As part of NettleFest 2021, we shared the use of nettle medicine. Watch the full recording here.
Urtication, or nettle sting therapy, is sworn by some to help their osteoarthritic joint pain. A recent trial using this therapy on 27 patients for thumb joint pain showed it was potentially more effective than placebo (1).
However, we are not all that brave, so nettle seeds have been used by herbalists instead to create a warming, circulatory sensation that eases aches and pains. Gather the seeds fresh and green at the end of summer, dry, and infuse into oil to create topical remedies such as a massage oil or the base of a balm.
Identification of the nettle seed can be found here. Nettles have separate male and female plants, so you need to know your nettles to tell them apart. Thanks to herbalist Chrsitina Stapely for teaching us this.
Nettle seed joint balm
2 tablespoons of dried, green nettle seed
110mls of light base oil such as almond or canola
150ml mason jar, or old clean jam jar
20g beeswax
100ml ointment jar or small recycled jam jar
Place the seeds and oil in the mason jar, label, and date. Leave on a sunny windowsill to infuse for 2 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
[For an extra-strong oil, strain, add more seeds and repeat]
Take the strained oil (should be around 100 ml) and place in a bain-marie (a heat-proof bowl suspended over a pan of gently simmering water) .
Add the beeswax and heat gently until the wax dissolves, then stir well and pour into your small, clean ointment jar.
Leave to set, label and date.
TO USE: Apply topically, as needed. Patch test in a small area 48 hours before, to check for any sensitivities or allergies.
SHELF LIFE: will keep up to one year in a cool dark place. Discard if it smells rancid.
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Thank you to Tina Stapley, the herbalst who originally taught us this method.
If you have any medical queries, conditions etc., seek the advice of a herbalist first.
(1) Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, Hutton C, Sanders H. Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. J R Soc Med. 2000 Jun;93(6):305-9. doi: 10.1177/014107680009300607. PMID: 10911825; PMCID: PMC1298033. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10911825/