Nettle, the Little Beast with a Heart of Gold

This little plant, best known for the vicious sting caused by the formic acid in its hairy leaves, and considered by many a major nuisance, is one of natures best nutraceutals. It’s wide variety of minerals and vitamins makes it a highly nutritious pot herb as well as a well known remedy for respiratory ailments. Taken long term, it has been credited with alleviating allergies.

A novel use of the nettle plant was as a counter-irritant in rheumatic cases. The afflicted person was "whipped" on the rheumatic joint with whole plants. The idea was that the pain of nettle stings would make the sufferer forget the pain of the rheumatism. A little more scientific use of nettle for rheumatism and arthritis is the drinking of tea made from either the leaves or whole plant. Nettle is an excellent diuretic which reduces and expels the uric acid that causes much of the pain of arthritis, gout and other joint afflictions. It is rich in potassium and many other minerals needed to keep the electrolytes balanced when taking a diuretic, so there’s no need for added supplements, and no danger of becoming potassium deficient.

Hyssop

Though not widely used by the herbalist community, hyssop's antispasmodic action makes it an excellent herb to treat asthma, cough and bronchitis. It can be used as a gargle for sore throat, or in a bath for rheumatism or made into a salve for a chest rub to relieve congestion.

It can be blended with herbs more commonly used to treat colds, such as echinacea, elder flowers, mullein or yarrow to make these herbs more effective.