Allergies affect children and adults alike and can be caused by certain foods, medications or various pollens. Stinging nettle, a herb with long history of being used as a medicinal herb appears to help improve allergies caused by pollens, called seasonal allergies or hay fever. If you suffer from allergies and consider taking stinging nettle you should first talk to your doctor.
About Nettle
Stinging nettle, medically known as Urtica doica is a medicinal plant. Its common name derives from the fact that it causes stinging and inflammation of the area of the skin that came in contact with nettle's leaves. The therapeutic benefits of stinging nettle are known since medieval time, and initially were used to eliminate excess water from the body and for arthritis pain, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Currently, alternative health care providers recommend stinging nettle for enlarged prostate, allergies, arthritis, muscle pain, anemia and urinary tract inflammations.
Nettle may be used in allergic and other inflammatory conditions, says Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Netlle's key active ingredients include plant compounds like scopoletin, flavonoids, amines and acids. .
Research
American researchers from Herbal Science Group found that an extract from nettle inhibits certain inflammatory and allergy markers, thus being useful in seasonal allergies. Their study was published in the July 2009 issue of "Phytotherapy Research." Another study, published in the October 2000 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review" also supports the efficacy of stinging nettle, as well as vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain and N-acetylcysteine to be used along with conventional anti-allergy drugs to improve this condition. The researchers also noted that stinging nettle is a safe and well tolerated herb.
Dosage
The typical recommended dosage is 2 to 3 300mg tablets or capsules of nettle extract that can be taken up to 3 times a day during allergy season, according to Natural Medicinal Herbs.com. Nettle is also available in tea and liquid forms.
Toxicology
Stinging nettle may irritate the skin and cause sweating, skin rash and other allergic reactions. Skin irritation from touching fresh nettle leaves can be treated by washing with water the affected area.
Interactions with Other Herbs & Drugs
Stinging nettle may interact with blood thinning drugs like aspirin and warfarin and herbs like gingko and garlic. It may also increase the effects of betablockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors, which are drugs used for cardio-vascular conditions.
Considerations
Consult a qualified health care provider to find out optimal dosage of stinging nettle for your condition. Keep in mind that stinging nettle does not replace anti-allergy drugs and is not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat allergies.
References
- "Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center": Nettle: September 2010
- University of Maryland, Medical Center: Stinging Nettle: 2011
- "Phytotherapy Research."; Nettle Extract (Urtica dioica) Affects Key Receptors and Enzymes Associated with Allergic Rhinitis; B.Roschek et al; July, 2009
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Natural Treatment of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis; SM.Thornhill et al; October, 2000
- Natural Medicinal Herbs.com: Nettles
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