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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.
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