September 11, 1999 NETTLES Urtica dioica - Family Urticaceae Synonyms Stinging Nettles, Urtica, Urticae herba, Scaddie

Description

This perennial herbs grow .3 - 1.5 m tall, with a four angled stems; leaves and stems have stinging hairs; leaves are opposite, oval; flowers are in axillary panicles, green. Male and female nettles grow as separate plants. They grow June to Sept, found in waste places.

Part Used

Herb, leaves and root.

Constituents

Nettles leaves contain: flavonoids (quercitin, isoquerctrin, rutin, kaempferol; amines (histamine, serotonin (5-HTP), acetylcholine; lecithin; carotenoids, vitamin C, triterpenes, beta-sitosterol, formic and citric acids; minerals (high amounts of calcium, potassium and silicic acids).(1,2)

The roots contain: polysaccharides, lecithin, many phenolic compounds (phenolic acid, phenylpropanoid aldehydes and alcohols; sterols (glycosylated sitosterol, hydroxysitosterols and their glucosides.(3)

Mode of Action

The leaves, especially freeze-dried, have been mildly beneficial in studies and clinical experience for allergic sinus problems. As a diuretic both the herb and juice have been shown to be effective. Mild anti-arthritic and rheumatic action can be observed. Antibacterial, CNS depressant and antispasmodic action have been reported.(4-7)

An extract of the roots has been shown to reduce suffering associated with enlarged prostate in both human and dog models. It is considered to relieve symptoms more than the enlargement itself. (8-10)

Therapeutic action

Diuretic, haemostatic, antispasmotic, antiallergenic

Energetics

Holmes considers the leaves astringent, a bit sweet and salty, cool and dry. It is nourishing, restoring, astringing, stabilizing, stimulating and dissolving. It influences the blood, fluid lungs, intestine, spleen, liver, kidney, bladder, uterus and connective tissue. It enters the Liver, Spleen, Bladder, Chong, and Ren meridians.(11)

Folklore

Used as a food in Europe, Persia, Himalayas, and by North American indigenous people. The stems were woven into cordage, sailcloth and fishing lines. It is said that it can be woven as fine as silk. Culpeper used the boiled or juice of roots or leaves to relieve wheezing, shortness of breath and inflammation of the throat. We also find it used to promote menses, kill worms, stimulate urination, shrink nasal polyps, heal infected sores. Eclectic used it for diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bleeding, nephritis, eczema, chronic colon disease and urinary gravel. Nettle bundles were often hung in doorways to dissuade flies.(12)

Dosage

Dried herbs - 3 - 6 g
Liquid extract (1:1 25% ol) - 2-4 ml
Tincture (1:5, 25% ol) - 2-6 ml
Fresh juice - 5-10 ml

Toxicity and Contraindications

None known

Official Recognition and Medical References

UK - P. 234,5, Section B ``Regarded as Safe.
Germany - (Komm E.)Sec. 14B
PDR HM - p. 234

References

1. Bradley, P.R. (Ed.), British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1, British Herbal Medicine Association, Bournemouth, UK, 1992
2. Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients: Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1996, p. 384.
3. Bruneton, J., Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants, Intercept Ltd., Andover, Hampshire, UK, 1995, p. 603-05.
4. Leung, Ibid.
5. Bradley Ibid.
6. PDR for Herbal Medicines (First Edition), Medical Economics Company, Montvale, NJ, 1998, p. 1197.
7. ESCOP Monographs on the Medincinal Uses of Plant Medicne July 1997.
8. Bruneton Ibid.
9. PDR Ibid.
10. ESCOP Monographs on the Medincinal Uses of Plant Medicine, March 1996
11. Holmes, P., The Energetics of Western Herbs (2 vols.), Artemis Press, Boulder, CO, 1989, p.439-441
12. Yarnell, E; Stinging Nettle: A Modern View of an Ancient Healing Plant; Alternative and Complementary Therapies; June 1998, p. 180-86