2024 Avtor: Cecilia Ryder | [email protected]. Nazadnje spremenjeno: 2023-12-17 14:23
Koprive (znane tudi kot koprive) so osnovno zdravilo v tradicionalni zeliščni medicini in se v glavnem uporabljajo za zdravljenje alergij, vnetij in težav s plodnostjo. Starodavni Egipčani naj bi uporabljali to vseprisotno zelišče za zdravljenje artritisa in bolečin v križu (1). Že stoletja se uporablja zaradi svojih zdravilnih lastnosti.
Pitje čaja iz koprive lahko pomaga pri spopadanju s številnimi boleznimi. Ta zeliščni čaj ima številne koristi za zdravje, kot je spodbujanje rasti las, zmanjšanje alergij in astme, pomoč pri obvladovanju sladkorja v krvi in krepitev zdravja sečil.
V tem članku se naučimo nekaj več o koristih koprive.
Kazalo
- Kaj je kopriva?
- Kakšne so zdravstvene koristi koprive?
- Prehranski profil kopriv
- Kako ga porabiti
- Kako pripraviti čaj iz koprive
- Kakšni so stranski učinki koprive?
Kaj je kopriva?
Kopriva (Urtica dioica) je bila že od nekdaj osnovno rastlinsko zdravilo (2). Ima eksotični biokemični profil. Raste v blagem do zmernem podnebju po vsem svetu - zlasti v krajih z veliko vlage. Nekatere vrste kopriv lahko pogosto najdete v gozdovih, ob rekah ali potokih in ob cestah.
Njeno znanstveno ime Urtica dioica izvira iz latinske besede uro, kar pomeni "goreti", ker lahko njeni listi ob stiku povzročijo začasno pekoč občutek. Te rastline (ali pleveli) izvirajo iz Mehike, Italije, Nepala, Indije, Kitajske, Rusije, Nizozemske, Severne Amerike in nekaterih delov Afrike. Nekatere vrste kopriv, zlasti kopriva, imajo dlake na listih in na zračnih delih. Nekateri od teh tudi pikajo! Od tod tudi ime (1).
Listi so gosto prekriti z zbodljivimi dlačicami, ki sproščajo toksine, ki povzročajo bolečino (1).
Ko človeška koža pride v stik z listom ali steblom koprive, hitro razvije rdečkaste lise, ki srbijo in pečejo. Dlake ali trihomi rastline so naravno zasnovani za zaščito rastline pred žuželkami.
Vendar pa je uživanje te čarobne rastline po obdelavi varno. Naslednje poglavje govori o prednostih koprive. Začnite se pomikati!
Kakšne so zdravstvene koristi koprive?
1. Lahko poveča rast in moč las
Tradicionalna medicina je uporabljala vrste Urtica za spodbujanje rasti las. Študija je raziskala to lastnost koprive (Urtica dioica) s kombinacijo zeliščnih izvlečkov. Ta rastlinski pripravek je povečal širjenje človeških dermalnih celic papile (3).
Β-sitosterol v koprivi sproži nastanek novih krvnih žil (angiogeneza). Spodbuja sintezo vaskularnega endotelijskega rastnega faktorja (VEGF) in podpira novo rast las (3).
Listi in korenine kopriv uravnavajo aktivnost spolnih hormonov in njihovih substratov. Pomagajo nadzorovati izpadanje las (alopecija) pri moških in ženskah s hormonskim neravnovesjem (4).
2. Lahko zdravi seneno vročino, astmo in alergije
Seneni nahod ali alergijski rinitis povzročajo cvetni prah, pršice, plesen, spore gliv, ščurki in perje. Drugi vzroki so občutljivost na hrano, presnovne bolezni in nekatera zdravila. Njeni simptomi vključujejo kihanje, zamašenost nosu, srbenje, solzenje (nenehno solzenje), glavobol, suha usta, zaspanost, utrujenost in srčno aritmijo (5).
Tu lahko na pomoč priskoči alternativna medicina (5), (6). Kopriva (Urtica dioica) vsebuje nikotinamid, sinefrin in osthole z močnimi protivnetnimi in antialergenimi lastnostmi.
Te fitokemikalije kažejo antagonistično aktivnost proti vnetnim histaminskim receptorjem, kar blokira proizvodnjo in sproščanje histamina (5). Prav tako motijo delovanje protivnetnih celic, kemičnih sporočil in nadzornih genov (5).
Zdravniki bi morali kot alternativo običajnim zdravilom preučiti uporabo alternativne medicine za zdravljenje akutnih in kroničnih motenj, kot so astma, alergije dihalnih poti itd. (6).
