A number of herbal allies are especially well-suited for spring—alterative herbs being one of our favorites. Alterative herbs are a great support to the liver and are useful for gentle cleansing and detoxification. The great news is that they can be incorporated into your daily wellness routine with simple recipes, like nettle vinegar, to help the body transition from the winter season to spring.
An Introduction to Alterative Herbs
Alterative herbs are often referred to as “blood purifiers.” These herbs tend to have nutritional properties, support detoxification processes, and work to tonify and restore tissues throughout the body (Priest & Priest, 1982). Herbalist David Hoffmann explains that alteratives “gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality” (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 23).
Alterative herbs include (not an exhaustive list):
- Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) leaf
- Burdock (Arctium lappa) root
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf and root
- Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf
- Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) root
- Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) root
Alterative herbs can be consumed as foods or simple herbal preparations, which makes them fairly easy to include as part of a daily regimen. Since Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine often attribute liver congestion to heat trapped in the liver, you’ll find that many alterative herbs are cooling in nature and are used to aid the body in clearing trapped heat and improving liver function.
In this article, we’d like to share a recipe for Nettle Vinegar to help gently cleanse the body and support the liver. This recipe comes from our FREE ebook, Herbal Support for Spring: How to Cleanse, Detox, and Refresh. In it,we dive into the topic of spring cleansing and detoxing and how herbs can assist us during this seasonal renewal. We will look deeply at the custom of spring cleansing and examine how herbal and lifestyle practices can assist during this time. We’ll also review 6 herbs you can use to support your body during the spring season, and we offer 9 restorative recipes.
You can download this ebook for FREE right here: https://theherbalacademy.com/get-herbal-support-spring-ebook-herbal-academy/
Nettle Vinegar
Nettle vinegar utilizes the nourishing aspects of nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf and provides a simple way to include this herb in your diet on a regular basis.
You will need a non-reactive container like a glass jar, and ideally, a non-reactive lid because vinegar can corrode metal. If a non-reactive lid cannot be procured, place a piece of parchment paper between the jar and the lid.
This recipe comes from the Cooking with the Seasons, Spring Edition ebook in The Herbarium.
Nettle Vinegar
Ingredients
Dried nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf
Raw, unpasteurized organic apple cider vinegar
Directions
- Fill a clean, dry glass jar ¼ full of dried nettle leaf.
- Pour enough apple cider vinegar to fill the jar, ensuring nettle leaf is covered by a couple of inches.
- Cover the jar with a small piece of parchment paper to prevent the vinegar coming into contact with any metal, and cap with a lid.
- Let this mixture sit in a cool, dark location for 3-6 weeks and shake occasionally. During this time, the dried nettle may soak up some of the vinegar. Check the jar occasionally and add extra vinegar as needed to prevent the herb from poking out above the liquid.
- Strain and reserve the nettle vinegar to use in a vinaigrette dressing recipe of your choice. You may also use this vinegar in the same way as you would use regular apple cider vinegar, such as mixing into refreshing beverages, including in marinades, and adding a splash to soups. You can even dilute it and use it as a facial toner or hair rinse!
- If stored properly in a cool, dark cabinet, your Nettle Vinegar should last a year.
Herbal Support for Spring: How to Cleanse, Detox, and Refresh
If you would like to learn more about herbs for spring cleansing and detoxing, and also get your hands on some lovely seasonal recipes, then be sure to download our free ebook, Herbal Support for Spring: How to Cleanse, Detox, and Refresh!
This 64-page ebook is full of helpful herbal information, beautiful photos, and practical lifestyle tips to help you live your best life during spring. Enjoy!
You can download Herbal Support for Spring: How to Cleanse, Detox, and Refresh for free here: https://theherbalacademy.com/get-herbal-support-spring-ebook-herbal-academy/
REFERENCES
Hoffmann, D. (1998). The herbal handbook: A user’s guide to medical herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
Priest, A.W., & Priest, L.R. (1982). Herbal medication: A clinical and dispensary handbook. London, United Kingdom: L.N. Fowler & Company, Ltd.
FAQs
Nettle vinegar is a great choice for spring eating as its bitter and sour effects has a detoxifying effect on the liver, while the nutrient profile helps to nourish and restore our tissues. Nettles are rich in iron, calcium, and potassium while also providing a good source of B vitamins, vitamins A, C, D, and K.
