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Stinging nettle is also known as common nettle and Urtica dioica. It is native to Asia, North America, North Africa and Europe. Stinging nettles can grow up to one to two meters in height in the summer in winter it dies down to the ground. The stems and leaves contain lots of stinging hairs and non stinging hairs.
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Stinging nettle is used to treat kidney problems, arthritis, hay fever, anemia, hay fever, kidney problems, rheumatism, BPH and pain. Urtication is a process which involves applying stinging nettles deliberately to the skin so that inflammation occurs. It is an old remedy for rheumatism and it provides temporary pain relief.
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Stinging Nettle is sometimes eaten and has a similar flavor to spinach when cooked it contains iron, manganese, calcium potassium and contains vitamins D, C and A. Stinging nettle is available in capsule, as a cream and powdered form; additionally it is available as a tincture or tea. The extract is taken from the root or the leaf.
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A randomized controlled double-blind crossover study of twenty seven patients that have osteoarthritic pain at the bottom of the index finger or thumb was conducted. Stinging nettle extract was applied on the sore area daily for one week. Its effectiveness was compared to a placebo.
Observations of disability and pain were recorded for twelve weeks. After a week's treatment with stinging nettle, the score reductions on health assessment questionnaire (disability) and visual analogue scale (pain) were considerably greater than the placebo.
Laboratory studies show stinging nettle to be similar to a drug called finasteride. Finasteride is often prescribed for BPH because it slows the growth rate of some prostate cells. Finasteride however decreases prostate size while nettles do not.
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Stinging nettle is usually considered to be safe. However there are some occasional side effects such as fluid retention, mild stomach upset, fluid retention, and rash or hives. Care should be taken when handling nettles as there is a possibility that it may cause an allergic rash when touched. Stinging nettles should not be applied to open wounds.
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