ABOUT PLANT HEALING

I am beyond thrilled to share my first plant healing post. I am a student at The Gaia School of Healing in Southern California and has shifted the way I relate to the plant world and how I think about medicine. We learn in the Wise Woman Tradition which is based in honoring the natural, sacred rhythms of the Earth to tap into the wisdom held in the plants that surround us. It is also rooted in looking inward, listening to our bodies to tell us what type of healing is needed, both spiritually and physically. I hope you will feel inspired to connect with the plants around you and see what type of spiritual healing is there for you!

LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO THE FABULOUS NETTLE!

I knew immediately which plant to post about first: The wonderful, nourishing Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). I can’t explain how grateful I am to have connected with this plant spirit; It is like taking in the richness of the earth in green liquid form! Nettle is a nourishing herb which means it is packed with the minerals and vitamins our bodies need to function properly. By flooding the body with nourishment, nettle rebuilds the various systems of the body and restores nutrient deficiencies.

Rich in: vitamins K, A, vitamin B complex, magnesium, iron, chlorophyl, potassium, zinc, and other trace minerals

Nettles can help with the following:
Increase energy and fight fatigue
Balance hormones
Boost immunity
Improve digestion and nutrient absorption
Build healthy blood and circulatory system
Provide basic minerals to help systems operate efficiently
Help the body handle stress
Grow thicker, shiny hair
Gives glowing complexion
Strengthen respiratory system
Build and restores adrenal and kidney function
Prevents cancer
Alleviate menstrual cramps
Increase breast milk production
Help anemia (due to high iron content)
Help fight addiction and release emotions no longer useful

I will shout it from the hilltops: Nettles should be part of everyone’s life, especially if you live in an urban environment and/or are dealing with chronic stress. Our bodies are constantly being depleted of nutrients due to environmental and physical stress. Taking in a nourishing herb, like nettle, helps keep your systems balanced and healthy.

This is why I can’t recommend this enough for people with crazy lives. From first hand experience, trust me: you will feel so much better! Gentle nettle put me back together last year at a very stressful time. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, muddling through a demanding job and family drama. I drank nettle almost everyday for a month and throughout the process, I noticed subtle shifts; I was much calmer in the face of stressful situations, was able to sustain my energy, and damn, was my complexion bright and glowing! I became stronger, both physically and emotionally. It was such a blessing to realize that there is so much spirit medicine available in a plant!

In addition to the scientifically-backed physical benefits, nettle delivers energetic healing, especially to the root chakra, by aiding in creating healthy boundaries and a strong spiritual foundation. Nettle can grow in low quality soil and bring it back to health, which is a beautiful way to imagine how it helps the human body.

Nettle is known particularly for being a wonderful plant ally for women in all stages of life through stabilizing the reproductive system, building rich blood, and increasing cells’ ability to metabolize nutrients. It will alleviate menstrual cramps, support new mothers, and ease menopause, alike!

Nettle, like most nourishing herbs, grows wild and abundant and is one of the most sustainable herbs you can consume on a regular basis.  You can buy dried nettles at Mountain Rose Herbs or at your local health food store. You’ll want to buy loose leaf tea in bulk since small teabags don’t provide enough plant material to make infusions.

How to make nettle infusion:

1. Take a small fistful of plant material and throw it in a sturdy 1 quart glass jar (or fill up 1/4 of the jar with the herb if you’re not using qt size)
2. Pour boiling water, filling up the jar
3. Cover and let sit for a minimum of four hours, up to 10 hours. The longer it infuses, the more nutrients available.
4. Strain and drink up! Start out with 2-3 cups per day, but there’s really no recommended amount – just listen to your body.
5. Refrigerate any leftover infusion. Try to consume within 48 hours to prevent spoilage (I try to drink mine within 24 hours).

Nettle is very safe – just listen to your body. This class of herb works gradually, which is great because they can be taken safely for an extended period without side effects of harsher plants. The one thing I recommend is to drink plain water throughout the day since nettle can be slightly drying.

Do you love nettle? I would love it if you would share your experiences in the comments, below!