The undervalued superfood that deserves your consideration
When you’ve got spent a variety of time open air, chances are you’ll be accustomed to a prickly plant that’s assured to depart an enduring impression. Even with the slightest brush towards the pores and skin, a painful sting and welt will type because of the tiny, hole needles that line the stem and leaves of stinging nettle.
Going by the Latin title Urtica dioica, stinging nettle, nettle, or burn nettle may be discovered rising in nearly each nation in gardens, fields, and banks of streams. It is without doubt one of the most undervalued medicinal crops on this earth.
Wealthy in nutritional vitamins (corresponding to A, C, and Okay), minerals (together with iron, boron, magnesium, and calcium), amino acids, polyphenols, and fatty acids, stinging nettle’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties, make it a wonderful complement for joints, allergic reactions, digestive problems, and basic well being.[1]
For hundreds of years, people have been benefiting from stinging nettle, and up to date scientific research have contributed to its rising reputation.
Is stinging nettle protected or poisonous for canines?
In its pure type, stinging nettle might significantly irritate the pores and skin, the mouth and digestive system (ouch!).
Luckily, as soon as dried, the formic acid and particular proteins that trigger the stinging response are neutralized, offering highly effective therapeutic advantages for canines and people. This is the reason feeding your canine stinging nettle in both a dry powder or tincture type is essential.
A curious truth: Nettle Consuming Competitions happen within the UK, the place members eat as many stinging nettle leaves as potential inside a set time. This may sound like a type of torture to some, nevertheless it’s a celebrated occasion with historic roots and a festive environment.
Advantages of stinging nettle for canines
- Allergy reduction: Stinging nettle, with its antihistamine and anti inflammatory properties, can mitigate allergic reactions in canines. That is notably useful when canines endure from itchy pores and skin and different allergic signs throughout allergy seasons.[2][3]
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Most cancers assist: With its robust antihistamine properties, stinging nettle might assist scale back the expansion of sure cancers, like mast-cell tumors (MCT), by blocking histamine H1 receptors and stopping degranulation.[5]
- Pores and skin and coat well being: The plant’s wealthy nutrient profile helps pores and skin well being, selling a shiny coat and lowering dandruff and itchiness.[1][2]
- Joint assist: Its anti-inflammatory results assist canines with arthritis, osteoporosis, and different joint points, lowering ache and enhancing mobility.[2][5][6]
- Bone well being: Wealthy in vitamin Okay, stinging nettle contributes to bone well being by enhancing osteoblastic exercise, which is crucial for bone formation and strengthening.[1]
Curious truth: Stinging nettle has been used as a coagulant in cheesemaking. The power of nettle juice to curdle milk has been exploited in conventional cheesemaking practices, offering a pure different to animal rennet. This technique additionally imparts a refined taste and will increase the cheese’s dietary worth.
- Urinary well being: Stinging nettle acts as a diuretic, supporting kidney operate and urinary well being. It could possibly assist flush out toxins and alleviate signs of urinary tract infections.[5]
- Mind well being: Analysis has proven that stinging nettle has optimistic and promising results on the therapy of Parkinson’s illness. It helps mind cell well being, reduces oxidative stress, and slows cognitive decline.[4]
- Digestive support: Nettle can enhance digestive well being by supporting the intestine flora and aiding in nutrient absorption.[1]
Curious truth: Stinging nettles have been used as a survival meals throughout instances of shortage. They are often boiled to take away the sting and eaten as a leafy vegetable. Moreover, nettle tea is nutritious and has been used traditionally as a cleaning spring tonic to rid the physique of winter sluggishness.
The ability of fermentation
Fermenting stinging nettle enhances its advantages. Breaking down the plant’s mobile construction makes its vitamins extra accessible and digestible (bioavailable), which additionally will increase its efficacy. Fermentation additionally introduces useful micro organism, contributing to a wholesome intestine microbiome in canines.
The best way to use fermented stinging nettle for canines
Fermented stinging nettle is a superb addition to your canine’s food plan to assist assist arthritis and joint well being, immune methods, allergic reactions or pores and skin problems, and bone well being and therapeutic. It ought to be given in powdered or liquid type and makes a wonderful joint supplement.
Conclusion
Stinging nettle, notably when fermented, presents quite a few well being advantages for canines, starting from allergy reduction and improved pores and skin situation to joint assist and digestive well being. Nonetheless, like all complement, in case your canine has any pre-existing circumstances, it’s important to contact your veterinarian or work with a canine herbalist to make sure finest observe. With its pure therapeutic properties, stinging nettle is a helpful addition to your canine’s wellness routine.
References
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Bhusal, Okay. Okay., Magar, S. Okay., Thapa, R., Lamsal, A., Bhandari, S., Maharjan, R., & Shrestha, J. (2022). Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle, Urtica dioica L.: A evaluation. Heliyon, 8(6), e09717. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09717
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Wynn, S. G., & Fougère, B. J. (2007). Veterinary Herbal Medicine: A Systems-Based Approach. Veterinary Natural Drugs, 291–409. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-02998-8.50024-X
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Roschek Jr, B., Fink, R. C., McMichael, M., & Alberte, R. S. (2009). Nettle extract, Urtica dioica, affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res, 23(7), 920-926. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2763
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Albadawi, E., El-Tokhy, A., Albadrani, M., Adel, M., El-Gamal, R., Zaarina, W., El-Agawy, M. S. E., & Elsayed, H. R. H. (2024). The role of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) in the management of rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease in rats. Cell, 87, 102328.
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Kregiel, D., Pawlikowska, E., & Antolak, H. (2018). Urtica spp.: Ordinary Plants with Extraordinary Properties. Molecules, 23(7). doi: 10.3390/molecules23071664
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Randall, C., Randall, H., Dobbs, F., Hutton, C., & Sanders, H. (2000). Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. Journal of the Royal Society of Drugs, 93(6), 305-309. doi: 10.1177/014107680009300607