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Stinging nettles can reduce pain and inflammation associated with both infectious and non-infectious conditions. The conditions stinging nettles are purported to treat are:
Studies suggest that it shows promise in the treatment of the following conditions:
A number of studies have suggested that nettle may help relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). The effect is attributed to a plant-based compound known as beta-sitosterol, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.
A 2011 study from India examined the use of a stinging nettle extract in lab rats with medically induced BPH. After 28 days of treatment, the rats experienced a reduction in prostate size similar to the effects of the prostate drug finasteride.
The effect in humans has not been as consistent, in part because the studies usually involved a combination of herbal remedies, including stinging nettle. When investigating beta-sitosterol on its own, the effect on the prostate gland was far more clear.
According to a 2016 review of studies in the Journal of Cancer Science and Therapy, beta-sitosterol is able to reduce prostaglandin levels that directly influence prostate inflammation, reducing the blood flow and size of the gland itself.
Moreover, the effect appeared to be dose-dependent, meaning that larger doses conferred to greater reductions in prostate size. Still, it is unclear how much stinging nettle is needed to deliver a therapeutic dose of beta-sitosterol. Future research will ideally focus on this.
A number of studies have suggested that nettle can help alleviate allergies and ease symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and itching.
In 2009 lab study published in Phytotherapy Research, scientists found that nettle was able to reduce allergy symptoms by interfering with two key processes: the histamine response and the degranulation of mast cells.
Histamine is a compound that triggers the body's immune response to an allergen. The stinging nettle extract appears to block histamine from reaching receptors on tissue, reducing the severity of symptoms.
At the same time, stinging nettle prevents an enzyme known as tryptase from reaching mast cells. Under normal circumstances, tryptase causes mast cells to break open (degranulate) and release additional histamine into the bloodstream. Stinging nettle appears to blunt this effect, reducing the amount of histamine circulating in the body.
As with the BPH studies, it is unknown what dose of stinging nettle would be needed to achieve allergy relief.
There is evidence that taking a stinging nettle supplement or applying it to the skin may reduce pain in people with osteoarthritis ("wear-and-tear" arthritis).
It is believed that the very irritants that cause the "sting" of stinging nettles can inhibit enzymes known as cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). These are the same enzymes targeted by nonsteroidal painkillers like Aleve (naproxen), Voltaren (diclofenac), and Celebrex (celecoxib).
According to a 2013 review of studies from the University of Calfornia, Berkeley, stinging nettle possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that are non-toxic to cells and may be superior to traditional pain relievers.
These conclusions were not entirely supported. A 2013 review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews pointed out that studies investigating the use of stinging nettle in treating osteoarthritis were of "very low quality."
The researchers further asserted that other herbal remedies appear far more promising, including Arnica extract gel and Capsicum ointments and patches.
An effective means of treating hypertension and diabetes. This has been evidenced in part by 2016 study in the Journal of Translational Medicine in which lab rats experienced vasodilation (the relaxing of blood vessels) when injected with a crude stinging nettle extract.
A related study conducted in 2013 reported that a 500-milligram oral dose of stinging nettle taken every eight hours for three weeks was able to lower the blood pressure and blood sugar of people with advanced type 2 diabetes.
Despite the positive findings, the effect was not considered robust enough to be a viable stand-alone option for either hypertension or diabetes.
Rather, it suggests that stinging nettle may be useful for people on antihypertensive or antidiabetes drugs who are still having difficulty controlling their condition.
Stinging nettles are generally considered safe based on their traditional use as food and in folk remedies. Side effects are relatively mild. If taken by mouth, you may experience stomach upset and sweating. If used topically, it is not uncommon to develop skin irritation and rash.
Because of its possible effects on blood pressure and blood sugar, stinging nettle should be avoided if your hypertension or diabetes is well controlled with medications. Even if it isn't, speak with your doctor before using stinging nettle to fully understand the potential risks and benefits.
Stinging nettle also exerts a mild diuretic effect, mainly by irritating the kidneys. Avoid stinging nettle if you have a preexisting kidney condition as the long-term use may increase the risk of kidney damage. Stinging nettle can also amplify the effects of diuretics ("water pills") like Lasix (furosemide) and should be avoided.
This same diuretic effect can reduce the concentration of lithium in the blood, undermining the efficacy of the drug and potentially causing a rebound of depression, bipolar, or schizophrenia symptoms.
Due to the lack of safety research, stinging nettle should not be used in children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers.
Some people will finely chop the herb to make a refreshing medicinal tea.
Fresh stinging nettle can also be sourced through specialist grocers. It can be steamed or sautéed in the same way that chard and kale are. Nettle has a spinach-like and slightly minty flavor that many find appealing, particularly when added to vegetable or puréed soups.
The main challenge when foraging for wild nettle is ensuring that you pick the right plant. Stinging nettle grows from early spring through the summer. The best time to harvest is in the spring when the plans are no taller than a foot and are not yet blossoming. Older plants tend to be tougher and have a bitter taste.
To avoid stings, always bring along a pair of gloves.
Avoid picking nettle near roadways or places where pesticides are used.
Stinging nettles are usually recognized by their slight hairy and serrated-edged leaves. Unless you are completely sure what a plant is, do not harvest it. There are smartphone apps today like FlowerChecker, Google Goggles, and PlantSnapp that allow you to photograph a plant and confirm the general species.
It is important to blanch or steam the nettles for a few minutes to leach some of the stinging agent (folic acid) from the plant. You can then prepare nettles as would you any other hearty green.
Wrap fresh uncooked nettles in moist paper towels, and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to four days. Frozen nettles can keep for up to eight months. Dried Nettle can keep for years if stored in a cool dark place.