Urtica dioica, commonly referred to as nettles, are perennial plants that are native to Europe, but also found throughout the United States and parts of Canada. Nettles have a long history of medicinal use, and the leaves and roots are made into a tea and drunk for a variety of health-enhancing purposes. Nettles might cause unwanted side effects and interact with certain medications, however, and you should consult your health care practitioner before drinking nettle tea.
Nutritional Profile
Nettles are nutrient dense and contain fatty acids, the minerals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur and zinc, as well as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, C, E, K and folate. In addition, nettles contain numerous phytochemicals, including lycopene, beta-carotene, caffeic acid, acetic acid and betaine. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring plant compounds that prevent free-radical-induced damage to your cells and DNA, and thereby help prevent and treat diseases in humans. According to nutritionist Phyllis Balch and Dr. James Balch, in their book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," nettles have anti-inflammatory, diuretic and pain-relieving properties. They also have expectorant properties, which means they can help relieve respiratory difficulties by dissolving and clearing excess mucus from your lungs.
Health Benefits and Uses
Alternative medicine practitioners use nettle tea as a general health tonic and to help treat anemia, asthma, allergies such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, cancer, diabetes, goiter, kidney problems and malabsorption syndrome. People also drink nettle tea to treat inflammatory disorders such as urinary tract inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Most of these uses are based on anecdotal reports and not solid scientific evidence, however.
Drug Interactions
Consuming excessive amounts of nettle tea might result in undesirable drug interactions. "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database" says some evidence suggests nettles can decrease blood sugar levels, and that drinking excessive amounts of nettle tea might theoretically interfere with blood sugar control. Nettles might also lower blood pressure and have an additive effect with antihypertensive drugs. In addition, nettles might suppress central nervous system activity and might increase the effects of central nervous system depressant drugs, such as those used to treat anxiety and/or insomnia. Some concerns also exist that nettles might decrease the effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs because they contain a significant amount of vitamin K, a vitamin that encourages blood clotting. Finally, excessive amounts of nettle tea might increase circulating levels of lithium drugs, so if you are on lithium, your lithium dosage might need to be decreased.
Additional Warnings
Nettle tea might have uterine-stimulating and abortifacient properties, and drugs.com recommends avoiding the tea if you are pregnant. Aside from potential drug interactions, and use in pregnant women, nettle tea is generally considered safe and nontoxic. It might, however, cause mild side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, sweating and allergic skin reactions when consumed excessively.
References
- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: Therapeutic Research Faculty
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A Balch and Dr. James Balch; 2003.
- Drugs.com: Nettles
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