Stinging nettle Health Benefits

Stinging nettle Effects, Health benefits, Side Effects

What is Stinging nettle a plant that has spikes or hairs that cause skin rashes but has long been used as food and herbal medicine
Stinging nettle Health Benefits Stinging nettle has been traditionally used to treat joint and muscle pains, hay fever treatment and in improving BPH symptoms.

Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle Side effects and warnings. Stinging nettle is considered safe at recommended dosages. May cause side effects such skin rash, stomach upset and frequent urination. May not be safe for pregnant women and children in high doses.


What is Stinging nettle

nettleCommon Names: Stinging nettle, burn nettle, rash nettle, nettle leaf

Scientific Name: Urtica dioica and Urtica urens

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica and Urtica urens) has a long history of use as a medicine and as a food source. The name stinging nettle came from the plant’s many hollow stinging hairs which acts as a hypodemic needles that effects a stinging sensation on humans and animals.  Though the hairs or spines are painful to touch, when it comes in contact to a painful area in the body, it somewhat reduces the pain. Traditional uses include its pain relieving effects, used as treatment for urinary problems and as anti-inflammatory treatment for body pains.

Stinging Nettle Plant Description

Stinging nettle is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant growing up to 2 meters in height that is native to Asia, Northern Africa, North America and Europe and has long been present in other colder regions. Stinging nettle have erect stems with heart shaped leaves tapering at the end and have serrated margins.  The flowers are green, yellow or pink in dense axillary inflorescences. Stinging nettle leaves and stems are hairy where some of the hairs will break its tip when touched releasing chemicals that effects a painful sting of burning sensation commonly termed as stinging nettle rash.

Stinging nettle rash is a condition where a reddish itchy weals or swellings in the skin manifest due to contact with the stinging nettle plant. However, the term has become a general term to similar skin conditions with the same symptoms that resulted from other stimuli other than a contact with stinging nettle plant such that of allergic reaction to other allergens.

Although stinging nettle seems to be a nuisance plant, it offers health benefits when used appropriately.




Traditional Health Benefits of Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle has  long been used in traditional medicine for its pain relieving effects and benefits. Stinging nettle is used to treat arthritis, gout, joint pains, sprains and muscle pains. It is also known for its benefits in treating urinary problems including urinary tract infections (UTI) as well as treatment of early stages of enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).




Scientific Studies of Stinging nettle Health Benefits


Benefits of Stinging Nettle Extract to Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Journal of  Rheumatology. April 2002, published a report about a study of  the immmunosuppressant effect of IDS 30, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on myeloid dendritic cells in vitro. Based from the findings of this study, the dendritic cells are important antigen presenting cells that play a role in the initiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The stinging nettle leaf extract IDS 30 (Hox alpha) has prevented the maturation of dendritic cells leading to reduced induction of primary T cell responses. This suggests that the stinging nettle IDS 30 extract can contribute to the therapeutic effect on T cell mediated inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. [1]

Anti-Oxidative Stress Benefit of Stinging Nettle Extract

The Pakistan Journal of Biological Science January 2012 issue reported a study on the effects of hydro alcoholic nettle (Urtica dioica) extract on oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. In this study the hydro alcoholic nettle has demonstrated that after 8 weeks of treatment, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxidant dismutase (SOD) showed a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The findings showed that the hydro alcoholic extract of nettle has increasing effects on TAC and SOD in patients with type 2 diabetes without changes in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione Peroxides (GPX) after eight weeks intervention. [2]

Arnica and Stinging Nettle Burn Healing Effects

The Journal in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, September 2011 issue has reported a self experimentation study on the effects of arnica and stinging nettle gel for burns. The study compared the effects of Combudoron, a gel composed of extracts from arnica and stinging nettle, to that of a placebo in treating laser induced burns. Results have shown that the eschars of the verum-treated burns fell off earlier than the placebo-treated burns. The study concluded that Combudoron seems to have positive effects on healing of grade 2 laser induced burns and recommended further investigation. [3]

Stinging Nettle Extract: Benefits for Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever.

