Nettles - Weed or Wonderful?
Nettles-Urtica Dioica, is a stinging plant found growing worldwide, except for the Arctic, Antarctica, and Southern Africa.
The sting contains Histamine, which irritates the skin, Acetylcholine, the burning sensation, and Serotonin which makes the other two chemicals react. Urtica dioica was used by the early physicians Galen and Dioscorides as a laxative and diuretic. They were used to treat asthma and pleurisy. Uses of nettles can be found in the earliest Pharmacopoeias of Europe.
Nettles contain vitamin A, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin E. chlorophyll, potassium, calcium, manganese, acetylcholine, serotonin, sulfur, iron, selenium, magnesium, chromium, and zinc. Homeopathic medicine uses the Dwarf Nettle Urtica urens for minor burns, scalds, sunburn, insect bites, and hives.
Urtica dioica has been tested for its benefits in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH, a condition that affects mostly elderly men. This is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland and gradually narrows the urethra that drains the urine from the bladder, causing lower urinary tract symptoms.
Trials held at the University of Cologne in Germany, for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms LUTS, caused by BPH showed a higher success rate of 34% for those taking the roots of Urtica dioica for the patients who took an alpha-blocker medication.
Numerous trials have been held using Nettle and Saw Palmetto combination for lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Trials have also been used to test the effectiveness of nettle leaves in the treatment of arthritic and rheumatic conditions. These have been shown to be effective and clinical trials are needed to either validate their use.
A trial was conducted on 18 patients in Plymouth UK. These patients had used nettle for varied pain and limited function in the knees, shoulders, wrists, finger, back thumb, hips, or sciatica. 15 of the 18 patients found the nettles brought relief about 90% of the time. The pain relief was quick to act and one found that the psoriasis on her elbows had also improved. No serious side effects were found from nettle use other than the red rash normally caused by the nettle sting.
Side effects from nettles are rare, but they can cause stomach upsets. Nettles are not known to interact with any other medication. Some animal studies have documented nettles as lowering the heart rate. There are possible contraindications with patients who are taking heart medication. Generally, the use of nettles is safe, but as with any herbal, be careful.
