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Alternative Names: Itch weed.
Stinging nettles, both leaves and root, are quite medicinally active, despite their unpleasant attributes.
Stinging nettle root (Urticae radix) consists of the underground parts of Urtica dioica, Urtica urens and/or their hybrids, as well as preparations from nettle root at an effective dose.
Stinging nettle is quite useful as a medicinal plant, although gathering it can be quite tricky. Under each leaf and along the stem of the nettle plant are rows of stinging hair that act like hypodermic needles. These small sac-like structures contain amines such as histamine, as well as folic acid. Contact with these stinging hairs can cause a burning and itching sensation which can last up to an hour.
Source
Stinging nettle is available in tinctures and capsules.
Function; Reasons For Use
Nettle leaf powder has been described as diuretic, antispasmodic, antiallergic, and hemostatic. Nettles leaf has been shown to be effective as a treatment for allergic rhinitis (hayfever). This is probably due to antiinflammatory properties of nettles leaf, and the relationship of allergic reactions to the inflammatory process.
Research has shown that Nettle boosts our immunity and as such is a vitalizing nutrient and plays a role against both cancer and infection.
Extracts of stinging nettle root have been used, singly or in combination with other botanicals for the condition of BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia). Nettles root extracts are approved by the German government as an official treatment for BPH. While the mechanism has not been fully elucidated, two activities have been identified in nettle root extracts that may be responsible for the activity. The first is the inhibition of prostate Na+/K+ ATPase enzymes. By inhibiting this crucial enzyme, prostate cells are prevented from proliferating; and inhibiting this crucial enzyme inhibits hyperplasia. The second activity is an interference of the human sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is responsible for the estradiol-induced androgen sensitive prostatic growth. A common mixture of 120mg of nettles root extract with 160mg of saw palmetto is used for many of the clinical trials.
Stinging Nettle has been used for over 200 years in Germany particularly for inflamatory conditions, such as athritis. In the last 50 years it has been used additionally for allergies to include hay fever.
It also has been used as a prevention for symptoms of prostate enlargement similar to saw palmetto.
It has been used externally for oily hair and scalp and the treatment of dandruff.
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Stinging Nettle can help with the following: | | | | | Allergy |  Allergic Rhinitis / Hay Fever | Nettles are traditionally used for hay fever and may be drunk as an infusion, 2 cups a day. |
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Organ Health |
Enlarged Prostate| | Radix urticae is another plant investigated for its beneficial properties in treating benign prostate hyperplasia. Much less information is available on radix urticae compared to saw palmetto and what little there is comes from Eastern Europe, but there are a few reports that suggest radix urticae extracts may help improve symptoms. [Romics 1987] |
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Skin-Hair-Nails |
Male Hair Loss| | It is possible that radix urticae influences the activity of sex hormone binding globulin and its binding to testosterone [Blutplasmas 1983]. Because of this small amount of evidence some people have taken radix urticae as an alternative treatment for androgenetic alopecia. The true potential of radix urticae to treat pattern baldness is unknown. |
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KEY | | May do some good |
GLOSSARY
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes that is caused by specific allergen(s). It is an allergy characterized by sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, coughing and a burning/scratchy sensation of the palate and throat.
Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.
Alopecia
Loss of hair.
Androgen
Any steroid hormone that increases male characteristics.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Antispasmodic
Preventing spasms.
Benign
Literally: innocent; not malignant. Often used to refer to cells that are not cancerous; they tend to grow slowly and don't spread (metastasize) like cancer tumors do.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH)
The benign buildup in the prostate of "warts" or epithelial neoplasias that can block or interrupt urination, and which are usually concurrent with moderate prostate enlargement. They cause a dull ache on urination, ejaculation, and/or defecation. The diagnosis is medical, since the same subjective conditions can result fromcancer of the prostate. BPH is common in men over fifty and can be the result either of diminished production of complete testosterone or poor pelvic circulation. Alcohol, coffee, speed, and antihistamines can all aggravate the problem.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Cup (Cups)
A unit of volume measurement equal to 8 fluid oz, or roughly 250ml. It also equals 1/2 pint, 1/4 quart and 1/16 gallon.
Diuretic (Diuretics)
An agent increasing urine flow, causing the kidneys to excrete more than the usual amount of sodium, potassium and water.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Folic Acid
A B-complex vitamin that functions along with vitamin B-12 and vitamin C in the utilization of proteins. It has an essential role in the formation of heme (the iron containing protein in hemoglobin necessary for the formation of red blood cells) and DNA. Folic acid is essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tubular defects in the developing fetus.
Hemostatic
Stopping blood flow; antihemorrhagic agent.
Histamine
A chemical in the body tissues, produced by the breakdown of histidine. It is released in allergic reactions and causes widening of capillaries, decreased blood pressure, increased release of gastric juice, fluid leakage forming itchy skin and hives, and tightening of smooth muscles of the bronchial tube and uterus. Histamine is the chemical that drives the initial acute allergic reaction, causing itching, swelling and congestion.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Prostate
The prostate gland in men that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra and produces a secretion that liquefies coagulated semen.
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)
A glycoprotein, synthesized in the liver, which binds testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone strongly, and estradiol somewhat less strongly. Circulating testosterone is mainly bound to protein - primarily SHBG, but also to albumin and cortisol-binding globulin. Since variations in the carrier protein levels may affect the concentration of testosterone in circulation, SHBG levels are commonly measured as a supplement to total testosterone determinations. The "free androgen index" (FAI), calculated as the ratio of total testosterone to SHBG, has proved to be a useful indicator of abnormal androgen status in conditions such as hirsutism.
Testosterone
The principal male sex hormone that induces and maintains the changes that take place in males at puberty. In men, the testicles continue to produce testosterone throughout life, though there is some decline with age. A naturally occurring androgenic hormone.
Last updated: May 04, 2008
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