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