Vaping Nettles for Hayfever Relief

[Barefoot]

Tis Hayfever season once more, and i decided to try something different using me Puffit.

Nettle tea had been recommended to me a few years back to alleviate symptoms as Nettles contain a natural Antihistamine - so thought i'd try Vaping the tea instead.

Did a swift Google before trying and found nothing - so trial and error.

Cut open a Nettle tea bag - filled the Puffit's bowl and set it at number 5 (about 180C/355F)

Went from sneezy to breathing free with the second exhale.

Speculation on Vaping Nettles includes that it may contain 5HTP - the precursor to Serotonin (the 'Happiness' neurotransmitter) - which has been an interesting bonus.

I've been using Nettles for a week and aside from a much better Hayfever outcome, despite a high pollen count, have noticed that my THC usage has also decreased.

Anyone else who has any information/experience greatly appreciated as i haven't been able to find anything on contraindications etc?

 

[vaporonly]

i bought some a few years back but don't recall trying it. I did find this website:
http://www.gilliansherbs.com/article_101.php

and this: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-nettle.html

Nettle has been used for centuries to treat allergy symptoms, particularly hayfever which is the most common allergy problem. It contains biologically active compounds that reduce inflammation. Dr. Andrew Wiel M.D. author of Natural Health/ Natural Medicine says he knows of nothing more effective than nettle for allergy relief. And his statement is backed up by studies at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

for quick searches I did not find much info on vaping them.

In my part of the great lakes region we have stinging nettle that you learn to avoid in the woods cause they will make a rash that can be uncomfortable...i'm sure if it is the same or not

I wonder how a nettle tincture would work vs the vaping you have been experimenting with?

thanks for the post, I think I'll grab some.

 

[Tweek]

If you are using any type of anti-depressant or basically any drug for psychological issues, you definitely want to talk with your doc first. 5-HTP can cause issues pertaining to Serotonin (Serotonin syndrome)

Great post!

 

[Barefoot]

Thanks folks - thought i'd use Nettle tea as any effects could be easily replicated by others - rather than using ones i'd picked which might be unobtainable to others + i had them to hand

The 'Brand' i've been using is Heath and Heather tho i'm sure any would do.

Certainly as effective as any other Hayfever treatment i've tried - with no drowsiness and if anything an increase in awareness and wellbeing - works as low as 160C too!

Found a mention that Nettles may also boost testosterone (on a body-building site) - but haven't noticed any increased aggression

 

[Tweek]

Ah yes...I remember folks talking about nettles back when I was hitting the gym regularly. I think the one thing I heard with regards to the testosterone boost, is that it could cause gyno (bitch tits) but I imagine that is only in large amounts, and if you are younger. The old guys can usually use a testosterone boost.

 

[Barefoot]

Could explain why i haven't noticed increased aggression levels - being mid forties and a meditator/Reiki practioner LoL

The most surprising factor TBH has been the reduction in me THC consumption - must be the 5HTP

 

[Tweek]

Could be. Might be having a sedative effect on you. I think it is sometimes used in herbal sleep remedies as well.

 

[Barefoot]

Could also be the Placebo Effect - the Puffit doesn't produce much visible vapour, and the variety of herb i've been using is Sage-esque - so flavour isn't altogether dissimilar.

Also found it a lot easier to meditate in a focused way - so all in all:
Much decrease Hayfever symptoms
No noticeable Drowsiness
Increased but calm awareness
Decreased THC usage

Seems to be working well for me at least

Dropped the temperature to no4 - 165C - and still getting positive relief - tho possibly of shorter duration.

Not noticed any adverse side effects (unless thee include decreased requirement for THC ) into the 2nd week of this experiment.
I use electronic cigarettes - so i drink plenty of water and so haven't noticed any increase in the diuretic effect that Nettles may have.

Still noticing an increase in focused awareness after Vaping the Nettles and THC vaping has decreased to 3 short sessions in those 2 weeks - a huge reduction - and with no problems noticed at all. In fact i'm gaining more effectiveness from the Nettles than i was gaining from the THC. My sleep pattern has altered (been a bit wonky) though probably due to weeaning off the THC.

It must be noted that the self medication of THC was probably no longer required - but that i had become habituated to it - and just hadn't realised until now though. Probably due to the 5HTP effects in the Nettles too

 

[vaporonly]

does vaping the nettles leave a taste in wand, stem, etc?

I tasted my nettle tincture i started 6 days ago, it tastes great.

what's the consistency of the tea? I got dried nettles from the natural store,

 

[Enchantre]

...

In my part of the great lakes region we have stinging nettle that you learn to avoid in the woods cause they will make a rash that can be uncomfortable...i'm sure if it is the same or not

I wonder how a nettle tincture would work vs the vaping you have been experimenting with?

thanks for the post, I think I'll grab some.

Yes. Stinging Nettles is it. I've picked and eaten them fresh in the woods.

If you get stung by them (I never do, as I love them), just crush a leaf or the stem and rub the juice over the rash. It heals it immediately.

 

[Tweek]

Where do you learn this stuff, Enchantre? I want to learn more about wild herbs...I can trade for knowledge of mushroom picking (for eating, not spacing out)

 

[Enchantre]

I'm old, Tweek... very old. Well, okay, not that old, really... but I've been an "old hippy" of sorts my whole life.

