Are you sneezing yet? Its the pollen on our local Cedar trees (actually correctly named, Juniperus ashei). Unfortunately the sneezing, itchy eys and scatchy throat will only get worse during January if you are somewhat allergic to this pollen. Many, many folks in Central Texas do have a reaction to this pollen especially if you have lived here for awhile. But don’t despair. There is an effective and natural helper here for you and that is FRESH Nettle Tincture. My tincture made from the fresh leaves of the Nettle plants I grow is a tincture well worth trying. It will help to ease these uncomfortable symptoms of ‘Cedar Fever’ and is safe without any known contra-indications. Nettle is a food, an incredible herb and has a wide variety of uses. Read on!!
Nettle, Urtica dioica, is a common plant which grows in waste ground and likes to grow near human habitations. Nettle, also known as Stinging nettle, Common nettle or Small nettle is different from our Texas grown Bull nettle which is also commonly found in waste areas.
One of the identifying aspects of Nettle is the white, prickly fiber that grows along the stem. 
Therefore I grow my Nettle in very large clay pots so I can keep it isolated and the visitors to my garden do not get stung. I have noticed, however, that you can gently harvest the Nettle leaves, with bare hands, if you talk sweetly to the plant asking its permission for harvest and thanking it for all its many gifts.
So what are some of those gifts? Nettle is actually my favorite herb that I use the most (be careful I might say that about several herbs). Nettle is a tonic herb, also known as a Potherb, and it can be eaten as a food. Like spinach, or any other green, it can be steamed or stir-fried with garlic (YUM). Nettle makes a delicious, earthy tea, which can be drunk anytime. It is loaded with nutrients such as Vitamins C, K, A, Iron, Calcium and Chlorophyll. This herb can benefit the entire body and is particularly good for anemia. Nettle also has natural histamine so it can be used for asthma, other lung congestive problems and our famous Austin cedar fever. You can easily purchase a bottle of this tincture by going to:
Nettle This versatile herb also acts as an effective diuretic, helps to eliminate uric acid and reduces water retention. Nettle is ideal to drink during menstruation, as it not only reduces water retention but it is also effective for profuse menstruation. In addition this herb is also an Alterative as it acts to nourish and purify the blood. When I drink Nettle tea I feel that I am drinking the blood of Mother Earth.
So those are just some of the medicinal benefits of Nettle. It can also be used as a green dye and the tough fibers of the stalk can be made into cloth. And if you do get a nettle sting, the juice of the plant itself, along with Yellow Dock, Rumex crispus, can be used as an antidote.
So never again think negatively of this incredible herb. With its stingers and all Nettle is helpful to many systems of the body. I like Nettle as a tea, or a fresh Nettle tincture. Even better, grow your own.
