Stinging Nettle Powder – 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($6.99)
Benefits:
From ancient Greece to the present, nettle has been used for treating coughs, tuberculosis, and arthritis, and as a hair tonic. Stinging nettle leaf is an anti-inflammatory, especially for allergic reactions of the skin, as well as a diuretic. It has been used to relieve symptoms of hay fever and allergies such as runny nose and congestion. It is used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), and European folk medicine uses it to treat seborrhea of the scalp and overly greasy hair. The root was also specifically used in folk medicine for edema, rheumatism, gout, and prostatitis.
Taken as a health treatment, stinging nettle root takes the “sting,” or inflammation, out of allergic reactions, arthritis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). In a study on lupus using mice, stinging nettle seemed to protect the animals from symptoms such as kidney ailments. It also prevents conversion of androgens to estrogens, which may be of benefit to patients with BPH. The German Commission E has approved the use of stinging nettle flowering plant for rheumatism, kidney stones, and infections of the urinary tract. The stinging nettle root has been approved for difficulties in urination related to BPH.
Allergies (hay fever). In low doses, stinging nettle root extracts increase the production of T cells, immune cells that act as a controlling mechanism on other immune cells that cause allergic reactions. Stinging nettle root extracts increase the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), which increases the production of new T cells and sensitizes existing T cells to respond to IL-2. A clinical study with sixty-nine participants at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, found that stinging nettle was more effective than placebo in treating allergic rhinitis. Nettle leaf has become a popular treatment for allergies. This is probably due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Taken before a meal, nettle leaf has been used for people with certain food sensitivities, but check with your doctor first if you have known food allergies.
Arthritis. Stinging nettle contains extracts that ease arthritic pain. In clinical studies using a leaf extract for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, patients had less pain while resting and less pain during movement, and better symptom scores. The herb worked alone or in combination with NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Stinging nettle root extracts decrease the rate of cell division in the prostate gland. Compounds in stinging nettle bind to receptor sites on prostate cells that otherwise would receive growth hormones such as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). They also interfere with enzymes that are necessary for prostate cell growth. As the growth of prostate cells is slowed, there is less pressure on the urethra and an easier flow of urine. In one clinical study, more than 80 percent of men with BPH experienced improvement in symptoms of the lower urinary tract using stinging nettle. In another study, the root of the stinging nettle improved the International Prostate Symptom Score, which is used by doctors to assess disease impact and improvement in patients. The root is typically used in Germany for patients with BPH to reduce residual urine levels and prostate size. One preparation—a methanol root extract called Bazoton Uno—seemed to be particularly effective using 300 to 600 milligrams a day.
Diminished sex drive. Stinging nettle root keeps testosterone, which contributes to sexual desire in both men and women, in an active (or free) form. Alcohol-soluble components of stinging nettle root known as lignans interact with SHBG to keep it from binding testosterone and taking it out of circulation. For men, the advantage of stinging nettle root over many other treatments for diminished sex drive is that, while it maintains testosterone in a form that energizes the libido, it prevents benign prostate enlargement.
Hives and skin irritations. Stinging nettle leaf may help speed healing of rashes, but this has not been fully explored in human studies. It inhibits this kind of inflammation through its content of scopoletin, beta-sitosterol, and caffeoylmalic acid, which stop a series of chemical steps that leads to a reduction in inflammation and produces an analgesic effect. Caffeoylmalic acid is particularly important to block the arachidonic cascade that triggers inflammation.
Recommended Use
Stinging nettle leaf is available in capsule and juice forms. It can also be used as a tea. Stinging nettle leaf has a long history of use as a food and is regarded as safe. The daily dose of the leaf is 8 to 12 grams and of the root is 4 to 6 grams per day. Typically stinging nettle is used as an alcohol-based extract, and in this form the dose is lower. In rare cases, some people develop an allergic reaction, such as a rash, after taking stinging nettle leaf. If such a reaction occurs, use of the herb should be discontinued. Others have reported gastrointestinal upset, gingival effects, and increased urination.
