Seasonal allergies ~ Part 1

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? It seems like spring and fall often bring on allergic reactions in many people. If those allergies aren’t addressed, they can sometimes lead to sinus infections or worse!

Here in Tennessee, Goldenrod is already in full bloom – we’re a bit ahead of schedule!  The signs found in nature are indicating that we may have an early fall and a hard winter. I’d like to share some natural remedies that have helped our family over the years during both seasons. I’ll try to cover one or two remedies  per post.

One of the most important aspects of treating allergies with natural remedies is to begin treatment about two weeks before allergy season begins and continue treatment until about 2 weeks after allergy season  ends.

Stinging Nettles is one of my favorite herbs. Now there are some that would call them a weed….but I have found that many “weeds” are truly wonderful medicinal herbs such as dandelion, plantain and chickweed!

Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) is a perennial plant. It grows from 1 to 4 feet high. I usually find them about 2 1/2 feet tall. It has oval leaves. The stems are covered with tiny stiff stinging hairs. The flowers hang in long clusters. One of the really interesting things is that Nettles has male and female flowers that usually appear on different plants…i.e. one plant will have male flowers and one female flowers. You will find them growing in moist shady areas. They grow prolifically on our mountain!

And because I think it always helps to identify a plant if you can see it…..

The sting from nettles comes from hairs that are like sharp spines. These spines are hollow and come from a swollen “base”. This base holds the “venom” which some feel is bicarbonate of ammonia while others think it is formic acid. All I know for sure is that it STINGS!

However heating (cooking) or drying this plant destroys the ability to sting. Here is a picture that lets you see the “stingers” up close. All it takes is to gently brush against this plant to feel the effect! I imagine a paintbrush (thousands of little fibers) tipped with fire! Rule of thumb in our home, wear long pants when in the woods, on the way to the creek or on our mountain!

Many cultures gather Nettles in the early spring to be cooked and eaten as a “spring tonic”. It is very nutritious. Nettles is high in Vitamins C and A, calcium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, fiber and very high in protein. Nettles is also used for its fiber… which is similar to flax or hemp.

You want to harvest the  tops – about the top 6 inches – from plants that are shorter than your knees. Some recommend harvesting the leaves before flowering and others during flowering. I now prefer to harvest before flowering because those younger plants are easier on your stomach and kidneys.

When you gather Nettles be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves and gloves. In other words, don’t let it touch your skin until it is dried or cooked! However, if you forget and get “stung” you can rub the stings with plantain, jewelweed, rosemary or the juice of the nettle plant itself! It is amazing to me that Abba placed the cure for the sting in the plant itself! You never have to look anyplace else for the cure!! It has been said that people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism actually find relief from pain by allowing the Nettles to sting them….

Now…for the important part…how do we use Nettles? Nettles is a wonderful diuretic so we drink nettle tea if we think we are embarking on a kidney infection or urinary tract infection. It has been shown to increase the efficiency of the function of the liver and kidneys. Drinking Nettle tea stimulates circulation and helps to cleanse arthritis, rheumatism, gout and eczema from the system. It increases milk flow in nursing mothers! It is also a blood purifier.

We tincture Nettles in different combinations (depending on the use) for arthritis relief and as a relief from allergies. Nettles is also used for asthma, bronchitis, and hay-fever. We find that the Nettles tincture helps with that week or two of spring sniffles when all the earth begins to bloom.

I also make capsules of dried Nettles.  Sometimes, it is not possible to utilize a tincture in public easily.  But, taking a capsule is very common in society today. Nobody blinks an eye!

We can use Nettles in a compress for painful joints, sprains, tendinitis and sciatica.

Combine Nettles with Burdock for the treatment of eczema! I have often wondered if an ointment made from these two herbs would be a good topical treatment, in lieu of a compress or poultice, for eczema.

We also make an infusion with Nettles by pouring a cup of almost boiling water over 3 teaspoons of dried Nettles and leave this, covered, to infuse for about 15 minutes. We drink this three times a day to treat seasonal allergies.

Remember! Nettles acts as a diuretic, no matter which form you use…tincture, capsules or tea. So…be prepared! We add a potassium supplement to our daily regimen while taking nettles since the diuretic action of nettles can deplete our potassium.

I hope I have helped you to see that Nettles offers us many benefits that far outweigh the “sting” factor! It constantly amazes me what wonderful treasures our Father created to attend to all of our health needs. Nettles is such a beneficial plant, I urge you to grow some in a corner of your homestead or find them in your area. You can also order them already dried (no stings involved!) from Mountain Rose Herbs (affiliate link) which is listed to the right on my sidebar!

Remember…when using herbs for medicinal purposes, it is essential to use organic herbs!

And, as always, consult your physician or health care practitioner before adding herbs to your regimen!

Blessings,