Nettles Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Metabolic Nature of Nettles

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry metabolic nature. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

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AGGRAVATES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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Other

Tissue (dhatu):

Bone

BONE

Bone tissue (Asthi Dhatu) includes the bones, hair, and nails.

SEE ALL 'BONE' FOODS / HERBS

Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

Family:

Urticaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Nettles
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

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Digestion:

Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

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Cleanse & Detox:

Antilithic

ANTILITHIC

An herb that dissolves / breaks up stones (gallstones or kidney stones) so that it can be passed.

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Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

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Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

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Nutritive

STRONG NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

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Skin Care & Beauty:

Vulnerary

VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

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Respiratory-Health:

Lung Tonic

LUNG-TONIC

Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.

SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

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Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

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Heart & Circulation:

Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

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Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

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Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney Tonic

KIDNEY-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the kidneys.

SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Urinary Tonic

URINARY-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the urinary system. These can be helpful for urinary incontinence or improving function after a urinary tract infection. They can also strengthen the bladder to ward off a urinary tract infection.

SEE ALL 'URINARY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:

Antiandrogen

ANTIANDROGEN

Reduces androgen (testosterone), which can reduce excess growth, drive, and libido. Reduces skin oiliness. Helpful for prostate enlargement.

SEE ALL 'ANTIANDROGEN' FOODS / HERBS

Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Partus Preparator

PARTUS-PREPARATOR

Prepares the uterus for labor & delivery, making contractions more effective. May also relax the mother, reduce pain, improve breast milk, stimulate contractions (oxytocin), build yang, and nourish blood.

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Promotes Virility

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

Encourages virility and potency.

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS

Testosteronic

TESTOSTERONIC

Androgenic. Stimulates testosterone.

SEE ALL 'TESTOSTERONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bone & Joint:

Bone Tonic

BONE-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the bones and joints.

SEE ALL 'BONE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Hair Growth Tonic

HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC

An herb or formula that encourages healthy hair growth.

SEE ALL 'HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

5a Reductase Inhibitor,

Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

, Silica Salts

Foods with a Similar Nature to Nettles

Stinging Nettles

Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common
Urinary-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Appetite-suppressant, Builds-stamina, Hair-growth-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, Testosteronic, Vulnerary, Antiandrogen, Blood-tonic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Kidney-tonic, Partus-preparator, Spleen-tonic, Tonic, Alterative, Antilithic, Bone-tonic, Galactagogue, Immune-calming, Lung-tonic, Promotes-virility, Strengthens-resolve
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Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Testosteronic, Anti-inflammatory, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Vulnerary, Antilithic, Hair-growth-tonic, Spleen-tonic
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Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Bone-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Antiandrogen, Hair-growth-tonic, Spleen-tonic, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Immune-calming, Vulnerary
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Alfalfa Sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Urinary-tonic, Antilithic, Diuretic, Nutritive, Appetite-suppressant, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic
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Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Bone-tonic, Spleen-tonic, Antiandrogen, Immune-calming, Vulnerary, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant
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Chickweed

Chickweed has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Vulnerary, Appetite-suppressant, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Nutritive
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Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common
Bone-tonic, Nutritive, Tonic, Builds-stamina, Promotes-virility, Blood-tonic, Galactagogue, Satisfies-stomach
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Sesame Oil

Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common
Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Blood-tonic, Galactagogue, Promotes-virility, Bone-tonic, Hair-growth-tonic, Tonic
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Tahini

Tahini has these Actions in Common
Bone-tonic, Nutritive, Tonic, Builds-stamina, Promotes-virility, Blood-tonic, Galactagogue, Satisfies-stomach
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Pomegranate

Pomegranate has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, Spleen-tonic, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Hemostatic, Nutritive
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Carrot

Carrot has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, Lung-tonic, Alterative, Diuretic, Nutritive, Antilithic, Internal-detoxicant, Tonic
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Nettles

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Urinary-tonic, Galactagogue, Vulnerary, Immune-calming, Alterative, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, Promotes-virility, Blood-tonic, Strengthens-resolve, Bone-tonic, Testosteronic, Builds-stamina, Tonic
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Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common
Antilithic, Tonic, Blood-tonic, Urinary-tonic, Builds-stamina, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Kidney-tonic, Alterative, Lung-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Promotes-virility
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Manjistha

Manjistha has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Spleen-tonic, Antiandrogen, Vulnerary, Antilithic, Blood-tonic, Bone-tonic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Alterative, Internal-detoxicant
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Horsetail

Horsetail has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Urinary-tonic, Antilithic, Vulnerary, Bone-tonic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Kidney-tonic
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Red Clover

Red Clover has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Lung-tonic, Alterative, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Antiandrogen, Antilithic, Bone-tonic, Diuretic
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Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common
Tonic, Diuretic, Urinary-tonic, Galactagogue, Kidney-tonic, Nutritive, Spleen-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Testosteronic, Antiandrogen
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Cornsilk

Cornsilk has these Actions in Common
Nutritive, Urinary-tonic, Alterative, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Internal-detoxicant
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Bhringaraj

Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Hair-growth-tonic, Hemostatic, Immune-calming, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Blood-tonic, Bone-tonic
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Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, Hair-growth-tonic, Hemostatic, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Alterative, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory
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Anantamul

Anantamul has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Galactagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Kidney-tonic, Tonic, Urinary-tonic, Alterative, Blood-tonic
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Gokshura

Gokshura has these Actions in Common
Antilithic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Testosteronic, Tonic, Urinary-tonic, Alterative
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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Nettles (Urtica dioca)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Suggested Use

Metabolic Nature of Nettles

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

BONE

RED-BLOOD

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Nettles Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

SPLEEN-TONIC

ANTILITHIC

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

BUILDS-STAMINA

SATISFIES-STOMACH

STRONG NUTRITIVE

TONIC

VULNERARY

LUNG-TONIC

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

IMMUNE-CALMING

ALTERATIVE

BLOOD-TONIC

HEMOSTATIC

DIURETIC

KIDNEY-TONIC

URINARY-TONIC

ANTIANDROGEN

GALACTAGOGUE

PARTUS-PREPARATOR

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

TESTOSTERONIC

BONE-TONIC

HAIR-GROWTH-TONIC

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Foods with a Similar Nature to Nettles

Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Alfalfa Sprouts has these Actions in Common

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Chickweed has these Actions in Common

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

Tahini has these Actions in Common

Pomegranate has these Actions in Common

Carrot has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Nettles

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Manjistha has these Actions in Common

Horsetail has these Actions in Common

Red Clover has these Actions in Common

Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Anantamul has these Actions in Common

Gokshura has these Actions in Common

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Heart, Blood & Circulation

Diet

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Nettles
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS