Stinging Nettle

Research on Stinging Nettles

Stinging nettle Urtica Dioica gets its name from the stinging hairs that cover the leaves and stem of the plant. The nettle plant has many active phytochemicals undergoing research including polysaccharides and lectin, which have been found helpful for prostate disease. Aromatase is an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. As men age testosterone levels decrease and aromatase levels increase causing ever increasing levels of estrogen and prostate enlargement. One of the phytochemicals in nettles called 9-hydroxy-10-trans-12-cis-octadecadienic acid (HOA) inhibits the aromatase in the prostate helping to decrease prostatic levels of estrogen.

Another small study on Stinging Nettles (Urtica Dioicasa) showed some relief of allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever). The study used 600 mg of freeze dried nettles and slightly over half noticed some relief of their symptoms.

Usual dosage of nettles is 600 mg for freeze dried and 460 for dried extract. Nettles can also be enjoyed as a tea using 2-3 tsp nettles to a pint of boiling water for 15 minutes. Steamed fresh nettles can also be eaten or enjoyed in a soup.