Nettle

eczema inflammation rheumatoid arthritis allergies arthritis blood sugar joint pain diabetes hay fever skin nutritive prostate BPH diuretic spring tonic anemia herb osteoarthritis tonic nettle stinging nettle Urtica dioica allergic rhinitis benign prostatic hyperplasia iron kidney urinary hair scalp antihistamine

Published on December 20, 2025 by Guy

Nettle is a highly nutritious perennial herb native to Eurasia, northern Africa, and North America, recognized by its stinging hairs that inject inflammatory compounds on contact. Different parts of the plant serve distinct medicinal purposes: the leaves are prized as a nutrient-dense tonic rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins; the root is used primarily for prostate health; and the seeds support kidney function. People use nettle for seasonal allergies, arthritis, anemia, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and as a general restorative tonic.

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Nettle
- Stinging Nettle
- Common Nettle
- Nettles

Latin Name: Urtica dioica

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

  • Spring tonic and blood cleanser - European and Native American traditions dating back centuries
  • Nutritive food source - cooked greens consumed throughout Europe and the Americas
  • Urtication (stinging skin with fresh nettle) for joint pain relief - European folk medicine
  • Hair tonic and rinse for hair loss - Traditional European use
  • Support during pregnancy and lactation for iron and mineral needs - Traditional midwifery practice

Modern Uses

  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Root extracts improve urinary symptoms including nocturia, urinary frequency, and flow rate | Research quality: Strong
  • Key findings: Multiple double-blind clinical trials show nettle root combined with saw palmetto is as effective as finasteride with fewer side effects; studies of 431 and 543 patients showed equivalent activity to pharmaceutical treatment; German observational trial of 4,051 patients demonstrated improved symptoms

  • Source citations: Kerry Bone - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs; Sarah Brewer - Encyclopedia of Vitamins

  • Allergic Rhinitis/Seasonal Allergies - Freeze-dried leaf preparation reduces allergy symptoms | Research quality: Moderate

  • Key findings: Double-blind placebo-controlled study of 98 patients showed freeze-dried nettle rated higher than placebo; 58% of hay fever sufferers reported moderate to high effectiveness

  • Source citations: WRCHM - Western Materia Medica I; Juliet Blankespoor - The Healing Garden

  • Arthritis and Joint Pain - Leaf reduces inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis | Research quality: Moderate

  • Key findings: Multicenter study of 219 patients showed nettle leaf comparable to NSAIDs for pain reduction; 50g stewed nettle daily combined with 50mg diclofenac was as effective as 200mg diclofenac alone; 82% of nearly 9,000 patients in surveillance study reported symptom relief

  • Source citations: Kerry Bone - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs; WRCHM - Western Materia Medica I

  • Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Nutritive Support - High iron and mineral content supports blood building | Research quality: Moderate

  • Key findings: Nettle contains approximately 2,900mg calcium per 100g dried leaf; high in easily absorbed iron, magnesium, potassium, and silica; traditionally used during pregnancy to improve iron levels

  • Source citations: Rosalee de la Forêt - Alchemy of Herbs; Robin Rose Bennett - The Gift of Healing Herbs

  • Blood Sugar Regulation - Leaf extract shows hypoglycemic effects | Research quality: Moderate

  • Key findings: Clinical trials showed significant improvements in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and inflammation markers in patients with type 2 diabetes
  • Source citations: Rosalee de la Forêt - Alchemy of Herbs; Thomas Bartram - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Chlorophyll - High concentration; supports blood building with molecular structure similar to hemoglobin
- Minerals - Iron, calcium, silica, potassium, magnesium; provides nutritive and bone-supporting benefits
- Vitamins - Vitamins A, C, K, and B-complex; contributes to overall nutritive value
- Flavonoids - Quercetin, rutin, kaempferol; provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
- Lignans (root) - Inhibit binding of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG); support prostate health
- Beta-sitosterol (root) - Plant sterol that supports urinary function in BPH
- Histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine (stinging hairs) - Cause the characteristic sting; may contribute to anti-inflammatory effects when consumed

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Dried leaf tea/infusion
- Amount: 2-4g dried leaf per cup, or 1oz (28g) per quart for nourishing infusion
- Frequency: 1-3 cups daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Liquid extract (leaf) 1:2
- Amount: 2-6ml per day
- Purpose: General tonic, allergies, arthritis support
- Duration: Safe for long-term use

  • Form: Liquid extract (root) 1:2
  • Amount: 4.5-8.5ml per day
  • Purpose: BPH and prostate support

