Nettle

Also known as:  Stinging Nettle

Nettle is an Herb noted for its painful sting.

Botanical Names

 Urtica dioica  (Common perennial Nettle;  Stinging Nettle).

 Urticaria urens  (Annual Nettle;  Dog Nettle;  Small Nettle)

 Both species of Nettle belong to the Nettle (Urticaceae) family.

Part Used

 Leaf

 Root

 Seeds

Cardiovascular System

 Nettle (tea) may alleviates Anemia. 

 Nettle (tea) may stimulate Blood Circulation. 

 Nettle (leaf or root) may lower Blood Pressure in High Blood Pressure patients.  ^[1]

Digestive System

 Nettle (tea) may alleviate Constipation (according to folklore). 

 Nettle may promote remission in Crohn's Disease patients.  ^[2]

 Nettle (tea) may facilitate the elimination of Intestinal Parasites (according to folklore). 

Excretory System

 Nettle (tea) may increase the production of Urine (i.e. it may function as a mild diuretic). 

Hair

 Nettle may be a good “tonic” for the Hair, especially where Skin eruptions are present on the Scalp. 

Immune System

 Nettle leaf (400 - 800 mg every four hours) may alleviate Allergies:  ^[3]

 Nettle leaf may helps to reverse itching eyes, itching ears and itching throat in Allergy sufferers.

 Nettle (tea) may alleviate some types of Cancer (according to folklore):

 Nettle (root) may help to prevent Cancer - Prostate and is an effective treatment for existing Prostate Cancer:  ^[4]

            Nettle may inhibit the transformation of the benign Cells involved in Enlarged Prostate to the malignant Cells involved in Prostate Cancer.

            Nettle may inhibit the binding of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to Prostate cells.

 Nettle may stimulate the activity of T-Lymphocytes.  ^[5]

 The Urtica dioica Agglutinin (a Lectin) content of Nettle may inhibit some types of Viruses including:  ^[6]

 Cytomegalovirus  ^[7]

 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (which is the cause of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS))  ^[8]

 Influenza Virus Type A  ^[9]

 Respiratory Syncytial Virus  ^[10]

Metabolism

 Nettle may lower elevated Blood Sugar levels.  ^[11]

Musculoskeletal System

 Nettle (leaf) may be useful for the treatment of Osteoarthritis (it may reduce levels of Interleukin 1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor, which are strongly implicated in the development and progression of Osteoarthritis when produced in excess).  ^[12]

 Nettle (leaf) may be useful for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (it may reduce levels of Interleukin 1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor, which are strongly implicated in the development and progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis when produced in excess).  ^[13]

Respiratory System

 Nettle (leaf) may alleviate Asthma (according to folklore).