Nettles

Common names: Nettles also is known as stinging nettle and nettle.

Efficacy rating:

●●●...Positive clinical trials

Safety rating:

What is Nettles?

User Reviews & Ratings As a treatment for... Avg User Ratings [?] Overactive Bladder Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Bronchitis Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Showing 3 of 4 conditions - Show All... Compare with other drugs.

Nettles are perennial plants native to Europe and found throughout the US and parts of Canada. The plant has dark green serrated leaves that grow opposite each other along the stalk. The leaves contain bristles that transmit irritating principles upon contact.

What is Nettles used for?

This plant is known for its stinging properties. However, it has been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, antispasmodic, expectorant, and treatment for asthma. The juice has been purported to stimulate hair growth when applied to the scalp. Extracts of the leaves have been used topically for the treatment of rheumatic disorders. Other folk medicine applications include wound healing and gastric juice secretion. Nettles purported claims against diabetes, cancer, eczema, rheumatism, and aging have been reported but are probably related to its “age-old” roles in folk medicine. The tender tips of young nettles have been used as a cooked pot herb in salads.

Proven as a diuretic, nettles also are being investigated as treatment for the urinary tract with positive early results. The German Commission E Monograph supports this indication by its similar listing for “irrigation in inflammation of the urinary tract and in the prevention and treatment of kidney gravel.” Treatment increases urine volume and decreases systolic blood pressure. It also has been used as an antispasmodic, expectorant, and treatment for asthma. Freeze-dried nettle has been evaluated for allergic rhinitis. In a double-blind trial, hay fever sufferers who completed the trial judged the nettle preparations to be moderately to highly effective in treatment vs placebo. More clinical studies are needed to prove the medicinal benefits of nettles.

What is the dosage of Nettles?

The herb is used as a diuretic at doses of 8 to 12 g/day. In contrast, the root is used for urinary conditions such as benign prostate hypertrophy at 4 to 6 g/day.

Is Nettles safe?

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Documented adverse effects (reputed abortive and to affect menstrual cycle). Avoid use.

Due to the tannin content of nettles, iron absorption may be inhibited. Avoid taking iron and nettles concurrently.

Internal side effects are rare and are allergic in nature. External side effects result from skin contact and take the form of burning and stinging that persist for 12 hours or more.

No major toxicities have been reported with nettles.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

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