  • Duration: Use under professional supervision for BPH

  • Form: Freeze-dried capsules (leaf)

  • Amount: 600mg at onset of allergy symptoms
  • Purpose: Acute allergic rhinitis relief

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: Leaf 8-12g dried herb; root 4-6g dried herb
- Warning threshold: Avoid excessive doses which may cause temporary kidney irritation

Bioavailability Notes:
- Decoction extracts more minerals than infusion; 30 minutes simmering yields approximately 5mg soluble silicon per gram of nettle
- Alcohol extracts (tinctures) capture lignans and other compounds not fully extracted by water
- Combined decocted tincture (water + alcohol extraction) provides broadest compound profile

How to Take It

Timing:
- Tea or infusion can be taken any time of day
- For allergies, begin 1-3 months before allergy season starts
- Root extract for prostate can be taken morning and evening
- Take with food if gastrointestinal sensitivity occurs

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Saw Palmetto - Combined with nettle root for BPH; clinical trials show equivalent effectiveness to finasteride with fewer side effects
2. Pygeum - Combined with nettle root for prostate support; studies show significant improvement in urinary symptoms
3. Red Raspberry Leaf - Combined during pregnancy for iron and mineral support; traditional pregnancy tonic combination
4. Vitamin C - Enhances iron absorption from nettle; take together for anemia support
5. Marshmallow or Linden - Demulcent herbs that offset nettle's drying/astringent effects for those who run dry

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Other strong diuretics - May compound fluid loss | Potential consequence: Excessive dehydration or electrolyte imbalance

Drug Interactions:
1. Diclofenac (Voltaren) - Nettle may potentiate effects | Potential consequence: Enhanced drug action | Severity level: Moderate
2. Diuretic medications - Additive diuretic effect | Potential consequence: Excessive fluid/electrolyte loss | Severity level: Moderate
3. Antihypertensive medications - May enhance blood pressure lowering | Potential consequence: Hypotension | Severity level: Moderate
4. Diabetes medications - Hypoglycemic effect may add to drug effects | Potential consequence: Low blood sugar | Severity level: Moderate
5. Sedative medications - Possible interaction via P450 enzymes | Potential consequence: Altered drug metabolism | Severity level: Mild

Food Interactions:
- Fresh, uncooked nettle leaves cause painful stinging rash
- Cooking, drying, or blending neutralizes stinging hairs

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Edema from impaired cardiac or renal function (diuretic action contraindicated)
- Allergy to nettle (rare but documented)
- Men should not self-treat urinary symptoms without medical evaluation to rule out prostate malignancy

Side Effects:
- Occasional mild gastrointestinal upset (more common with root)
- Rare allergic reactions including rash or gingivostomatitis
- Contact with fresh plant causes characteristic urticarial sting and welts (resolves within 24 hours)
- May be drying to skin and mucous membranes with prolonged use

Long-Term Use:
- Leaf considered safe for long-term use as food and medicine
- Root has been used safely for up to 6 months in clinical trials
- Commission E advises professional supervision for BPH treatment
- Consider cycling or combining with demulcent herbs if dryness develops

Special Precautions:
- Pregnancy: Leaf traditionally used and considered safe for nutritive support; root should be avoided
- Lactation: Traditional galactagogue; considered safe
- Surgery: Discontinue 2 weeks prior due to potential effects on blood pressure and blood sugar

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Seasonal allergies, BPH/prostate health (root), nutritive tonic, iron-deficiency anemia, arthritis and joint inflammation

Secondary: Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, acne), urinary tract support, blood sugar regulation, kidney support (seed), heavy menstrual bleeding, hair and scalp health

Sources

Local Library:
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs
- WRCHM - Western Materia Medica I
- de la Forêt, Rosalee - Alchemy of Herbs
- Blankespoor, Juliet - The Healing Garden
- Bennett, Robin Rose - The Gift of Healing Herbs
- Bartram, Thomas - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Brewer, Sarah - Encyclopedia of Vitamins
- Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing
- McIntyre, Anne - The Complete Herbal Tutor
- Bruton-Seal, Julie - The Big Book of Backyard Medicine
- Mars, Brigitte - The Country Almanac of Home Remedies
- Gladstar, Rosemary - Herbs for the Home Medicine Chest
- Pursell, J.J. - The Herbal Apothecary

General Knowledge:
- Commission E Monographs
- ESCOP Monographs
- British Herbal Pharmacopoeia