Eight Health Benefits of Stinging Nettle

by Rodallega, Aug 22, 2008

Here is an article about the benefits of stinging nettle.

Once I was listening the health benefits of herbs on the radio, a specialist on the herbs said that stinging nettle was one of the most effective and beneficial herbs for our health. He said that if people was aware of the benefits of nettle and how curative it was, they cultivated nothing but nettle. This allegation may seem a little bit unrealitic or pretentious, however it has many great benefits indeed.

Stinging nettle, or commonly know with it's botanical name Urtica Dioica, is a plant growing in the tropical areas around the world. The homeland of nettle is Brazil and other South American countries. It is also abundant in Northern Europe and Asia. Nettle has a well-known reputation for giving a sting when the skin touches the hairs and bristles on the leaves and stems. It grows 2 to 4 meters.It has white,green and yellow leaves. When someone feels being stung by nettle, this is actually because of the irritants in the nettle. Some of those irritants are formic acid,histamine and acetylcholine. After this little introduction about stinging nettle, let's talk about our main topic, that is, the health benefits of it.

Here is some of the well-known curative properties of nettle.

It is used as diuretic
It is used to treat anemia since nettle leaves contain high amount of iron content. It also helps to formation and coagulation of blood cells.
It is used in the treatment of arthrites and rheumatism
It protects respiratory and urinary problems
It decreases the risk of eczema and other skin disorders. Additionally, it is used in asthma treatment.
It is used in the treatment of benign prostate
It is used in the treatment of sinusitis and rhinitis
It protects hair loss (Alopecia)

Comments (42)

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#1 by Patchman, Aug 22, 2008

It bits my hand like a bee.

#2 by R J Evans, Aug 22, 2008

Cool article! Thanks!

#3 by zyxon, Aug 22, 2008

But how does it taste in a stirfry?

#4 by Turkishboy, Aug 23, 2008

Isırgan otu olarakda bilinen bu bitkinin saç dökülmesini önlediği biliniyor.

#5 by Patchman, Aug 23, 2008

Do not touch nettle leaves, it burns your body like fire.

#6 by MorganMghee, Aug 23, 2008

if you get stung while handling, the enzymes in milk that neutralize hot peppers also neutralize stinging nettle oil. soak a cloth with milk and hold gently against the area stung. Some oil may remain, and agitate again if rubbed, re-apply the milk. Twice or three times is usually all that is needed.

#7 by kazz67, Aug 23, 2008

Did you know that tomatoes will 'move away' from stinging nettles if the nettles happen to be growing close by?
I recently build a little greenhouse type thing (made it from an old wardrobe frame and some sheets of corragated perspex). Anyway, a nettle found it's way in there and all my tomato plants (which I hadn't tied properly) began to lean over towards the opposite side of the greenhouse!

#8 by harouni, Aug 23, 2008

Thanks for this. Soon, I want to learn about all the health giving properties of all the herbs and plants of the world. Thanks for sharing:)

#9 by razorsharpwit, Aug 23, 2008

I wonder if sitwell knows about this

#10 by booklover, Aug 23, 2008

nettle is only plant/flower out of millions that can cure physical and mental illness. I bought a book called Aromatherapy & Herbalism by international metaphysical author Rochelle Moore and it is listed out alphabetically e.g, acne,abscesses,anxiety etc.. right thru to depression,fears,phobias, - excellent book using ancient and modern day cures (natural) with essential oils and flowers - amazon

#11 by mangie, Aug 23, 2008

cool stuff on herbs

#12 by bijou, Aug 23, 2008

Try unique and stylish stinging nettle scarves to make sure you stand head and shoulders above the crowd this spring and summer

#13 by perisher, Aug 23, 2008

Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat rheumatism (disorders of the muscles and joints), eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), for urinary tract infections, for kidney stones, for hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites. In fact, some small but well designed studies are beginning to confirm that certain traditional uses have scientific validity, particularly osteoarthritis especially when used in conjunction with anti-inflammatory medications (see Possible Interactions), and BPH. Plus, recent laboratory studies are offering plausible explanations for why stinging nettles might help rheumatoid arthritis as well as several of the conditions already mentioned.

#14 by BlueJones, Aug 23, 2008

Interesting, must admit I don't know much about it, but would certainly give it a try as you can make a tea from the dry leaves or purchase it in capsule form.

#15 by Puriffo, Aug 24, 2008

The stinging nettle has stimulating action on the kidneys and bladder. Nettle shoots, eating during spring, helps to clean the body of toxins. Stinging nettle is used to treat inflammation of the urinary tract and kidney gravel.
Stinging nettle improves the excretion of uric acid thereby reducing the symptoms of gout and arthritis.
Stinging nettle leaves have diuretic properties. Nettle root is also used for the treatment of urinary retention caused by prostate enlargement.
Lectins present in stinging nettle appear to stimulate the immune system.

