71 - Stinging Nettle/Nettles/Nettle (Urtica dioica, Urtica urens): Leaf, Root

Abstract

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica/urens) herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the Urticaceae family. Urere, the root of its Latin name means “to burn,” referring to the burning pain upon contact with the hairs on its leaves. This stinging property is lost when the plant is dried or extracted. Stinging nettle leaf may be beneficial for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, whereas stinging nettle root may be beneficial for menopause, benign prostatic hyperplasia, acute and chronic prostatitis, and estrogen-sensitive cancer prophylaxis. This chapter examines some of the scientific research conducted on stinging nettle, both alone and in combination formulas, for treating numerous health conditions. It summarizes results from several human studies of stinging nettle’s use in treating allergic, cardiovascular, cardiometabolic, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and oncologic disorders. Finally, the chapter presents a list of stinging nettle’s (roots and leaves) Active Constituents, different Commonly Used Preparations and Dosage, and a Section on “Safety and Precaution” that examines side effects, toxicity, and disease and drug interactions.