Nettle.Stinging nettle,Nettle leaf,Nettle root,Common Stinging Nettle?Therapeutics and Pharmacology,Historical or traditional use of Nettle.

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Biological Activities and Clinical Research.

Nettle Extract INCI Name Urtica Dioica Extract EINECS ELINCS No 281-685-5 CAS 84012-40-8 Urticae radix Extracts Nettle Root Extract photo picture image Nettle's long-standing use as an anti-inflammatory aid for rheumatism and arthritis has been confirmed with clinical research. In several clinical studies (including a randomized double-blind placebo trial) nettle leaf extracts were documented with anti-inflammatory actions as well as to be beneficial (and better than placebo) at relieving arthritis pain and inflammation in humans. Research suggests that nettle's anti-inflammatory actions are attributed to its ability to interrupt the production and actions of inflammation-producing immune cells in the body (cytokines, prostaglandins and leukotreines). Another randomized double-blind study was performed on nettle in 1990 which confirmed its traditional uses for allergies and rhinitis (a common inflammatory disorder causing sneezing, nasal congestion and discharge and itchy skin and often triggered by allergies). In this study with 69 patients, nettle extract again rated higher than placebo: 58% reported it relieved most all their symptoms and 48% stated it was more effective than other over-the-counter medications. It was still being confirmed as a beneficial treatment for rhinitis 10 years later when researchers then suggested the same sort of inflammatory immune cell suppression was responsible for the documented effects.

 Other recent animal studies with rats (in 2000 and 2002) reported that water extracts of nettle lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and had notable diuretic actions. One of the studies reported that a nettle root extract performed better than the control drug they used (furosemide) at reducing blood pressure, increasing urine output, and increasing sodium excretion. Earlier studies reported nettle had no effect on blood pressure in rats but demonstrated a notable hypotensive effect in cats. It was also shown to have an pain-relieving effect in mice, a sedative effect in rats and mice, as well as to inhibit drug-induced convulsions and lower the body temperature of rats.

 The last area of research on nettle focuses on its usefulness for prostate inflammation (prostatitis) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). In more than 20 clinical studies thus far, nettle root (and nettle combined with other herbs) has demonstrated an improvement of clinical symptoms in BPH and prostatitis. (Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues usually caused by a bacteria. BPH is an age-related non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland due to increased numbers of cells triggered to grow in the prostate.) While nettle's benefit for prostatitis is most probably related to its documented anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in the arthritis and rhinitis research, it's effect on BPH is quite different - it works on a hormonal level.

 BPH, the most common disease of the prostate that generally affects men starting from the age of 40, actually occurs on a hormonal level. Androgens like testosterone as well as estrogens (such as estradiol and estrone) have been shown to cause BPH in animal studies. While testosterone plays a role in BPH, it is rather the conversion of testosterone to the extremely potent dihydrotestosterone that is the problem (and this conversion naturally increases as men age for some unexplained reason). In excess, dihydrotestosterone causes pathological prostate growth. Estrogens, which also increases as men age, influences prostate tissue by stimulating prostate-cell growth. These main hormones travel around the body in a free state, as well as bound to proteins. One such protein is called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG); its role is to maintain a dynamic hormonal balance in the body. SHBG binds or attaches to hormones and carries them to different receptor sites on cell membranes throughout the body where they can be utilized in different ways. The effect it has depends on which hormone it binds to and which receptor site it is carried to. For instance, in men, estrogen and dihydrotestosterone bound to SHBG, are usually carried to the receptor sites on the prostate gland and once there in excessive amounts, it can stimulate prostate tissue cells to divide and grow rapidly - resulting in BPH.