#16 by magiclove, Aug 24, 2008

#17 by micky, Aug 24, 2008

When you use herbal remedies, be aware that they can be extremely powerful, and should you have any side effects when taking these infusions, immediately stop using the herb and consult your health practitioner right away.

#18 by Dandan, Aug 24, 2008

Romatizma ve mafsal ağrılarında buralara uygulanırsa kan dolaşımını uyaracağından ağrıların giderilmesine yarcımcı olur. Yalnız bu işleme deri kızarınca hemen son vermek gerekir.

#19 by kuddie, Aug 24, 2008

The stinging reaction caused by the plant hairs is said to contain many active ingredients, such as formic acid, like what ant’s inject when they bite your skin and make you sting and burn, not to mention, itch. Other ingredients include: histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, hydroxytryptamine and other irritants. So, many of these ingredients are neurotransmitters and affect nerve cells, so this is probably why it gives such an irritant effect, and why it may be better used for alopecia areata.

#20 by benjamin, Aug 25, 2008

In Europe, nettle root is widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate enlargement. Like saw palmetto, pygeum, and beta-sitosterol, nettle appears to reduce obstruction to urinary flow and decrease the need for nighttime urination. However, the evidence is not as strong for nettle as it is for these other treatments. Nettle leaf has recently become a popular treatment for allergies (hay fever) based on one preliminary study. Nettle leaf is highly nutritious, and in cooked form may be used as a general dietary supplement.

#21 by pipons, Aug 25, 2008

The stinging nettle plant has been used historically as a mild diuretic; to treat infections of the lower urinary tract, anemia, hemorrhoids, asthma, hay fever, and other allergies; to stop bleeding; and to heal wounds. American Indians use nettles to treat rheumatic conditions, such as arthritis. Nettle tea has also been used for eczema and other chronic skin conditions. Some people enjoy cooking the young leaves and eating them as a green vegetable. They do contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Today, a nettle extract is used to formulate skin and hair care products.

#22 by juanjux, Aug 25, 2008

Stinging nettle preparations have produced a positive diuretic effect in clinical trials. High levels of flavonoids in nettles may contribute to its diuretic action. Patients with cardiac or chronic venous insufficiency who were treated with stinging nettle juice for two weeks experienced a significant increase in urinary output and a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure. The hypotensive effect of nettles has also been seen in experimental animals. Nettle leaves have been recommended for inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract.

#23 by bully, Aug 29, 2008

The fresh leaves of nettles have been rubbed or beaten onto the skin in the treatment of rheumatism. This practice, called urtification, causes intense irritation to the skin as it is stung by the nettles. It is believed that this treatment works in two ways. Firstly, it acts as a counter-irritant, bringing more blood to the area to help remove the toxins that cause rheumatism. Secondly, the formic acid from the nettles is believed to have a beneficial effect upon the rheumatic joints.

#24 by wulmin, Aug 30, 2008

Nettle root is recommended for complaints associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We therefore conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to summarise the pharmacological and clinical effects of this plant material. Only a few components of the active principle have been identified and the mechanism of action is still unclear. It seems likely that sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), aromatase, epidermal growth factor and prostate steroid membrane receptors are involved in the anti-prostatic effect, but less likely that 5alpha-reductase or androgen receptors are involved. Extract and a polysaccharide fraction were shown to exert anti-inflammatory activity. A proprietary methanolic nettle root extract and particular fractions inhibited cell proliferation. Isolated lectins (UDA) were shown to be promising immunomodulatory agents, having also anti-viral and fungistatic effects. However, despite these in vitro studies it is unclear whether the in-vitro or animal data are a surrogate for clinical effects. The clinical evidence of effectiveness for nettle root in the treatment of BPH is based on many open studies. A small number of randomised controlled studies indicate that a proprietary methanolic extract is effective in improving BPH complaints. However, the significance and magnitude of the effect remains to be established in further confirmatory studies before nettle root treatment may be accepted in the guidelines for BPH treatment. The risk for adverse events during nettle root treatment is very low, as is its toxicity. Pre-clinical safety data remain to be completed.

#25 by drobjnicak, Aug 31, 2008

American stinging nettle is the most common subspecies in temperate
North America and occurs throughout Canada and much of the United
States. In the East and Midwest, American stinging nettle occurs as far
south as Virginia, Missouri, and Kansas; in the West, it occurs south
along the coast to central California and south in the Rocky Mountains
to Mexico. European stinging nettle occurs primarily along the Atlantic
Coast from Newfoundland south to Georgia and Alabama. It is recently
adventive westward in Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Alaska. Hoary
nettle is native to the western United States. It occurs from eastern
Washington south through California to Mexico, east to northern Arizona
and extreme northwestern Colorado, and north to western Wyoming and
southwestern Montana

#26 by nicolita, Aug 31, 2008

Recent studies suggest that the leaf tea aids coagulation and formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells. A freeze-dried nettle leaf product has shown slight activity in the treatment of allergies. Several studies indicate that the leaf extract depresses the central nervous system and inhibits bacteria and adrenaline. Stinging nettle's diuretic activity has been the subject of a number of German studies. Animals fed stinging nettle showed increased excretion of chlorides and urea. The juice has a distinctly diuretic effect in patients with heart disorders or chronic venous insufficiency. The herb's high potassium content and flavonoids may contribute to its diuretic action. In Germany, the herb is used for supportive treatment of rheumatic complaints and kidney infections.

