The tradition of foraging for young nettle tops to make into soup has been traced back in Britain to the bronze age over 3000 years ago. Nettles have been consumed since medieval times therapeutically for a plethora of ailments from joint pain, arthritis, diabetes, skin issues. They are anti-inflammatory, they can help with circulation, allergies, hormonal regulation, and prostate issues and act as  general detoxifier & blood purifier. Nettles are a good source of essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins A and B which is why it is so helpful for building and cleansing the blood. 

Bloating obviously has many causes, but looking at it from an Oriental medicine perspective I like to suggest the simplest fixes before diving into more invasive and complicated investigations. ⁠I have had a patients crying in the practice because they kept trying more and more restrictive, “healthier diets”, and actually saw their bloating, weight and issues with bowel movements get WORSE.

Blood deficiency in Oriental medicine may or may not mean anemia. You can go for a blood test & it can tell you the contents but not how much you have. Blood nourishes, moistens & cools in the body. When blood becomes deficient or not as vital as we would like it to be, we feel a little wizened, everything in the body feels less nourished, dryer, tighter, stiffer.

Ultimately, yes, it can. Worry is a sign that your digestive system is tired, and needs some focused rehabilitation. Traditionally it is said in Oriental medicine that “worry knots the stomach qi”  We can feel this physically - maybe a pricking sensation that can then tighten into a hard knotted ball!