Nettle, also known as stinging nettle, is a plant with sharp leaves that is used for its healing properties. Nettle is thought to help your blood circulation and relieve arthritis pain in joints and limbs. A January 1999 study in "FEBS Letters" suggests that ingesting nettle can relieve inflammation from arthritis, as the extract did so for study participants. Make a tea out of the stem, leaves and root of the nettle plant after checking with your doctor.
Step 1
Cut the leaves, stem and root of the nettle plant into small pieces.
Step 2
Put the chopped nettle herb into your mug.
Step 3
Heat water over high heat until it boils.
Step 4
Pour the boiling water into the mug with the chopped nettle.
Step 5
Steep the herbs for 7 to 10 minutes.
Step 6
Pour the liquid through a strainer to separate the tea from the herbs.
Step 7
Drink the tea three to four times each day.
Tips and Warnings
- For an easier method, purchase pre-packaged nettle tea bags and steep them in boiling water according to the package instructions. Aside from tea, nettle can be used in other ways for arthritis. One option is to apply a nettle cream to the area of your body where you have inflammation and pain. A June 2000 study in "Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine" found that nettle applied topically lowered participants' arthritis pain and disability after only one week. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you can also ingest a nettle extract together with NSAIDs. Talk to your doctor before using either of these methods.
- Nettle is typically seen as safe although it has caused an allergic rash, an upset stomach and fluid retention in some people. Do not put nettle on an open wound. Do not use nettle if you are pregnant as it can lead to a miscarriage. Avoid using nettle if you are taking medication to thin your blood, for diabetes, for high blood pressure or are on diuretic medications. Ask your doctor before you take nettle with NSAIDs.
References
- "20,000 Secrets of Tea"; Victoria Zak; 1999
- "FEBS Letters"; Plant Extracts From Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica), an Antirheumatic Remedy, Inhibit the Proinflammatory Transcription Factor NF-kappaB; K Riehemann, et al.; January 1999
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Stinging Nettle
- "Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine"; Randomized Controlled Trial of Nettle Sting for Treatment of Base-of-Thumb Pain; Colin Randall, et al.; June 2000
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