Quest Vitamins LTD,
8 Venture Way,
Aston Science Park,
Birmingham,
B7 4AP.

Tel: 0121 359 0056
Fax: 0121 359 0313
Email: info@questvitamins.co.uk
Registered in England No. 2530437

Nettle (Urtica dioica)

DESCRIPTION

Also called "devil?s plaything" or "stinging nettle," this plant is best known for the extremely irritating substances injected by its hairs into the Skin upon contact. Nettle leaves, however, can be used nutritionally and medicinally for many beneficial purposes. It helps in digestion, kidney function, and blood circulation. Although used in Europe to stimulate the secretion of mother?s milk, this property has not been clinically proven.

HERBAL USES

In the time of Hippocrates, nettle juice was used to treat Bites and Stings. Europeans drank nettle tea to treat lung disorders, while Native Americans used the tea to aid Pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing.

SUGGESTED INTAKES

Parts of the plant used: ROOT, LEAF.

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, 4 to 6 g daily of the whole root, or proportional amount of concentrated extract.

For allergies, 300 mg twice a day of freeze-dried nettle leaf

SUPPLEMENTAL USES

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):
Men with enlarged prostate should have an examination done to rule out prostate cancer. If benign, nettle root can be used as treatment. Nettle root contains active chemicals that may influence the prostate, sex hormones, and reduce Inflammation(1-4). Nettle root appears to increase the flow of urine and decrease the need for night-time urination. Several double-blind studies have demonstrated the benefits of nettle on urination (5,6,7). Further scientific evidence is needed, however, to verify the benefits of nettle.

Allergies:
A preliminary study done at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland indicates that nettle may be effective treatment for allergies.

Nutritional supplement:
Nettle leaf is highly nutritious. When cooked, it can be a valuable supplement to the diet.

Other possible benefits of nettle include lowering blood sugar levels and acting as an astringent.

SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS

Nettle has a long history of use as food, so it is considered to be safe. While detailed studies have not been conducted, a large-scale study reported less than 1% had side effects, limited to mild gastrointestinal stress and allergic reactions (8).

When handling the fresh plant, extreme caution should be used due to nettle?s stinging properties. Handlers should wear one or even two pairs of gloves.

Safety in nursing or pregnant women has not been determined. However, nettle leaf tea is a traditional drink for nursing and pregnant women.

INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Theoretically, nettle may interfere with anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, sedative, or blood sugar-lowering medications. However, no problems have yet been reported.

REFERENCES

1. Hryb DJ, et al. The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Planta Med 61: 31-32, 1995.
2. Wagner H, et al. Search for the antiprostatic principle of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) roots. Phytomedicine 1: 213-224, 1994.
3. Schulz V, et al. Rational phytotherapy. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1998: 229.
4. ESCOP monographs. Fascicule 2: Urticae radix. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, 1996: 2-4.
5. Dathe G, et al. Phytotherpie der beignen Prostatahyperplasie . Urologe B 27: 223-226, 1987.
6. ESCOP monographs. Fascicule 2: Urticae radix. Exeter, UK: 1996: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, 4.
7. ESCOP monographs. Fascicule 2: Urticae radix. Exeter, UK: 1996: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, 4.
8. ESCOP monographs. Fascicule 2: Urticae radix. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, 1996: 5.