Nettle is also known as Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle. This plant is a member of the Urticaceae family and is native to Eurasia. Stinging nettle is a perennial that prefers rich, moist soil and can grow in large patches. It has serrated, heart-shaped leaves and stems that are covered with sharp, stinging hairs. The leaf and root of stinging nettle contain different chemical constituents and, therefore, have different medicinal uses. Consult with your health care provider prior to using nettle.
Nettle Leaf
According to Alternative Medicine Review, nettle leaf contains many nutrients; however, the stinging hairs contain chemicals such as histamine, formic acid, acetylcholine and acetic acid, which may produce negative reactions. Steaming or cooking nettle leaves prior to eating them will destroy these dangerous chemicals. Manufacturers of nettle leaf supplements remove the stinging hairs during processing, so they are considered safe. Nettle leaves contain beneficial compounds such as caffeic malic acid--CMA--glycosides, sterols and chlorophyll. All of these constituents may have anti-inflammatory actions.
Nettle Leaf Benefits
According to Prevention, the anti-inflammatory constituents in nettle leaves may help reduce allergy-related inflammation, thereby reducing allergy symptoms. A study published in the 1990 issue of Planta Medica found that nettle leaves may be effective against allergic rhinitis. Out of 69 subjects who took 600 mg of freeze-dried nettle leaf, 58 percent reported significant relief and 48 percent stated that "it was more effective than other over-the-counter medications." Topical application of nettle leaves may also help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation. Alternative Medicine Review states that topical use of this herb may help with low back pain, sciatica, sprains, chronic tendonitis and osteoarthritis.
Nettle Root
Alternative Medicine Review states that nettle root contains lignans and polysaccharides, which may have steroid hormone effects. This plant's root may also contain agglutinin, which is a lectin that may have antiviral properties. Furthermore, caffeic malic acid--CMA--exists to some extent in nettle root and may act as an anti-inflammatory.
Nettle Root Benefits
Nettle root is particularly useful in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. A German study published in the 1997 issue or Urologe A found that the use of nettle root in combination with saw palmetto was equally effective as the prostate medication finasteride at treating BPH symptoms. Subjects who used the herbal combination also experienced fewer and more mild side effects than subjects using the drug. Several other research studies have verified nettle root's effectiveness in the treatment of an enlarged prostate.
Preparations
You can cook and eat fresh nettle leaves or take the dried leaf in powder, capsule or tablet form. Steep 2 to 3 teaspoons of dried nettles in 1 pint of boiling water for 10 minutes to make a tea. You can also find nettle root or nettle leaf as a liquid tincture or herbal extract. Furthermore, some herbal retailers may carry freeze-dried whole nettle leaf.
References
- "Alternative Medicine Review: Urtica dioica; Urtica urens (Nettle);" September 2007
- "Prevention: Herbal Rx;" S. A.; 2004
- "Quarterly Review of Natural Medicine: Topical Use of Nettle Leaves for Osteoarthritis;" Spring 1996
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