Purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) is a herbaceous flowering plant that grows around Europe and Asia.
The leaves have fine hairs with the color of green at the bottom and purplish shade at the top. They are 2–4 cm in length and width. It has a 1–2 cm petiole (leaf stalk) and wavy to serrated margins. This plant gets its “dead” name as it has no sting as stinging nettles (Urtica).
Purple Dead-nettle has long been used for ages as traditional medicine in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Why does this plant bring health benefits for us? Find the answer for the health benefits of purple dead-nettle below.
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1. It’s an anti-inflammatory
The next benefit of purple dead-nettle is that it acts as an anti-inflammatory. When our body is threatened by foreign things such as invading microbe, chemicals, or plant pollen, our body is prone to inflammations. However, sometimes inflammation persists at times when you are not threatened by those foreign things.
Many major diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s are some of those associated with chronic inflammation. To fight the inflammation, we need an anti-inflammatory diet and one of the food sources that we can choose is purple dead-nettle.
To take the purple dead nettle, you can make an infusion. Prepare a cup of boiling water and then add 1 heaping teaspoon of dried purple dead-nettle. Cover the infusion for 10 minutes. Strain and drink it anytime you feel like.
2. It’s a food source
Purple dead-nettle is wild, edible leaves. You can even eat the entire plant. The flavor is mild, slightly grassy, somewhat floral. The purple tops even have a little sweet flavor. Unlike the other mint family, purple dead-nettle doesn’t have a minty taste.
You can make this as salads, soups, or blend it into smoothies. Since you can consume the leaves and flowers both fresh and dried, you can also make it into a tea. Mainly, you can simply use it as you would with any other green. Another way to consume this plant is by putting it as a garnish.
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3. It’s an antioxidant
Purple Dead Nettle is an antioxidant, that’s why it can improve your immune system and thus, help fight infection. Since the human body naturally produces free radicals, the antioxidant is there to fight their damaging effects.
However, free radical’s amount is far more than the naturally occurring antioxidants. To maintain the balance, a continual supply of external sources of antioxidants is necessary. These external sources of antioxidant will obtain the maximum benefits of antioxidants to fight against the free radicals.
4. It’s an anti-bacterial
As an anti-bacterial, purple dead-nettle can also help interferes with the growth and reproduction of bacteria. The natural anti-bacterial properties of the plant can eliminate potentially harmful bacteria in our body.
Natural anti-bacterial is much safer than anti-bacterial products, so don’t hesitate to add purple dead-nettle to your diet and first aid. For healing a wound, just mesh the purple dead-nettle leaves and apply them to wounds.
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5. It’s an anti-fungal
Another benefit you can get from purple dead-nettle is that it’s anti-fungal. As an anti-fungal, this plant helps fight fungal infections by preventing the fungal cells from growing and reproducing in our body. Since this kind of antifungal is from a natural herb, it doesn’t cause any side-effects as you will get from antifungal medicine.
6. It’s a diuretic
Diuretics are substances that increase the amount of our urine’s production. Thus, it can help your body get rid of excess water. Purple dead-nettle is a diuretic, that’s why it’s beneficial to remove this excess water, which is called water retention.
This water retention in our body will make us feel “puffy” and hence, cause swollen legs, ankles, hands, and feet. Take a note that this natural diuretic herb is helpful for mild water retention that isn’t caused by an underlying health condition that needs a doctor’s prescription.
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7. It’s an astringent
The next benefit of purple dead-nettle is that it has astringent properties. As an astringent, purple dead-nettle can be beneficial for toning the digestive tract. This is helpful for diarrhea and indigestion as it tightens and tones the tissue to get rid of unwanted discharges.
It also promotes healthy secretion for blood or other bodily fluids. Tightening and drying tissue, astringent is also beneficial for cosmetic properties to tone the skin, prevent sagging skin and balance oily skin. Gargling with a natural gargle of purple dead-nettle can also be helpful for treating laryngitis and sore throat.
8. It’s a diaphoretic
As a diaphoretic herb, purple dead-nettle helps the body fight against fever and chills, cool the skin and eliminate toxins. It induces involuntary perspiration that helps relieve fever, promotes circulation, and reduces muscle tension and aching joints.
Diaphoretic works by causing people to sweat profusely. This type of sweating can be useful for one’s health by removing toxins from the body. It increases blood flow throughout the body by dilating superficial capillaries & blood vessels.
9. It’s high in iron
Iron is a mineral vital to the proper function of hemoglobin. As a protein, hemoglobin works to transport oxygen in the blood. Iron is also important for any processes in the body.
The lack of iron can cause anemia. Consuming purple dead-nettle will supply the sufficient amount of iron to your body. Iron can increases energy and can promote better athletic performance. Pregnant women are highly suggested to increase the intake of iron to promote a healthy pregnancy.
10. It’s high in vitamin
Purple dead-nettle is also high in vitamin. The sufficient amount of vitamin will get your body healthy from head to toe and you will have a low risk of getting sick.
11. It’s high in fiber
Since it’s high in fiber, purple dead-nettle can also help in losing weight. It promotes a healthy digestion and maintains a healthier weight over time.
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So, those are health benefits of purple dead-nettle that you won’t regret knowing. Now, you got one more magic herb to add to your diet and medicine.