The common nettle and garden nettle are called stinging nettle, because hairs or spines on the leaves and stems release irritating chemicals when touched. Stinging nettle can be taken in capsule form and as a tea made from extract, leaves or root. Drinking three to four cups per day, along with additional water is the standard recommendation for medical benefits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
Pain Relief
While touching stinging nettle can be painful, nettle appears to decrease already-existing pain. Nettle may decrease levels of inflammatory chemicals in the body, as explained by the UMMC, and by interfering with transmission of pain signals. The UMMC notes that in a study of people with osteoarthritis, participants taking an oral extract of stinging nettle, along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, were able to reduce the drug dosage. Nettle also may be helpful for gout, according to Arthritis Today.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Stinging nettle, combined with other herbs, appears to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement. These symptoms include reduced urinary flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder and a continual urge to urinate. In the laboratory, stinging nettle is comparable to the drug finasteride (Propecia) in slowing the growth of certain prostate cells, but it does not decrease prostate size as finasteride does. The UMMC explains that scientists are not sure why nettle is effective at reducing BPH symptoms, since it does not reduce prostate enlargement.
Hay Fever
Nettle may decrease the inflammatory response of histamine production when the body encounters an allergen. The herb is a traditional remedy for reducing sneezing and itching in people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Drinking an infusion of 2 cups a day is recommended for this purpose by the Digital Naturopath website.
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