle leaves.
- Has had Botanical Identity (ID) verification testing performed for authenticity and avoidance of any adulterated and synthetic ingredients.
- Comes in a convenient, easy-to-take tablet.
- Is produced by a trusted manufacturer experienced in processing high-quality stinging nettle. The nettle in our formula is dried at 40-50° C (104-122° F) for consistency, reliability and safe consumption.
Why settle for second best when you can take advantage of Organic Stinging Nettle exclusively produced from organic, whole-food nettle leaf powder?
With its incredible array of healthy nutrients from vitamins to minerals, to quality fats and all essential amino acids, to polyphenols and healthy pigments, Organic Stinging Nettle offers powerful support for your immune health, normal inflammatory response, joint and blood sugar health, and more.*
Take advantage of this unique organic stinging nettle supplement we helped elevate to a whole new level, and order your supply of Organic Stinging Nettle today.