This flowering perennial can be found growing wild in the wastelands of the United States, Canada, and Europe. It's even used as a kitchen herb in many parts of world. Luckily, drying or boiling the plant dissolves the painful bristles. Many people like to steam the leaves to eat like spinach, or simmer them in soup. The young shoots are actually quite rich in vitamin C.

Health Benefits

The herb and leaf have several known therapeutic qualities: They fight inflammation, act as an antihistamine, and have a diuretic effect, meaning they increase the flow of urine. The herb has also been explored as a treatment for the premenstrual bloating (fluid retention) that many women develop before their periods.

Arthritis sufferers may Benefit from nettle's anti-inflammatory actions. In fact, nettle leaf extract is a Native American folk remedy for rheumatic pains. Topical formulations of nettle herb juice have been used to treat joint pain, too, as well as acne, hemorrhoids, and other skin problems. There is now evidence that taking the herb along with a prescription arthritis drug (diclofenac was used in one study) enables arthritis sufferers to reduce their dosage of prescription medication. (Don't undertake such a change without consulting your doctor, however.)

Rich in silica and other minerals important for nail growth, a cup of nettle leaf tea a day may help to nourish and strengthen nails.

Specifically, nettle may help to:

1. Fight urinary tract infections. Drinking nettle leaf tea has become popular in Germany for treating bladder infections and other inflammations of the lower urinary tract. In addition to promoting the excretion of excess fluids (which helps flush out harmful bacteria) the herb has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Treat prostate problems. Nettle root appears to be particularly useful for men with BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia), a condition in which the prostate gland gradually enlarges, slowly narrowing the urethra that drains urine from the bladder and ultimately causing urination difficulties. Study findings indicate that preparations made from nettle root specifically (not the stems or leaves) may relieve some of the early symptoms of BPH, including nighttime urination and residual urine. The root may do this by slowing the growth of the prostate, but more research is needed.

3. Nettle root extract, when blended with an extract of the herb pygeum africanum, may inhibit the hormonal changes that lead to BPH. In fact, herbal remedies for prostate enlargement frequently combine these herbs along with saw palmetto, another natural substance that has shown great promise in controlling BPH symptoms.

4. Reduce seasonal allergy (hay fever) symptoms. Familiar hay fever symptoms--nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes--are triggered by an immune-system overreaction to airborne particles (allergens) such as pollen and ragweed. Nettle leaf may help minimize hay fever discomforts by supplying compounds that inhibit the release of histamine, the inflammatory substance triggered by these allergens.

5. Unfortunately, there has been very little research on the value of nettle for hay fever sufferers. In one clinical trial, however, more than half of the hay fever sufferers taking nettle (in freeze-dried form) reported moderate to excellent relief from allergy symptoms. In contrast, less than 40% of those taking a placebo felt any better.

Forms :
tincture
liquid
dried herb/tea
capsule

Dosage Information

Special tip: When buying nettle supplements, make sure to differentiate nettle leaf from nettle root because they are used differently. Try to purchase either in a freeze-dried form or as a standardized extract.

For urinary tract infections: Drink several cups of nettle leaf tea daily. To make the tea, use 2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaf for each 8 ounces of water. Pour very hot (not boiling) water over the herb, steep for 5 minutes, and then strain. You can add 1 teaspoon of echinacea or goldenseal to the tea to enhance its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects.

For prostate problems: Take 500 mg standardized extract of nettle root twice a day in conjunction with other prostate-healthy herbs such as saw palmetto (160 mg twice a day) and pygeum africanum (100 mg twice a day).

For seasonal allergies: Take a 250 mg or 300 mg nettle leaf capsule containing the standardized extract three times a day on an empty stomach.

Don't stop taking a prescription medication and start taking nettle root for prostate problems without discussing the change with your doctor.

If you have diabetes, consult your doctor about taking nettle; recent animal studies indicate that the herb may increase blood sugar levels, not decrease them as suggested previously.

Don't take nettle if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Consult your doctor before taking nettle leaf for swelling or other fluid retention associated with such potentially serious disorders as impaired heart or kidney function.

Allergies   250-300 mg nettle leaf extract 3 times a day.

Prostate Problems   250 mg nettle root extract twice a day.