Stinging nettle products made from either the leaf or the root of the plant should not be used by people with fluid retention due to congestive heart failure or kidney disease. Men should not use stinging nettle to treat urinary problems without medical examination. Similar symptoms can be caused by a more serious condition, such as prostate cancer, that requires medical treatment. Because stinging nettle leaf reduces the body’s production of an immune chemical known as interleukin-6 (IL-6), it should be avoided by people who have or who think they may be coming down with the flu. The root and leaf of the stinging nettle should not be used during pregnancy.
There are concerns that nettle may interact with prescription medications used for diabetes, high blood pressure, and inflammation, as well as sedative medications. Stinging nettle interacts with diclofenac (Voltaren, for arthritis), diuretics, and drugs that work through p450 enzymes. Speak to your doctor if you are taking any of these medications before using stinging nettle. There have not been any reports of actual problems occurring, but if you are taking such medications, you should use nettle with caution. In addition, you should not use uncooked stinging nettles. They may cause kidney damage and other symptoms of poisoning. Stinging nettle is a diuretic and may remove potassium from the body. If nettle is used regularly, you should eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas and fresh vegetables, or take a potassium supplement daily.
Botanical Name: Urtica dioica
English: Stinging Nettle
Also, known as: Common Nettle, Csalángyökér, Great Nettle, Anjuraa, Gazaneh, Grande Ortie, Greater Nettle, Grosse Brennessel, Haarnesselwurzel, Nettle Root, Ortica, Ortie, Ortiga, Brennesselwurzel, Pokrzywa, Qurrays, Racine D’ortie, Raiz De Ortiga, Stinging Nettle, Trukmida, Zwyczajna, Grosse Brandnetel, Grande Ortica, Hanfnesselwurzel, Hhurrayq, Nesselwurzel, Great Stinging Nettle, and Shisuun
Habitat: Africa and Western Asia
Origin: Ukraine
Harvested: Wild or cultivated
Parts Used: Root
General Information:
Urtica dioica is an herbaceous perennial with erect green to purplish square stems, which arises as an upright plant to 24 inches high, with creeping stems. The dull green stem is normally covered with stinging hairs which pierce the skin and let out an acrid fluid when stirred, causing pain. The whole plant covered with stinging hairs. Perhaps you’ve already become acquainted with nettle while out hiking Absent-mindedly brushing your skin against this plant will rapidly get your consciousness back to the present instant! The leaves and stems are covered in tiny spikes that, when brushed against, release formic acid, which causes a mild but annoying skin reaction. It’s no surprise that this flora also usually mentioned to as “stinging nettle” Nine of thirty species of Urtica, an herbaceous plant or shrub of the Urticaceae family, are found in temperate regions of the United States and Canada waste places, beside hedges and gardens.
The soft, serrated leaves are opposite each other in pairs on the stem, cordate at the base, oblong or ovate, finely toothed: upper surface dark green and underside paler: The leaves and the rest of the plant are coated in stinging and non-stinging hairs. The small, dioecious, greenish-white flowers, each with four petals, are densely clustered on elongated inflorescences towards the top of the stem. The plant has either male or female flowers in separate inflorescences and occurs as racemes in axils of upper leaves. Male or barren flowers have a perianth of four segments and four stamens, which are bent inwards at bud stage. Female or fertile flowers have similar perianth surrounding a single one-seeded carpel, bearing one style with a brush-like stigma Rhizome, outer surface yellowish-brown, inner surface creamy white with a central hollow, fracture fibrous and tough. The root of this perennial is creeping and branching, greyish brown, regularly toasted, about 5 min thick distinct longitudinal furrows, hollow in cross section, cut surface white fracture fibrous and tough. The plant spreads by underground roots which are noticeably yellow. The fibers that can be harvested from nettle stalks have been a historically important source for ropes, nets, and clothing.
How to use:
Powdered Herb
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered herbs to any super food, herbal smoothies, sauces, spreads and even cookies. For children, you can max powdered herbs with honey or glycerin to make a paste. The thicker the paste the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycans will help the medicine go down. This method is also known as Electuaries.
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