Nettle's therapeutic uses
Nettle, particularly its leaves and roots, is recognized for various therapeutic uses, stemming from its historical applications in traditional medicine. The leaves are commonly utilized for managing allergies, while the roots are primarily employed to address benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), helping to alleviate urinary flow issues. Nettle is also noted for its anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide pain relief, particularly for conditions like arthritis. Additionally, it has potential benefits for urinary tract infections, blood sugar control, and lowering blood pressure, although more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in these areas.
In terms of nutritional value, nettle is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to its use as a dietary supplement. While safety studies indicate that nettle leaf is generally well-tolerated, the root has less extensive safety data, though adverse effects appear rare. It is important for individuals considering nettle for medicinal purposes to consult healthcare professionals, especially those on medications, due to potential interactions. Overall, the diverse applications of nettle highlight its longstanding role in natural health practices, meriting further exploration and understanding.
Nettle's therapeutic uses
- DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Allergies (nettle leaf), benign prostatic hyperplasia (nettle root), anti-inflammatory, pain relief, urinary tract infections, blood sugar control, lowering blood pressure, skin conditions, hair health
Overview
Anyone who lives where nettle grows wild will eventually discover the powers of this dark green plant. Depending on the species, the fine hairs on its leaves and stem cause burning pain that lasts from hours to weeks. However, this well-protected herb has also been used as medicine. Nettle juice was used in Hippocrates’ time to treat bites and stings, and European herbalists recommended nettle tea for lung disorders. Indigenous Americans used nettle tea to aid in pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing.
Therapeutic Dosages
Therapeutic dosages of nettle root extract vary according to preparation, and label instructions should be followed. Some nettle root products are standardized to their content of the substance scopoletin. Still, since this substance is not established as an active ingredient, the significance of this standardization remains unclear. For allergies, the studied dosage is 300 milligrams (mg) twice a day of freeze-dried nettle leaf.
Therapeutic Uses
Nettle root is more commonly used medicinally than the above-ground portion of the herb. In Europe, nettle root is widely used to treat treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement. Like saw palmetto, pygeum, and beta-sitosterol, nettle reduces urinary flow obstruction and decreases the need for nighttime urination. However, the evidence is not as strong for nettle as for these other treatments. Before self-treating prostate symptoms with nettle root, men should be sure to get a proper medical evaluation to rule out prostate cancer. These same benefits are also theorized to help increase urine flow and push out bacteria in patients with chronic urinary tract infections.
Nettle leaf has become a popular allergy treatment (hay fever) based on one preliminary double-blind study, although research has also produced mixed results. Nettle leaf is highly nutritious and, in cooked form, may be used as a general dietary supplement. It is high in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, amino acids, polyphenols, and pigments, which contribute to its antioxidant power, making it effective against chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Nettle may also lower blood pressure, though additional human studies are needed. A study published in 2013 showed nettle promoted as an anti-inflammatory, which may ease arthritis symptoms when applied topically. Similarly, topical application of nettle may have applications for wound healing. Nettle also has the potential to reduce bleeding, promote liver health, and act as a diuretic, though more studies on humans are necessary. Additional proposed therapeutic uses of nettle include muscle pain and soreness, alleviated by nettle’s anti-inflammatory properties, controlling blood sugar, which suggests benefits for diabetes management, skin conditions such as eczema, and promoting hair growth and scalp health.
Scientific Evidence
The evidence is much better for nettle root and prostatic enlargement than for nettle leaf and allergies.
Nettle root. Nettle root as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia has not been as well studied as saw palmetto, but the evidence is still substantial. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study performed in Iran, 558 people were given either placebo or nettle root for six months. The results indicated that nettle root is significantly more effective than placebo on all major measures of BPH severity. Benefits were seen in three other double-blind studies as well, enrolling more than 150 men.
There are theoretical reasons to believe that nettle root’s effectiveness might be enhanced when combined with another herb used for prostate problems: pygeum. Nettle has also been studied in combination with saw palmetto, with mixed results. Nettle root contains numerous biologically active chemicals that may influence the prostate indirectly by interacting with sex hormones or directly by altering the properties of prostate cells.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of nettle root have investigated its efficacy for treating allergies. One 2017 study investigating nettle root's ability to control the symptoms of allergic rhinitis did find some benefits, but the placebo group in the trial also experienced these benefits. A 2023 study investigating the effectiveness of nettle root in diabetes management demonstrated benefits for insulin management.
Nettle leaf. One preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled study following sixty-nine people suggests that freeze-dried nettle leaf may slightly improve allergy symptoms. One small double-blind study suggests that direct application of stinging nettle leaf to a painful joint may improve symptoms. Additional double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on nettle lead have been undertaken looking for benefits in treating BPH, osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes. The results of these studies were mainly positive, although more investigation is needed.
Safety Issues
Because nettle leaf has a long history of food use, it is believed to be safe. Nettle root does not have as extensive a history to go by. Although detailed safety studies have not been reported, no significant adverse effects have been noted in Germany, where nettle root is widely used. In practice, it is nearly free of side effects. In one study of 4,087 people who took 600 to 1,200 mg of nettle root daily for six months, less than 1 percent reported mild gastrointestinal distress, and only 0.19 percent experienced allergic reactions (skin rash).
For theoretical reasons, there are some concerns that nettle may interact with diabetes, blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, and sedative medications, although there are no reports of any problems occurring. The safety of nettle root or leaf for pregnant or nursing mothers has not been established, and there are concerns based on animal studies and its traditional use for inducing abortions. However, nettle leaf tea is a traditional drink for pregnant and nursing women.
Important Interactions
Nettle may interact with anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, sedative, or blood-sugar-lowering medications (although this is not likely), so people taking these medications should be aware and cautious.
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