Stinging nettle, or nettle, is a plant that contains irritating chemicals in the fine hairs on its leaves, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The hairs and spines of this plant are painful to touch, but the chemicals of the plant are beneficial and may help with pain or certain health conditions. Before drinking herbal nettle tea, talk to your health-care provider. Some herbs have side effects or adversely interact with other medications or herbs. UMMC states that nettle is generally safe when used as directed but may cause mild upset stomach, fluid retention and rash or hives. Nettle should also never be applied to an open wound. Pregnant women should not ingest nettle because it can contribute to miscarriage or affect your menstrual cycle.
Fights Anemia and Fatigue
Nettle is rich in iron and helps fight anemia and fatigue, especially in women, says Kassie Vance in her article, "Stinging Nettle." Registered nurse Catherine Zuver of the University of Virginia Health Systems also states that nettle promotes the stabilization of blood sugar and is a nourishing and energizing herb, helping fight fatigue. Zuver also states that nettle is thought to reduce fatigue by aiding the adrenal glands.
Better Urinary Function
Nettle tea has diuretic properties, which increases the flow and secretion of urine, says Vance. When used as a diuretic, nettle tea is beneficial in alleviating urinary tract infections and decreasing fluid retention. It also helps with the breakdown of stones in the bladder or kidneys. Nettle tea should not be used to replace traditional medications. Discuss the use of herbs with your physician for treatment of medical conditions such as urinary tract infections or bladder and kidney stones.
Joint Pain
Vance states that this herb promotes the elimination of uric acid from joints, reducing pain. The Natural-Arthritis-Pain-Relief.org website says that stinging nettle contains substances that reduce the inflammatory compounds in people with arthritis and drinking one cup of stinging nettle tea per day provides the maximum effect to reduce arthritis pain. Stinging nettle decreases pain by lowering inflammatory levels and interfering with pain signals in your body, according to UMMC.
Allergies
Stinging nettle is a natural histamine blocker, and according to Dr. Carrie Demers in her article, "Natural Allergy Relief," it has been used as an anti-allergy herb for centuries. Demers says that she has seen patients improve their allergy symptoms by drinking two to three cups of nettle tea each day.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Stinging Nettle
- Dr. Christopher's Herbal Legacy: Stinging Nettle
- University of Virginia Health System: Alternative/Complementary Therapy for Midlife Women
- Yoga International: Natural Allergy Relief
- Natural-Arthritis-Pain-Relief.org: Herbal Treatment for Arthritis Symptoms Relief -- Stinging Nettle
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