Page 94 - Moonvalley Diaries

stinging nettles
the stinging nettle uprooted cut down and and thinned With its its rampant growth and and its its stinging leaves it it it it fit it doesn’t fit well well with our well-structured romantic ideas of what gardening life should be Some child always manages to to fall right right into a a a a a a a a a a a thicket of of nett- les
which of of course causes a a a a a a a a a a right right hullaba- loo Many people dread these metre-high plants that proliferate behind the the the house each year and devour everything in in in in in fin their path in- cluding fingers if you get too close Like the the carnivorous plant in fin in in in Little Shop of Horrors! You struggle to to subdue it it cutting and pulling only to to see bright new nettle shoots poking out of the the ground the the very next day So my suggestion – as with so many other things in in in in in life – instead of trying to subdue subdue something that just won’t be subdued love
1 Nutrition bomb: Nettles Nettles are are a a a a a a a a a a a a real vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin bomb bomb rich in in in in in in in in vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin C vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin E vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin vitamin K
and certain B vitamins Nettles are also mineral rich 2 Powerful antioxidant: Nettles have a a a a a a a a a a a high content of various bioactive substances
such as flavonoids quercetin ursolic acid and carotenoids 3 For fatigue anaemia and and sports perfor- mance: The high content of of iron iron and and vitamin C (needed for the the absorption of of iron) found in in nettles
makes them energising and particularly
the stinging nettle for what it it it it it is! Embrace it it it it it (not literally of of course) accept it it it it it eat it it it it it up! Because the the the stinging nettle is is is one of of the the the most nutrient-dense plants there is is is It is is is a a a a a a a a medici- nal plant plant with loads of healing properties and uses A A real superfood And to to think there is is enough of it to to go around for for everyone! Ask anyone for for permis- sion to clear the the the nettles
from their garden and I promise you they will rejoice Or just pick a a a a a a handful in in the the the the the woods Pick the the the the the small tender shoots as as as they taste best and and are the the the the most in- nocuous (a nettle burn releases histamines in in in in in your skin among other things so be careful if you’re sensitive and wear gloves until the the nettles
have been parboiled soaked or dried) Not fully convinced yet? Here are are five rea- sons to go and raid the nearest nettle thicket:
good if you are are at at at risk of anaemia Just like beets nettles
are are rich in in nitrate Nitrate is is is converted to nitric oxide oxide in in in the body Nitric oxide oxide is is a a a a a a a a vasodi- lator that provides significant benefits in in terms of blood flow metabolism and muscle function Nitrate-rich vegetables supplement the body’s own production of nitric oxide may in moonvalley
4 5 Purifying: Nettles are diuretic and and can help with urinary tract infections and and bloating Skincare: Nettle oil has traditionally been used as as a a a a a a a a a a a medicinal plant to relieve eczema dry skin insect bites and and dandruff /MIMMI
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