Nettle Tea – so effective at helping you lose weight, Amazonian Shaman talk of it!
It’s also great for the prostrate gentlemen!
My first introduction to nettle tea was in the Peruvian Amazon at a little place called Loreto. To be able to stay in this particular village, it is a ritual that the village Shaman clear any visitors of unwanted energies- well at least that’s what the locals told me. A shaman is a healer who in theory, works with your spirit in an altered state of consciousness to access the spirit world- energies shall we call it, for the purposed of healing, clearing and power. The “clearing” was quite an experience- after about 15 minutes of Amazonian flora getting burnt with the smoking foliage remnants wafted around my head and body, lose wrist slaps across the shoulders and head (funny visual) to the beat of drums and the deep vocal oms of the Shaman, who’s eyes remained closed, with only the eerie white sclera of his eyes showing- my spiritual “cleanse” was complete. It was quite the witch doctor Amazonian experience. I was then walked into a tent full of shrunken heads- no not really hahaha. I was then introduced to a group of local women who were very keen to share all their knowledge of local herbs and flora with me. I remember thinking how this openness with their knowledge was in stark contrast to some of us westerners, who seem to lack that same generosity when it comes to sharing knowledge.
It was whist we were talking that i was first introduced to Nettle Tea. Although not originally from South America, but rather the northern Americas- the nettle plant has been naturalized in Brazil and other parts of South America.
Nettle Tea- is so nutritious you could almost think you were eating food!
Nettle supplies us with a good amount of nutrition and almost no calories. Rich in Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K and the minerals Iron, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Chlorine, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Selenium, Silica, Silicon, Sodium, Sulphur and Zinc. It’s hard to believe we don’t hear more of this little green wonder!
Great for weight loss! Nettles have an effect on our bodies by supplying serotonin and acetylcholine which are natural appetite suppressants, so by drinking nettles you can effectively curve your unhealthy eating habits. Nettles are great body detoxifiers; they cleanse the body- including the blood, helping us let go of all our unwanted fat and indigestible material.
Blood pressure! Nettle tea has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, and also has a diuretic effect on our systems, enabling us to lose much of our water fat, or water which gives us that chubby pudgy look.
Hair loss! Externally it has been used to improve the appearance of the hair, and is said to be a remedy against oily hair and dandruff. Hormonal studies show that when drank- nettle tea can inhibit androgen hormonal conversions in the body- It’s those conversions that lead to male pattern hair loss in both men and women, so the less conversions in this case- the better.
Prostatitis and Benign Prostrate hyperplasia
So we know nettle that has the ability to inhibit hormonal conversion within the body, hence- the latest area of research on nettle focuses on its usefulness for prostate inflammation (Prostatitis). Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues. And benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is an age-related non-malignant – enlargement of the prostate gland due to increased numbers of cells triggered to grow in the prostate. As men get older, hormone levels change- nettle inhibits the enzyme required for hormonal conversions in the body that can lead to BPH. There are also nutritional food choices that will affect the prostrate, including a number of minerals and vitamins you can take to reduce your chances of BPH or Prostatitis. A Nutritionist can help guide you with the right choices.
So based on all those vitamins and minerals listed that are within the humble nettle plant, this enables it to be ultra nutritive and beneficial on almost too many levels to believe:
| • adrenals • anaemia • aphrodisiac • arthritis • asthma • backache • baldness • bladder • bleeding • bronchitis • colds • constipation • correct blood sugar levels • dandruff • depression • diarrhoea • digestion • dizzy spells • dysentery • eczema • oedema • fatigue • fever • fluid retention • gall stones |
• gout • hay fever • headaches • heavy menstrual bleeding • haemorrhages • hysteria • insect bites • intestinal worms • iron deficiency • kidneys • leucorrhoea • low blood pressure • lowers blood sugar • lumbago • mood swings • menopausal problems • migraines • muscle power • nervous system • pre-menstrual stress • prostate • post-natal tonic • viral disease • strengthen pancreas |
• stomach problems • liver • lymphatic system • night sweats • neuralgia • neuritis • mucus • paralysis • phlegm • rheumatism • rickets • sciatica • stomach cramps • stomach ulcers • tendinitis • urinary problems • varicose veins • weight reduction • Thyroid |
Nettle tea is very easy to make, all you need is a pot of boiling water and some dried or fresh nettle leaves. Add the leaves to your boiling pot of water and let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain into cups if needed. In turn, you can simply place some nettle leaves into a large mug and add boiling water- let that infuse for 5 mins and drink it down!
If you would like any Nutritional or dietary assistance, please contact me
Kylie McCarthy -Nutritionist
For appointments with Kylie please phone 02 4655 4666 or email kyliem@cabothealth.com.au
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