The Consumer Guide to Nettle
In this guide...
Traditional Uses
Modern Uses
Recent findings
Do scientists know how it works?
Types of products
Saftey
References
Browse Our Wide Selection of Nettles Products
Scores of nettle species thrive in wastelands and disturbed areas in temperate areas around the world. Most herbal products are derived from the upper leaves and stems as well as from the roots of a perennial species (U. dioica) native to Europe and Asia but now widespread in North America. (The closely related species U. urens is the source of a popular homeopathic remedy with uses similar to the herb.) Nettle is also known as stinging nettle due to tiny hollow hairs on all parts of the plant that deliver a dose of a chemical irritant to anyone who comes into contact with the fresh plant. (Drying or heating of the herb eliminates this stinging effect.) "Urtication" (from the Latin root uro for "I burn") is a prominent therapeutic action, capable of increasing local circulation and helping to relieve the pain and inflammation of joint conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, and gout.
Traditional Uses
The practice of urtication-beating oneself with fresh nettle to warm the skin and reduce joint pain-has been traced back to the time of ancient Rome. Nettle has also long been taken orally both as a spring tonic and as a blood purifier. It is said to prevent anemia and speed the healing of bruises, broken bones, muscle strains, and tendon injuries. Herbalists have traditionally used it to relieve conditions such as coughs, asthma, and diarrhea. Nettle has also been used for its astringent properties to reduce the bleeding of hemorrhoids and to treat insect bites, burns, and minor skin wounds. Nettle has a folk reputation for promoting the flow of breast milk in lactating women and preventing the loss of hair. It is also a traditional herb for certain liver and urinary conditions.
Modern Uses
Nettle has maintained its reputation for being an effective treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases, including arthritis and rheumatism. Studies have confirmed that it reduces pain and stiffness and can enhance the effectiveness of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. Nettle is also still regarded as a potentially effective treatment for eczema and other chronic skin conditions. It may lower high blood pressure due to its diuretic properties. Nettle may promote the effect of acupuncture. Nettle root preparations have recently shown significant promise as a treatment for enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH) and other prostate complaints. A prominent new remedy for mature men combines nettle with pygeum to ease symptoms of urinary disturbances, including the need to urinate frequently at night. Some men who take nettle report a mild aphrodisiac effect. Nettle may also help to prevent or treat:
- urinary tract infection
- hay fever
- PMS
- Researchers in Morocco who looked at eighteen plants used in folk medicine to treat high blood pressure found that parsley, garlic, and nettle were among the most prominent herbal remedies.
- A study that investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of a standardized extract of nettle identified effects at the cellular level on transcription factor NF-kappaB.
- Researchers in Germany recently established that lignans from nettle root are able to block a process known as human sex hormone binding globulin. This allows testosterone to stay more active in men's bodies and helps to relieve the effects of BPH.
Do scientists know how it works?
Studies have identified various types of compounds in nettle leaves, including amines (such as histamine, serotonin, and choline), formic acid, flavonoids, volatile oil, caffeic acid, and tannins. The stinging effect is from histamine and formic acid. These and other compounds in the leaves may work in part by inhibiting prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that affect pain and inflammation. Nettle leaves are also rich in vitamin C and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, silica, and potassium. These nutrients may play an important tonic role and promote the healing of wounds and injuries. Compounds in nettle root with therapeutic potential include lignans, sterols, lectins, fatty acids, and polysaccharides. Lignans may relieve BPH through effects on testosterone and other sex hormones.
Types of Products
Nettle is available in capsules, liquid extracts, and teas. It is sometimes combined with other herbs such as saw palmetto and feverfew.
Safety
The leaves have long been cooked and consumed as a green vegetable that is rich in nutrients. The fresh plant causes a skin rash. Herbal preparations are thought to be safe and nontoxic, with minor digestive upsets the most common side effect.
- Balch and Balch. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, revised edition. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing (1997)
- Brown, O.P., The Complete Herbalist. North Hollywood, CA: Newcastle (1993)
- Carse, M. Herbs of the Earth. Hinesburg, VT: Upper Access (1989)
- Chrubasik S et al. Evidence for antirheumatic effectiveness of Herba Urtica dioicae in acute arthritis: A pilot study. Phytomedicine 1997; Vol. 4 No. 2, 105-108.
- Dahan, B.T. Wise Concoctions. San Francisco: Chronicle Books (1999)
- Davidov MI, et al. [Phytoperfusion of the bladder after adenomectomy]. Urol Nefrol (Mosk). 1995 Sep-Oct;(5):19-20. Russian.
- Duke, J.A. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press (1997)
- Foster, S. "Lowly wonders: two powerfully healing herbs you might have overlooked."Mother Earth News, April-May, 1995.
• Gansser D, et al. Plant constituents interfering with human sex hormone-binding globulin. Evaluation of a test method and its application to Urtica dioica root extracts. Z Naturforsch [C]. 1995 Jan-Feb;50(1-2):98-104.
- Goldberg, B. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. Fife, WA: Future Medicine Publishing (1994)
- Haas, E. Staying Healthy with the Seasons. Millbrae, CA: Celestial Arts (1981)
- Hirano T, et al. Effects of stinging nettle root extracts and their steroidal components on the Na+,K(+)-ATPase of the benign prostatic hyperplasia. Planta Med. 1994 Feb;60(1):30-3.
- Hryb DJ, et al. The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostaticmembranes. Planta Med. 1995 Feb;61(1):31-2.
- Landis, R. Herbal Defense. New York: Warner Books (1997)
- LaValle, J.B. "Men's prostate health: a variety of key nutrients may play a role in prevention." Chain Pharmacy 19:11 (1997)
- Lichius JJ, et al. The inhibiting effects of Urtica dioica root extracts on experimentally induced prostatic hyperplasia in the mouse. Planta Med. 1997 Aug;63(4):307-10.
- Mabey, R (ed.) The New Age Herbalist. New York: MacMillan (1988)
- Madison, D., Brown, E.E. The Greens Cookbook. New York: Bantam Books (1987)
- March, K.G., March, A.L. The Wild Plant Companion. Bailey, CO: Meridian Hill (1986)
- Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med. 1990 Feb;56(1):44-7.Moore, M. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. Santa Fe: Red Crane (1993)
- Ody, P. The Complete Medicinal Herbal. New York: Dorling Kindersley (1993)
- Palaiseul, J. Grandmother's Secrets: Her Green Guide to Health from Plants. New York: Putnam (1974)
- Polunin, M., Robbins, C. The Natural Pharmacy. New York: Collier (1992)
- Schultes, R.E. Medicines from the Earth. New York: Alfred van der Marck (1983)
- Swanston-Flatt SK, et al. Glycaemic effects of traditional European plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice. Diabetes Res. 1989 Feb;10(2):69-73.Tierra, M., "Springtime Allergies". PlanetHerbs Online. www. planetherbs.com/ articles
- Tyler, V.E. The Honest Herbal. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press (1993)
- Vahlensieck W Jr, et al. [Drug therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. Fortschr Med. 1996 Nov 10;114(31):407-11. Review. German.Vukovic, L. "For the love of weeds". Natural Health July-August, 1998.
- Weiner, M. Herbs That Heal. Mill Valley, CA: Quantum Books (1994)
- Ziyyat A, et al. Phytotherapy of hypertension and diabetes in oriental Morocco. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Sep;58(1):45-54.
Browse Our Wide Selection Of Nettle Products