Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, has a long history of external use in the treatment of muscle and joint pain, arthritis and gout. As a tea, the plant may help improve urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland and may reduce the pain and stiffness of inflammatory conditions. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, nettle tea is typically made by brewing the stems and leaves of the stinging nettle plant.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Drinking nettle tea may improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate. Consumption of the herb may strengthen urinary flow, improve emptying of the bladder, help stop dripping after urination and relieve the constant urge to urinate. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, nettle appears to work as well as finasteride, a drug normally prescribed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Research to date supports the effectiveness of nettle, and studies published in 2007 in "International Urology and Nephrology" and "Phytomedicine" show that supplementation with nettle improves many of the urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, including incomplete emptying and flow strength. The herb may work by altering hormone levels or by directly affecting prostate cells in some way.
Arthritis
Nettle tea may be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis when used topically or orally. Nettle eases the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis, according to "Arthritis Today" magazine, possibly by suppressing certain cytokines involved in the inflammatory process. When used daily, nettle eases pain, swelling and stiffness and improves mobility for many people, enabling some arthritic patients to reduce their daily dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Allergies and Other Conditions
Consumption of nettle tea may reduce histamine levels in the body, thereby alleviating the sneezing and itching associated with allergic rhinitis and other allergic conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Susan E. Mead, a master herbalist, states that nettle may also be helpful for asthma, insomnia, anemia, hot flashes, itchy skin, indigestion, constipation, headaches and dandruff.
Warnings
Not all herbs are safe for all people, and some herbs can cause side effects, interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications, or trigger allergic reactions. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated nettle or nettle tea for safety or effectiveness, which means there is no guarantee that any nettle you purchase is pure, safe or beneficial.
Consult your doctor before using any herb or over-the-counter supplement. Stinging nettle may cause mild upset stomach, fluid retention and rash. The herb may also alter a woman's menstrual cycle, possibly causing miscarriage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Drugs.com warns that using nettle tea at the same time as other formulations of nettle may increase your risk of overdose and side effects.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Stinging Nettle
- Drugs.com: Nettle
- Susan E. Mead, M.H.: Benefits of Nettles
- "International Urology and Nephrology"; Efficacy and Safety of a Combination of Sabal and Urtica Extract in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; N. Lopatkin et al.; 2007
- "Phytomedicine"; A Comprehensive Review on the Stinging Nettle Effect and Efficacy Profiles. Part II: Urticae Radix; J.E. Chrubasik et al.; August 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Allergies, Alternative Medicine
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