3. Lahko pomaga pri obvladovanju težav s prostato
Prekomerna rast prostate (benigna hiperplazija prostate) poveča pritisk na sečnico. To onemogoči sečni sistem in s staranjem povzroči več kroničnih motenj (7).
V študijah na podganah je kopriva pokazala izboljšanje težav s prostato. Ekstrakti korenin koprive zavirajo aromatazo, encim, ki pretvori testosteron v estrogen. Estrogen je tesno povezan z boleznimi prostate (7).
Druge študije dokazujejo antiproliferativne lastnosti korenine koprive v človeških rakavih celicah. 20-odstotni alkoholni izvleček korenine koprive je v sedemdnevnem ciklusu zmanjšal rast rakavih epitelijskih celic prostate (8).
4. Lahko zmanjša vnetje
Izvleček koprive vsebuje protivnetno snov, ki lahko zavira več citokinov pri vnetnih sklepnih boleznih (9).
Po drugi študiji se zdi, da uporaba lista koprive lajša osteoartritične bolečine (10). Kopriva je zmanjšala raven več vnetnih hormonov tako, da je motila njihovo proizvodnjo (11).
Vendar pa je potrebnih več raziskav in študij na ljudeh, da bi koprivo priporočili kot protivnetno zdravljenje.
5. Lahko zniža krvni tlak
Kopriva se je tradicionalno uporabljala za zdravljenje visokega krvnega tlaka (12). Ugotovljeno je bilo, da ima izvleček koprive antihipertenzivne učinke.
Lahko pomaga znižati krvni tlak tako, da se krvne žile sprostijo in zmanjša silo krčenja srca. Za potrditev teh učinkov je potrebnih več študij na ljudeh.
6. Lahko pomaga pri nadzoru sladkorja v krvi
Kopriva je pokazala nekaj obetavnih učinkov na raven glukoze v krvi. Tradicionalna medicina uporablja liste koprive za zdravljenje diabetesa mellitusa zaradi njihovih antihiperglikemičnih lastnosti (13).
Vendar pa je za ugotavljanje varnosti in učinkovitosti listov koprive pri nadzoru ravni sladkorja v krvi potrebnih več raziskav na ljudeh.
7. Maj spremlja zdravje srca in jeter
V študiji na podganah leta 2018 je dajanje 150 mg / kg / dan ekstrakta koprive en mesec izboljšalo krvni lipidni profil. Izvleček koprive je deloval veliko bolje kot komercialni sintetični drog (14).
Izvleček koprive poveča antioksidativne mehanizme v telesu in s tem prepreči (in konča) lipidno peroksidacijo. Uravnotežen lipidni profil in zdrava jetra zmanjšujejo tveganje za bolezni, ki jih povzročajo hiperholesterolemija (15).
Hypercholesterolemia is linked to atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. Nettle leaf helps prevent atherosclerosis and hypertension, as per rat studies. It is, hence, a potent hepato- and cardioprotective dietary additive (16).
8. May Help Treat Menstrual Health, PCOS, And Fertility Concerns
Around 10%-15% of women of reproductive age experience oligomenorrhea and 3%-4% of them have amenorrhea.
Oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea are changes in regular menstrual cycles that cause long menstrual cycles and the absence of menstruation, respectively. While hormone replacement therapy is the most common remedy, herbal medicine is proving to be effective in such cases (17).
Herbal extracts of nettle, peppermint, onion, and nigella showed a positive effect on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). They could control menstrual bleeding, ameliorate menstrual irregularities, balance hyperandrogenism, and promote fertility (17).
These herbs possess phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenols, phytosterols, and terpenoids, that can mimic the natural hormonal function and restrict bleeding. That is why nettle plant parts can enhance follicle maturation, reduce coagulation factors, relax uterine muscles, and facilitate uterine recovery (17), (18).
9. Can Accelerate Wound Healing
Wound healing could get prolonged in the presence of free radicals and several physiological stresses. The delay might affect one or all steps of wound contraction, recovery of epidermal cells (reepithelialization), and restoration of blood supply (neovascularization) (18).
Using plant medicine for healing wounds is an ancient remedy. Several flowering plants like stinging nettle have been lauded for their vulnerary and antioxidant properties.
The nettle leaf has an antihemorrhagic effect because of its flavonoids, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acid content (18).
Using stinging nettle extract on wounds would reduce the bleeding time and promote blood clotting. It also eliminates pathogens, traps the pro-inflammatory free radicals, and reduces the average healing time in rat models (18).
In short, the leaf, root, and other parts of the stinging nettle have powerful antioxidant, vulnerary, antihemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, and anti-diuretic properties.
Shouldn’t there be something in the nettle plant parts that impart(s) these properties?
Absolutely! Learn more about them in the following section.
