Nettle cures give horses a boost
The nutritional value of nettle is extremely high, and among Finnish plants there is no other plant that contains as many mineral salts as the familiar nettle.
The list of nutrients in nettle is almost endless: chlorophyll a and b, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C, E, K1, ubiquinone, essential oil, lecithin, iron, calcium, potassium, silica, selenium, sulfur, magnesium, manganese, zinc, chromium, and protein (including amino acids: arginine, histidine, lysine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, valine, proline, asparagine, tyrosine, serine, threonine, glycine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid). The plant also contains acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, formic acid, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. In addition, nettle contains beta-carotene and chlorophyll, i.e., leaf green. Several different antioxidants support each other, making their combined effect better than that of individual antioxidants.
For comparison: “super nettle” contains 60 times more silica than leaf lettuce, seven times more iron than spinach, three times more calcium than milk, and five times more vitamin C than oranges—up to 60–75 mg per 100 grams of fresh plant material. In terms of nutritional value, nettle is at least on par with seaweed, which is considered a superfood!
About 15% of nettle is carbohydrates, 5.5% proteins, 0.6% fat, and 2.3% mineral salts.
Nettle contains a good amount of fibre: for example, dried leaves contain 25% fibre, of which 35% is soluble fibre. Fibres promote gut function and improve the digestibility of food. Eating the stems increases saliva production, which in turn protects and helps prevent gut issues.
The iron in nettle is very well absorbed, so it reduces anaemia and works as a good iron “course,” raising haemoglobin. The compounds in nettle cleanse the blood, increase urine output (i.e., support kidney function) and remove fluids, lower blood pressure and blood sugar, reduce inflammation, help with hypersensitivity reactions, and remove heavy metals. Nettle lowers blood sugar, balances blood pressure, and increases milk production in nursing mothers. Nettle has been shown to increase haemoglobin and the number of red blood cells, remove excess fluid, treat gout, and reduce inflammation.
Nettle seeds have been used to increase general vitality and condition. This “super plant” removes uric acid from the body and thus alleviates symptoms in people with rheumatism and in those suffering from joint problems. Nettle is also helpful for skin problems.
Nettle is considered healthy, strengthening, and immunity-boosting in every way. The German medicinal authorities’ commission recommends nettle for urinary tract infections and as supportive care for rheumatic ailments. The greatest benefit of nettle is seen as the fact that its biological compounds cleanse the body and help it function better.
Nettle is not recommended for pregnant horses, nor for horses going into surgery or recovering from surgery. The use of nettle for a horse taking heart or cardiovascular medication should also be discussed with the treating veterinarian. Nettle rarely causes sensitisation, but allergic reactions are possible. Typical symptoms include profuse diarrhoea and/or hives; the skin bumps caused by hives usually disappear within 24 hours.
Nettle is best given to horses in courses. This way, the body does not become overly accustomed to the active compounds, and the courses work more effectively.
