Stinging Nettle Herb?
Question:
Answers:
Yes it should help because nettles are quite rich in the mineral silica which is great for the hair for growth and strength of the follicular structure. But horsetail is an even better source of silica and tends to be the extract of choice for most hair supplements by virtue of the silica content.
Make sure also you get enough B Vitamins, zinc, protein and also iodine. The supplement MSM is also supposed to be great for the hair. It is rich in sulphur and sulphur forms an integral part of the hair structure.
An underactive thyroid gland can cause brittle hair. An hormonal imbalance can mess up the hair cycle causing the hair to fall out. If you are having problems with hair growth/fall out it might be a good idea to see a doctor/Endocrinologist to be sure everything is normal glandularly and hormonally with you.
Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Nettles tea has been used traditionally for many generations. The TEA is used as a hair RINSE when the hair is falling out. It is an anstringent tonic. Internally, nettles is a good source of MINERALS so if your hair loss is related to mineral loss, as in the case of chemotherapy or anorexia or other illness, it might be of some benefit. Most health food stores sell vitamin/supplement products marketed specifically for hair growth, like Shin-Min & Bao-Shi & Nutri-Hair.
Properties and Uses: Astringent, diuretic, alactagogue, hemostatic, tonic. The fresh juice or an infusion of the nettle plant has been used to stimulate the digestive system and to promote milk flow in nursing mothers. As an astringent it is also used for blood in the urine, hemorrhoids, and excessive menstrual flow. Nettle is a helpful remedy for ailments of the urinary tract and is said to reduce susuceptibility to rheumatic problems and colds. A decoction of the plant is good for diarrhea.** A decoction of the root is recommended for external use on the scalp for loss of hair. The fresh leaves have sometimes been used as a rubefacient, but severe irritation and blistering can result. Nettle can also be eaten as a vegetable, but old plants must be thoroughly cooked to be safe. Young plants in the spring can be used for salad or as a vegetable.
Scalp wash: Boil 3 to 4 oz. chopped leaves in 2 cups water and 2 cups vinegar for a short time.
Common Uses -
Helps body remove excess fluid, Relieves allergy symptoms, particularly hay fever.
Reduces inflammation. May ease prostate symptoms. Helps urinary tract infections
Strange as it may sound, the original interest in using nettle for medicinal purposes probably was inspired by the plant's ability to irritate exposed skin. Nettle leaves are covered with tiny hairs -- hollow needles actually -- that sting and burn upon contact. This effect was believed to be beneficial for joint pain (stinging oneself with nettle is an old folk remedy for arthritis), and for centuries nettle leaf poultices were applied to draw toxins from the skin.
Also considered a nutritious food, nettle leaves taste like spinach. They're particularly high in iron and other minerals and are rich in carotenoids and vitamin C. (Opt for young shoots, which have no stingers.) The plant often grows up to five feet high in parts of the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Nettle tea applied as a compress or nettle supplements taken orally may relieve inflamed joints, especially in people with gout. In addition, when taken internally, nettle has diuretic and antihistamine properties.
Nettle may be suitable for men with an enlarged prostate not caused by cancer. This condition, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), occurs when the prostate enlarges and narrows the urethra (the tube that transports urine out of the bladder), making urination difficult. Nettle may aid in slowing prostate growth.
More Questions & Answers...