Nutritional Profile Of Stinging Nettles
The stinging nettle plant contains a load of phytochemicals. The fresh leaves contain β-carotene, violaxanthin, xanthophylls, zeaxanthin, luteoxanthin, and lutein epoxide that impart those mind-blowing benefits to this herb.
Nettle also contains phenolic acids, including carbonic, caffeic, caffeoyl malic, chlorogenic, formic, silicic, citric, fumaric, glyceric, malic, ellagic, oxalic, phosphoric, and succinic acids (19).
Quercetin, myricetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, etc. are the flavonoids. Acetylcholine, betaine, choline, lecithin, histamine, scololeptin, rutin, rosinidin, and naringin are a few other phytochemicals present in the nettle leaf, root, and stalk (19).
This medicinal herb scores well in nutrition too. The leaves contain copious amounts of potassium, calcium, folate, vitamins A and K, simple carbohydrates, protein, and essential precursors.
Unit | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy | Energy | Protein | Total lipid (fat) | Ash | Carbohydrate, by difference | Fiber, total dietary | Sugars, total | Minerals | ||||||
Iron, Fe | Magnesium, Mg | Phosphorus, P | Potassium, K | Sodium, Na | Zinc, Zn | Copper, Cu | Manganese, Mn | Selenium, Se | Vitamins | |||||
Riboflavin | Niacin | Vitamin B-6 | Folate, total | Folate, food | Folate, DFE | Choline, total | Betaine | Vitamin A, RAE | Carotene, beta | Carotene, alpha | Vitamin A, IU | Lutein + zeaxanthin | Vitamin K (phylloquinone) |
How To Consume ItNettle leaves are very versatile and can be brewed as an herbal tea, taken as a supplement, and applied as an ointment. You can buy dried/freeze-dried leaves, capsules, tinctures, and creams. Stinging nettle ointments are often used to ease osteoarthritis symptoms. Studies suggest that the following doses are most effective for certain conditions (20):
It is available in many stores. The dried leaves and flowers can be steeped to make an herbal tea, while its leaves, roots, and stems can be cooked and added to soups, smoothies, and stews. Blanched nettles can be a good addition to your salad. Try tossing a few nettle leaves into your salad. If that doesn’t sound appealing, you can brew a cup of fresh tea with nettle. How To Make Stinging Nettle TeaWhat You Need
Let’s Make It
You might find it tasting bitter and woody initially. A few cups or days down, you will come to love its freshness. Alternatively, blanch the nettle greens in saltwater and use them in salads or pesto. You could also sauté the greens in oil, butter, or other cooking fat. This can be enjoyed with red or white meat and added to salads. Ingesting nettle greens is a popular and more effective way of obtaining their benefits. But they are wild plants and called ‘stinging’ nettles. Should you be concerned? Absolutely! Check out the adverse effects of using nettle leaves. What Are The Side Effects Of Stinging Nettle?Well, contrary to their wildness, nettles are considered safe. There are very few side effects of having them, but none are lethal or toxic (21). Hair-like barbs of nettle leaves can harm the skin. These barbs can inject a variety of chemicals, such as (19):
These compounds can cause burning and rashes. Researchers found that nettle roots might cause GI tract disturbances, profuse sweating, and allergies in some individuals. Freshly plucked nettle leaves might cause localized stinging, rash, itching, and tongue edema (21). But as they act as an emmenagogue, they may possess uterine-stimulant properties. If pregnant women take nettles without medical supervision, they could go into premature labor. Cooked and dried stinging nettle is safe to consume. However, eating fresh leaves may cause irritation. Do You Know How The Nettle Stings?
ConclusionStinging nettle may reduce inflammation, aid blood sugar and blood pressure management, and boost hair growth and strength. The leaves are packed with huge amounts of flavonoids, polysaccharides, vitamins, and hormonal precursors. In fact, stinging nettle is considered the only plant that contains choline acetyl-transferase – an acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme. Expert’s Answers For Readers’ QuestionsDoes nettle tea help you sleep? Yes. Nettle tea promotes better sleep without increasing blood sugar levels, which makes sleep deeper. How much nettle tea should you drink a day? The maximum recommended use of nettle tea is four cups per day. Does nettle tea contain silica? Yes, nettle leaves contain silica (22). Is stinging nettle good for the kidneys? Yes. The stinging nettle can therapeutic effects toward urinary tract ailments and kidney stones. The flavonoids, anthocyanins, and saponins present in stinging nettle can help inhibit calcium and oxalate deposition (23). Does stinging nettle interact with medications? Yes. Using herbal medicines like nettle leaves with anti-inflammatory drugs is not recommended as they may interact with synthetic drugs. Do not take these leaves when you are on painkillers or similar medications without consulting your doctor. 23 sourcesStylecraze has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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