#27 by arian, Sep 4, 2008

Stinging nettles are all well and good until your brother dares you to grab a handful of one and hold on for as long as possible.
That said, I always keep nettle tea in the house.

#28 by monkeipeg, Oct 15, 2008

My question is if this plant stings, why would you want to rub it on your skin to help eczema or arthritis? How do you use its medicinal benefits?

#29 by miragana, Nov 2, 2008

Good day!
It is very informative and has a very good quality in it.
I like it...

Self Improvement
Modern Rifle
Happy Halloween

Thank you very much for your time.

#30 by Reply re: Rochelle Moore's book Aromatherapy & Herbalism, Nov 28, 2008

I too read Aromatherapy & Herbalism by celtic witch Rochelle Moore and found the information excellent. Nettles can be used for so many purposes - the main illness that comes to mind is Angina. If you boil the leaves and make tea out of the boiled water this cures angina pains and eventually, angina.
TTFN
Grace Anne

#31 by

Bren Parks, Mar 10, 2009

Great read..it amazing that most of our modern medicines are still derived from plants....

#32 by

Sotiris, Mar 10, 2009

It's a great plant. I heard that in Cyprus they use it a lot!

#33 by Juancav, Mar 10, 2009

A good information and beneficial to health.

#34 by

nutuba, Mar 10, 2009

Fascinating! Wonder if there are uses for poison ivy?

#35 by MGL, Mar 11, 2009

Most of our Pharmacoepeia comes from plants like this. The Pharma companies simply find the active ingredient and then market it.
It's just that it costs a lot when they do it.

#36 by

Bo Jack Russo, Mar 28, 2009

I want to tell you something else it also does,it helps people with allergies to cats.It was suggested to me by mom in law and keeps my eyes a lot drier around them as they have many cats and I will literally almost be crying around them.

#37 by streetinmason, Apr 15, 2009

I been using Stinging Nettle for nightly congestion relief....works great. Bye, bye pricey Rx inhalers & nasal sprays.

#38 by Kattia, May 25, 2009

My cousin dared me to touch stinging nettles when I was 15. Well, did I touch it? I jumped into the whole bush and got covered in stings! I rubbed dock leaves to alleviate the itching.I was very proud of myself as I knew I was not risking my life but merely proving that I was not afraid.
The reason why I am telling you this is that my skin did not suffer apart from itchiness and my late teens I decided to explore wild plant therapies. I picked nettles and made a face steam to cleanse my skin and even made a face-mask form pulped nettles. I never suffered from acne and to this day, have a very youthful skin and I promise you - no wrinkles! I do not suffer from any arthritus or rhematism (i am 50) although it runs rife in the family.
I feel it has many long term health benefits and is never too late to use its benefits. I also feel that the 'stinging' of the nettles has anti-inflammotory properties with the only side effect being itching which does not last very long. If you cannot bear the itching, just rub dock leaves.

#39 by nick cole, May 25, 2009

"Did you know that tomatoes will 'move away' from stinging nettles if the nettles happen to be growing close by?" -by Kazz67

Wow, this is a very cool information. According t drugstoretm.com the leaves of this botanical plant are being used to develop medicines for anemia because of it's high iron content.

#40 by rachel bekesza, May 25, 2009

5 things not to do with stinging nettle

1. dont lick it
2. dont jump in it
3. dont roll in it
4. dont use as a antipersperint
5. it is not a roll of toilet paper

#41 by eric, Jun 3, 2009

my neighbour disolved his kidney stones by boiling the plant and drinking the juice.believe it or not!

#42 by Ali, Jun 23, 2009

Removing my nettle bush use to be a dreaded annual job. Now I treat it as part of the garden. Its delicious raw or cooked in soup, stir fry, salad or quiche, use it like spinach. I love brewing it for tea. I trim off the tops before it goes to seed, encouraging fresh tender little baby leaves to grow, they are delicious in a pan with a little butter and garlic, the turn a deep juicy nutritious bright green. This little super-food has amazing health benefits.
Quoted from bnet;
\" Nettles are fantastically high in vitamins A and C, and rich in nutrients, including calcium, choline, magnesium, boron, iron, iodine, silica, sulfur, potassium, chlorophyll, histamine, serotonin, glucoquinones, bioflavonoids, tannins and amino acids. They\'re unusually high in protein (40%) for a plant. And because they\'re so nutrient-dense, they make a good overall tonic for strengthening the body. Useful in treating anemia, their high vitamin C content helps ensure that the iron is properly absorbed by the body.\"

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Eight Health Benefits of Stinging Nettle

Here is an article about the benefits of stinging nettle.

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