Organic gardening, making my own stuff whenever possible, and using herbs for health... learned through old issues of Mother Earth News, from other back-to-the-land types, and through websites like Mountain Rose Herbs... and their catalogs! I also have the first Foxfire books (1 - 4), and have friends who are certified herbologists (medicinal & edible).

I used to know (well, he's passed away now) a native (salish tribe) shaman/medicine man (he would vehemently tell you "I never called myself that"), who was also a well-known/respected mushroom expert (mycologist?). He, of course, knew every edible/medicinal plant in the Pacific Northwest.

I've also done some time as a raw Vegan. There are several good resources through that branch of out-there-ness who are really quite knowledgeable on wild plants. Oh, and Euell Gibbons wrote some books, too, mostly East Coast, about wild edibles.

 

[farscaper]

It is 2 am, im up cause I passed out after taking one of the dreaded alergy pills I take when I just cant take it any more. Im going to see if the health food store has any nettles in the am hours that include sun. It would be nice to never need those damn pills again...

 

[Barefoot]

Good luck @farscaper - just using the tea (have used Heath and Heather and Twinings so far) seems to work for me - just take 3 10 second hits whenever i start feeling me eyes get itchy) and no drroling nose or sneezing fits so far

Welcome to the pioneering of Vaping Nettles for allergies and let me know how thee get on

Vaporonly - i was vaping a variety of sage weed - and didn't notice any adverse taste left from the Nettles in me Puffit - Nettles are a plant and taste 'planty' if thee know what ti mean LoL

Just got off the phone to the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in the UK
They were quite surprised and intrigued as to the use of Nettles in a Vapourizer as it hasn't been known to be used in this way until now. LoL

However, the lady i spoke to was encouraging, and i'm to keep a diary of use and noticed effects - and there should be no reason why (unless on medication for mental health reasons - check with your doctor/herbalist 1st as Nettles contain 5HTP) that this wouldn't be beneficial

Oh BTW - the bowl of the Puffit i've been using holds about a third of a tea bag (about 0.2g) and that's enough to keep me going for a day - 4-5 3 inhale session - so 20 bags should be easily a months supply

Modnote: 4 back-to-back posts merged. Please use the edit feature when possible. Thanks.

 

[Pcpvapors]

I picked up some organic nettle leaf this morning, once the MLFB batteries finish charging ill certainly be giving this a go, I've been playing with mullein which has been very beneficial for the lungs. It's really improved my breathing over the past couple weeks. I've been trying to Pin down a nice herbal mix, mullein, skullcap, a pinch of sage, and hopefully nettle will be the finishing touch.

 

[Barefoot]

Keep me posted on that Pcp - one of the reasons i go the Puffit was the temperature control to play with different herbs - the Nettle thing has been a huge bonus tho

So Pollen count has been higher the last couple of days so notched the Puffit up to 6 (190C - same as an Iolite), taking a 4th hit and this seems to be working fine again.

 

[Doug]

This is wild. If I had some nettles,I would definitely try it out.

 

[Barefoot]

buy some Nettle tea from a Health Store or online - most effective treatment i've tried to date

 

[Barefoot]

Still persisting with the Nettles - and even with the higher Pollen Count - still working and without a hint of Bronchitis thus far (Fourth week).

With prescribed anti-histamines i'd be starting to get the tell tale signs by now - still know by the end of July

 

[Enchantre]

that is wonderful!

 

[Barefoot]

Had a couple of days of non-Vaping the Nettles - and Hayfever back to its normal dribbly sneezy-ness - so back to the Vaping tomorrow to see if it still works

 

[Barefoot]

And the Puffit and Nettles - work once more

So far as the pollen increased so has me 'dosage' - from the initial 3 hits - now up to 4
And from 3-4 times a day now 5-6 - but manageable and nose and chest feel clear too.

So result for Nettles - still waiting to see if i get the antihistamine Bronchitis

 

[Barefoot]

As the Pollen counts got higher - i've started exhaling through me nose - this seems to add 'protection' and has kept the effectiveness of Vaping Nettles as good if not better then anything else i've tried - ever!

Using a fresh load every 2-3 sessions and 4-5 hits per session - and about 6 sessions a day has been working well.

I look for my precursors to a Hayfever attack - usually for me, i'll notice the top of my mouth feel itchy and then my eyes, before a sneezing fit. As long as i notice the mouth and eyes and have a Vaping session - no sneezing fits - although i may need to blow me nose a few times

 

[Enchantre]

I think this is the best thread I've found, yet! Thank you, Barefoot!

 

[vaporonly]

I've been using my everclear nettle tincture, tastes nice...haven't used it regularly enough to make any conclusions.

I have not tried to vape it yet.

I think it is important for people vaping anything new to them to make ABSOLUTELY sure they have no allergies to the whatever it is they are trying.

inhaling the smoke or vapor of things you are allergic too can be very dangerous because your lungs and airway is a bad spot for an allergic reaction.

you may not even know you are allergic to them...

like for example do people here know that mango skin can have the same chemical as poison ivy? that certain nuts also contain it?

this is really important to know for people who are very allergic to that chemical. sometimes people with severe reactions take epi pens with them camping in case any poison ivy or oak or summac gets in the fire and they breath the smoke. it can be deadly.

sometimes safety warnings come off as holier then thou, that's not my intent at all.