Nettle tea, its nutritional profile, biological activity, health benefits, therapeutic uses and risk factors
Description : Tea prepared from nettle leaves is known as nettle tea and it has been extensively used for various
Article Details :
Tea prepared from nettle leaves is known as nettle tea and it has been extensively used for various therapeutic purposes. Basically nettle is a nutritious shrub and its root, stem and leaves can be crushed for preparing powder, teas, creams, tinctures etc.
Nutritional profile
- It is packed with micronutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, potassium and magnesium
- It also contains various polyphenolic components and flavonoids that exert several nutraceutical activities
How nettle tea is prepared?
- At first water should be added to nettle tea leaves and it should be boiled
- Then the stove should be turned off and it should be left for five minutes
- After that it should be poured through small strainer
- Finally it can be consumed by adding a bit of honey and cinnamon
Biological activity
Antioxidant activity
- Its micronutrient components, flavonoids and polyphenolic components act as antioxidant and play vital role in protecting the body from oxidative damages by reducing the concentration of free radicals and reactive oxygen species
- It is also associated with protecting various important biological substances of body from oxidation as a result helps in sustaining their activity whereas it helps in preventing cellular damages as well, thus its consumption is thought to be very much helpful for promoting wellbeing
Anti-inflammatory activity
- It is extremely helpful for decreasing the susceptibility of developing chronic inflammatory diseases as it helps in delaying the onset of inflammatory events within body
- It plays vital role in decreasing the concentration of inflammatory mediators in body and also reduces the level of inflammatory hormones, which ultimately helps in preventing inflammation
- It is very effective for improving the symptoms of arthritis too
Anti-carcinogenic activity
- It plays significant role in decreasing the risk of developing cancers and also protects the body from the harmful effects of carcinogens
- Its flavonoid component, antioxidants and polyphenolic components are considered as the main constituents accountable for exhibiting anti-carcinogenic activity
- Its consumption is closely related with suppressing malignant cell growth within body, whereas it helps in preventing metastasis too
- It significantly decreases the prevalence of leukemia, breast cancer and prostate cancer
Antimicrobial activity
Its polyphenolic components are responsible for exerting potent antimicrobial activity, which helps to hinder the growth as well as the replication of microbial cells within host. Thus it is better to have at least one cup of nettle tea daily in order to lowering the risk of developing infectious diseases
Diuretic activity
- It acts as an important natural diuretic, which helps in eliminating excess water as well as toxins from body
- It helps in eliminating excess salt as well
Health benefits
Role on immunity
- It plays vital role in boosting up the overall immunity of the body thus its consumption is thought to be very useful for reducing the susceptibility of becoming ill
- Its antioxidant activity is responsible for protecting the immune system from damages, which also helps in strengthening the immunity
- Its Vitamin C component helps in enhancing the synthesis of WBC, which helps to make the body able to fight against infections
- It is also associated with stimulating the production of T cell
Role on prostate health
- Consumption of nettle tea is very helpful for preventing enlarged prostate symptoms
- An enlarged prostate also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is responsible for developing various complications as well as discomfort during urination. It may also develop urinary tract infection, bladder stones and can severely damage the bladder as well as the kidney
- Nettle plays significant role in decreasing these complications as it helps in reducing the size of prostate and it also helps in treating urinary problems (short term and long term) without any side effects
Role on skeletal health
- Consumption of nettle tea is very beneficial for maintaining a healthy skeletal system because it contains various important nutrients like amino acids, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, silicon and flavonoids, all of these nutrients are Read more