What can I substitute nettle with? ›
Nettle Substitute
Surprise, surprise: The best substitute for cooked nettle is cooked spinach. The two greens can be used in almost the same exact ways.
Is apple cider vinegar good for nettle stings? ›
Home remedies such as applying a paste made from bicarbonate of soda and water or bathing your pet in oat baths can offer supportive care by reducing itching and inflammation. Apple cider vinegar rinses can also help to soothe irritated skin.
How do you make stinging nettle water? ›
Making stinging nettle tea
Simply add the nettle leaves to the water and bring to the boil. The tea can be made stronger or weaker by adding more, or less, water. Once the water has been simmering for a few minutes strain the mixture into a cup, being sure that no nettles go through the strainer.
What does nettle do to the body? ›
Anti-inflammatory activity. Nettles are useful for a variety of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and chronic myalgia. Nettle tea or herbal supplements have been shown to effectively treat gout, relieve muscle aches and minimize the symptoms of arthritis.
What does nettle detox? ›
Nettle tea is a natural diuretic that promotes proper fluid flow in the kidneys and bladder, preventing kidney stones from forming. According to research, nettle tea can help flush toxins from the urinary tract as well as support the medications used to treat urinary tract infections.
What are the negative side effects of nettle? ›
Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash.
What does nettle do for a woman? ›
This nutrient-dense herb has a wide-array of uses, but today we want to take a closer look specifically at how it's been used to treat issues of women's health. From treating UTIs and painful menstruation, to mitigating and preventing osteoporosis, the nettle plant is an ally not to be overlooked.
What Cannot be taken with nettle? ›
Interactions ?
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with STINGING NETTLE. Stinging nettle might lower blood sugar levels. ...
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with STINGING NETTLE. ...
- Lithium interacts with STINGING NETTLE. ...
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with STINGING NETTLE.
Applying the crushed stem of this plant to the affected area soothes the irritated skin. Another method for alleviating the pain is to apply a mixture of baking soda and water. Rubbing human saliva on the stung area can lessen the pain as well.
The theory is that the acidity of vinegar can help neutralize the alkalinity of wasp stings. The opposite is true of bee stings, which are more acidic. To use vinegar on wasp stings, soak a cotton ball with apple cider or white vinegar and place it on top of the affected area of skin.
Does rubbing alcohol help stinging nettle? ›
The chemicals in the stinging hairs that cause the irritation are acetylcholine, histamine, and serotonin. Some suggest that applying rubbing alcohol to the affected area can relieve irritation.
Who should not drink nettle tea? ›
Avoid if you're pregnant or breastfeeding because there isn't enough information on its safety. Use with caution if you're elderly because of the potential of causing low blood pressure. And use stinging nettle with caution if you have diabetes because of the potential that it may lower or raise blood sugar levels.
How to use nettles for arthritis? ›
You can apply stinging nettle to the skin around the painful area. Common side-effects include itching and a tingling sensation. Because it can be applied to the skin, it's unlikely that it'll affect other medications.
How to make homemade nettle tea? ›
-Clean your nettles under cold running water and place into a tea pot or tea strainer to brew. – Allow the nettle tea to brew for 2-3 mins in hot water before straining and serving. You can also make cold brewed nettle tea by leaving chopped nettles in a 500ml of water overnight.
Who should not drink nettle? ›
Pregnant women should avoid consuming stinging nettle because it may trigger uterine contractions, which can raise the risk of a miscarriage (41). Speak to your doctor before consuming stinging nettle if you're taking one of the following: Blood thinners. Blood pressure medication.
What is nettle used to treat? ›
Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).
What does nettle do to lungs? ›
As a lung tonic nettles has been used for asthma, mucus conditions of the lungs, and chronic coughs. Nettle tincture is also used for flu, colds, bronchitis and pneumonia. Indigenous to southern Europe and southwest Asia, fenugreek is an annual herb with aromatic seeds.
What are the side effects of stinging nettle herb? ›
It might cause diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach in some people. When applied to the skin: Stinging nettle is possibly safe. Touching the stinging nettle plant can cause skin irritation. Pregnancy: Stinging nettle is likely unsafe to take during pregnancy.