In Phytotherapy Research of July 2009, A study has been reported that investigated the benefits of stinging nettle extract on the key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. The study has shown that stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) extract shows in vitro inhibition of several key inflammatory events that cause the symptoms of seasonal allergies. These include the antagonist and negative agonist activity against the Histamine-1 (H(1)) receptor and the inhibition of mast cell tryptase preventing degranulation and release of a host of pro-inflammatory mediators that cause the symptoms of hay fevers.

Stinging Nettle Benefits for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

The Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 2005 reported a study investigating Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. It  has been found that patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that underwent stinging nettle treatment for 6 months demonstrated an improved urinary flow rate, lower  postvoid residual urine volume and smaller prostate gland size. The benefits of stinging nettle treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia have been confirmed but further investigation was also suggested. [4]

Anti-Ulcer, Antimicrobial, Anti-oxidant and Analgesic Benefits from Nettle.

The Journal of Ethnopharmacology, February 2004 has reported that a study was done in Turkey that investigated the health benefits of stinging nettle water extract. It has been found that stinging nettle has powerful antioxidant activity against a variety of free radical scavenging compounds. The water extract of stinging nettle has antimicrobial effects against nine identified microorganisms at the same time has demonstrated protective benefits against ethanol-induced ulcerogenesis. It also demonstrated analgesic  activity against acetic acid-induced strethching. [4]

Effects of Stinging Nettle Extract on Chronic Colitis

The International Journal of Colorectal Disease. (2005 Jan) reported a study that investigated the effects of stinging nettle extract - IDS 30 on chronic colitis. Results have shown that in murine colitis model, IDS 30 reduced significantly the signs of colitis when compared to untreated animals. The study concluded that the long-term use of IDS 30 is effective in the prevention of chronic murine colitis. This effect seems to be due to a decrease in the Th1 response and may be a new therapeutic option for prolonging remission in inflammatory bowel disease.



Stinging nettle Availability and Preparation

Where to buy Stinging nettle medicine

Stinging nettle is available in most health stores in the form of dried leaf, extract, capsules, tablets, as root tincture and tea. Stinging nettle is also sold as gels, ointments and creams for topical application.

Stinging nettle extracts and ointments also abound in online stores. Amazon.com provides a long list of products to choose from. You can try this Nettles Leaf Organic - 1 Lb. - Bulk

How to Take It:

Pediatric

Stinging nettle may be safely given to older children at prescribed dosage by a competent medical practitioner.

Adult

Stinging nettle is available in many forms thereby there are many ways to take it. It is best to follow the instructions of your trusted medical practitioner or follow the recommended dosage in the product labels.




Stinging nettle Dosage, Side Effects and Warnings

Stinging nettle is considered safe when used appropriately and for less than 6 months.

Stinging nettle can cause unwanted side effects for women who are pregnant or breast feeding. Stinging nettle is thereby not recommended during these conditions.

Stinging nettle side effects include skin irritation, stomach upset and sweating.

Caution is advised when using stinging nettle with the following conditions:

  • Diabetes : Stinging nettle can effect changes in the serum sugar level. Close monitoring is advised.
  • High Blood Pressure: Stinging nettle can magnify the effects of blood pressure medications that may result to very low blood pressure. Ask your doctor before taking stinging nettle.
  • Kidney Problems: Stinging nettle effects an increased urine flow that may affect kidney function. Ask your doctor before using it.
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Always visit your doctor for evaluation against the possibility of having a prostate cancer.



Other Related articles

Vitamins healthy benefits
Okra Medicinal Vegetable Health benefits include relief from upper respiratory problems, urinary problems, fever, arthritis and many toehrs
Dandelion Medicinal Herb flowering edible plant that is native from Europe and North America. It has many folkloric health benefits for kidney and liver problem
Green tea Health Benefits Green tea has been traditionally used to improve blood flow and to highten the alertness and as a general health tonic.
Grape seed Health Benefits Grape seed is a strong antioxidant that possess anti-cancer activity and is considered to benefit the heart and diabetic patients.


Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

disease category


alternative medicine vs. conventional medicine

Herbal Medicines