Stinging Nettle - A spring medicinal plant.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

By Ursula Basch
Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. In medieval Europe, it was used as a diuretic and to treat joint pain.
Stinging nettle gets its name from the fine hairs on the leaves and stems which contain irritating chemicals that are released when the plant comes in contact with the skin. The stinging action of nettle has been used as a counter-irritant and can actually decrease the pain of arthritic joints. Scientists think nettle does this by interfering with the way the body transmits pain signals. The stinging action of the plant is eliminated if dried, cooked or brewed as a tea.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
In Europe, stinging nettle root is used to treat BPH, or enlargement of the prostate. An enlarged prostate gland presses on the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder) causing symptoms such as: reduced urinary flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, post urination dripping, and the constant urge to urinate. Studies suggest that stinging nettle, in combination with other herbs (especially saw palmetto), may be effective at relieving BPH symptoms. Laboratory studies have shown stinging nettle to be comparable to finasteride (a medication commonly prescribed for BPH) in slowing the growth of certain prostate cells. However, the herb does not decrease prostate size. It is important to work with a doctor to treat BPH, and to make sure you have a proper diagnosis to rule out prostate cancer.1
Hay Fever
Stinging Nettles also been used for relieving the symptoms of hay fever. People use nettles to reduce the sneezing, itchy and watery eyes associated with plant based allergies. People with allergies are best advised to start drinking nettle tea at the beginning of the allergy season.2
Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar
Nettles has also been used traditionally for it hypotensive and diuretic effects. Studies suggest that Nettles may lower blood sugar and blood pressure, however, these studies were conducted on animals and have not been proved for humans. 3

1 Efficacy and safety of a combination of Sabal and Urtica extract in lower urinary tract symptoms--long-term follow-up of a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial.
2 Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis.
3 Maintaining a physiological blood glucose level with 'glucolevel', a combination of four anti-diabetes plants used in the traditional arab herbal medicine.
The protective activity of Urtica dioica leaves on blood glucose concentration and beta-cells in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Other Studies:
Koch E. Extracts from fruits of saw palmetto (Sabal serrulata) and roots of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): viable alternatives in the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and associated lower urinary tracts symptoms. Planta Med. 2001;67(6):489-500.
Konrad L, Muller HH, Lenz C, Laubinger H, Aumuller G, Lichius JJ. Antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells by a stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica) extract. Planta Med. 2000;66(1):44-7.
Krzeski T, Kazon M, Borkowski A, Witeska A, Kuczera J. Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses. Clin Ther. 1993;15:1011–1020.