Does anyone know if stinging nettle leaf, not the root, is starchy? It is supposed to help purify the blood helping with anemia. I need to get my iron levels up and oral iron is not cutting it. I constantly go back and forth with my hemoglobin being a little bit low and being low normal. My doctor advised large amounts of iron which I am hesitant to do given past extremely elevated readings. Also, I don't think that is the true issue.

Thanks.

Don't know anything about nettle leaf, but I'm curious:
are you having problems absorbing any other nutrients, or just iron? There are various foods that inhibit iron absorption; do you happen to eat much of those (spinach, chard, non-herbal teas with tannin)?

I've had problems with protein absorption it seems.

I eat no chard, but spinach (maybe 1/4 to 1/3 cup, frozen) every other day. Oxalates/oxalic acid?

I have had this iron problem since before I underwent major diet modification. Could have been there too from all the wheat (not necessarily gluten) in my diet back then.

I also had major bowel surgery back in the day. My ability to absorb certain nutrients could be compromised due to IBD and surgery.

So many variables. Just curious to find out if I would respond to this herb and can keep the iron at lower levels.

Thank you.

Hi Jay. I don't know if it's starchy but I'm going through the same things are with the low iron counts. I heard about nettle tea and have been meaning to get some.
I have a few tablespoons of blackstrap molasses every day (straight from the spoon), I eat some porridge, almonds, meat and other high iron foods. Breathing is getting better slowly.

Timo. Hello. Most interesting that you have encountered similar information about nettle and aid for iron counts. I used to do un-sulphured blackstrap molasses also until it was apparent that I had candida yeast problems. It definitely takes a little getting used to the taste. I used to mix it with some warm water and drink it like a tea. I'd love to start using it again.

Maybe you already know this, but I remembered liver meat is supposed to be a really great source of iron due to high concentration of iron in a well-absorbed form (better than supplements). It might be worth a try, especially if organic liver meat is available locally (to avoid buildup of medicines and/or pesticides in conventionally raised animal livers).

The organ meat idea is very good. I sort of overlooked that. I had incorporated, not very willingly, chicken livers into my diet some time back.

I wrote the company whose product I am considering since no one had insight to offer on this particular herb. I will disclose the results when I receive a response.

The response received:



This answer provided limited information. I will try and find something or just 'trial and error' it to determine if, and how bad, it bothers me.

I found a discussion of nettle leaf constituents, which sadly does list starch:
http://www.botanicamedicines.com.au/product_info.php/products_id/414

Perhaps one could find a nettle leaf extract that would not include the starch

one glass in the morning with juiced red beetroot & carrot (both raw) will put up back your iron counts in a couple of weeks. tested.

I did write another manufacturer/marketer prior to you posing this information. I have not received a response yet. Don't think I will until next week if at all. However, based on the information you posted, it doesn't seem promising. The only thing, however, is that I am somewhat lax about starch when it comes to supplements. I am not necessarily NSD but am closer to it than LSD. The real test would be to try it and find out if it bothers me or not (it may have starch, but that information did not indicate how much starch was present I don't think).

Good recommendation. I totally overlooked that. I used to do a nice carrot, apple, beet combination.

Doing that intermittently does not help a whole lot. It is another reason to pull out the juicer on a daily basis. Interestingly, I just watched a video of a doctor who used diet to overcome the type of debilitating MS she suffered. She had been to one of the most prestigious medical centers in the U.S., some of the 'best' doctors, some of the most recent, promising drugs and she kept progressing for the worse. All they could do was try to keep her comfortable (e.g. zero gravity chair) in the life that she had. A real eye opener on the futility of the medical industrial complex. She designed her own diet, largely centered around vegetables (hence the need for me to juice frequently), and realized some amazing results. Most inspiring.

Right, just because it contains starch doesn't mean it is very starchy like a root. If you are not highly sensitive to starch, the benefit may outweigh the drawbacks.

I had a lot of problems with anemia over the years as well. Nothing I tried helped including Stinging nettle leaf. I did the liquid drops. Tincture I believe it is called. No help.

For me the anemia went away when I went on the TNF drug. SImponi immediately returned my red blood cell levels to normal. Doc thinks it is a sign of underlying inflammation, the anemia that is.

off course it is...

When they're in season, we pick bags of Stinging Nettles. I haven't tested them, but I haven't had any problems. They're delicious steamed, or added to a stir-fry.