It’s a plant that we instinctively tend to avoid because of its sting. In the best case scenario, we just walk by, ignoring it. But despite its unappealing “first impression”, nettles are friendlier for your body than you might think: they contain plenty of nutrients, and they have been used to treat a variety of issues for centuries – including urinary problems in both women and men. Stay with us and find out some of the most surprising positive effects the nettle has on health!
・Nettle is a good source of vitamins A and C, minerals such as iron and calcium, and antioxidants. These nutrients have various health benefits.
・Vitamin A is important for vision, skin health, and immunity.
・Vitamin C helps to protect cells from damage and is necessary for wound healing.
・Iron is essential for making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.
・Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth.
・The antioxidants in nettle may help to protect against some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.
・Nettle also has anti-inflammatory properties and may be helpful in conditions such as arthritis and allergies.
・Besides this, nettles are known for supporting a healthy urinary system, especially for men.
If you are a male who has an enlarged prostate, you may experience symptoms such as difficulty urinating, a weak stream of urine, and a feeling of not being able to empty your bladder. If you have these symptoms, stinging nettle may be able to help. The active ingredient in stinging nettle is a substance called beta-sitosterol. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, this substance has been shown to block the production of testosterone, which can shrink the size of the prostate. In addition, stinging nettle contains other compounds that can help to reduce inflammation and improve urinary flow.
Movember
“EARLY DETECTION IS KEY. The difference between early detection and late detection can be life and death.” – Movember.com
The stigma that surrounds men’s health leads to serious health issues being ignored. Movember is an annual event that raises awareness of prostate cancer and other male health issues. During Movember, men grow moustaches to show their support for the cause. There are many ways to get involved in Movember. You can grow a moustache (recommended for males only), donate money to the cause, or simply spread the word about Movember and prostate cancer awareness.
No matter how you choose to participate, remember that regular medical checks can identify serious diseases like prostate cancer, which is the second most common cancer in men. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is most common in older men, with more than 60% of cases diagnosed in men aged 65 or over.
The organisation also shares a useful prostate cancer symptoms guide. So if you or your male friends or relatives are experiencing these symptoms, don’t postpone that visit to your doctor!
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:
・A frequent need to urinate, especially at night
・An inability to start urinating or to hold back urine
・Urine flow is weak or interrupted
・A burning or painful sensation when urinating
・The inability to get an erection
・Intense pain during ejaculation
・The presence of blood in the urine or semen
・Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, nettle has antiproliferative effects in prostate cancer cells, may protect against cisplatin-induced toxicity, enhance paclitaxel sensitivity or increase cisplatin cytotoxicity. Even though there have been limited studies on humans, results have shown that nettle may be beneficial in osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, and hand; gonarthritis; and symptoms associated with benign prostatic syndrome.
So considering all these health benefits, you shouldn’t hesitate to introduce nettles into your diet – whether as a fresh plant, tea, or supplement. Although they sting when you pick them, they taste particularly good when you cook them!
How to cook them? The next time you find young nettles in the wild or in the supermarket, give them a chance and you won’t regret it! Use gloves to avoid being stung and prepare a healthy, delicious, and detoxifying quick meal:
Ingredients:
・500g young nettles (only the tips of the plant)
・1 onion
・2 garlic cloves
・1 tb coconut oil
▻ Wash nettles well, using some gloves. Once you’ve cleaned them of any impurities, blanch them in a pot of boiling salted water.
▻ Leave the nettles to boil for five minutes.
▻ Chop the onion and garlic cloves.
▻ When the nettles have cooked, drain them of water and chop them finely – either with a knife, blender, or food processor.
Tip: The water in which they were cooked is full of nutrients, so you can consume it as a health booster.
In a frying pan, caramelise the onion in oil until translucent. Add chopped nettles, a tablespoon of flour, and minced garlic. Add salt to taste, and the cup of water in which the nettles were cooked. Stir continuously so that the food doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. It’s ready when the mixture thickens.
Serve the nettle dish warm with rice or porridge.
Nettles are the greens that, just like spinach, are best for consumption as young plants in spring. But their contribution is necessary for our bodies all year long – especially in the cold season, when we need to fight harder to stay strong. Moreover, their properties make them an effective support in fighting health issues, no matter the season. If you are interested in trying stinging nettle for your prostate issues, you can consume them as tea or as a clean, concentrated extract, such as the 10:1 Organic Nettle Extract from Vimergy.
When opting for a supplement, always consult your doctor before consumption.