 Some of the more recent research on BPH and nettles indicates that nettle can interfere with or block a number these hormone-related chemical processes in the body that are implicated in the development of BPH. In clinical research, nettle has demonstrated the ability to stop the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (by inhibiting an enzyme required for the conversion), as well as to directly bind to SHBG itself - thereby preventing SHBG from binding to other hormones. Other research also reveals that nettles can prevent SHBG that has already bound to a hormone from attaching to the receptor sites on the prostate, as well as to decrease the production of estrogens (estradiol and estrone) by inhibiting an enzyme required for their production.

 It all sounds a bit complicated, but basically, most all of the complex intercellular processes required to trigger the prostate to grow new cells and enlarge seems to be inhibited by nettle. This is great news for men suffering from BPH (and there are millions)! Human and animal studies have confirmed these effects and benefits. In one study, a nettle root extract was shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cells by 30% in five days; another reported it inhibited BPH in mice by 51.4% (which suggested it could be used as a preventative as well as a treatment). In a study with 134 men with BPH, 300 mg of nettle root (with 25 mg of another plant called Pygeum) reduced retained urine (blocked by enlarged prostates) and reduced frequent urination at night (a bothersome symptom of BPH) in 28 days. A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted with 543 BPH patients who were given a combination of saw palmetto and nettle root or a drug called finasteride. The average urine flow increased in both groups, while urinary urgency and frequency decreased in both groups. Other BPH symptoms also decreased in both groups, and, as usual; fewer side effects were reported by those taking the herbal combination than those taking the drug.

 It also should be noted that these same androgen hormones have profound effects on scalp and body hair in both males and females. Hair loss in both men and women has been linked to excessive dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels. While no clinical studies have been conducted yet on the use of nettle in treating DHT-related hair loss and male pattern balding, research does indicate that nettle root can prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Interestingly, a U.S. patent has recently been filed on an herbal combination containing nettle root for the treatment of male pattern baldness. More research is sure to follow as this is a highly popular and profitable area of research.

 Current Practical Uses.:

 Over the last several years, more consumers and practitioners have been learning of nettle's many uses for prostate problems, arthritis and inflammation in general, allergies and hair loss and it follows that more nettle products are showing up on the shelves in stores. Nettle root, nettle leaf and whole herb (leaf, stem and root) products in tablets, capsules, and tinctures are now widely available at most health food stores at very reasonable prices. Consumers just need to remember that the root is much better for BPH and hair loss, while the leaf is better for inflammation (including prostatitis), allergies, and as a natural diuretic for people with hypertension.

 Unfortunately, consumers (and even natural product manufacturers) overlook these important distinctions between the root and leaf when searching for natural remedies and products. Nettle is now an ingredient in many herbal formulas for prostate health which are sold in the U.S. market. Pay close attention to the ingredients stated on the labels however; the root is needed for BPH, and the leaves will provide much better results for prostatitis. As a general preventative to prostate problems, for maintaining healthy prostate functions as well as male hormonal levels; clinical research suggests the root will work better than the leaf as well.

 Worldwide Ethnomedical Uses:

 Belize:childbirth, diarrhea, dysentery, prostate problems, rashes, skin problems, sores

 Brazil:for asthma, bronchitis, cough, bleeding, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, liver support, lung problems, menstrual disorders, pneumonia, skin disorders, ulcers, urinary problems, and to increase perspiration
 Cuba:for bruises, burns, flu, hemorrhoids, urinary insufficiency, wounds
 Dominican Republic:for dysentery, fertility (veterinary), lung problems, and to increase perspiration
 Germany:for arthritis, inflammation, prostate diseases, rheumatism, urinary insufficiency, urinary tract disorders
 Greece:for asthma, inflammation, laxative, pleurisy, spleen disorders, urinary insufficiency
 Guatemala:for bruises, dermatitis, erysipelas, fever, gonorrhea, kidney disease, skin disease, skin irritation/eruptions, sores, ulcers, wounds, and to increase perspiration
 Haiti:for blood purification, coughs, diarrhea, digestive problems, fever, flu, fractures, scurvy, skin problems, wounds
 India:for eczema, nosebleeds, skin eruptions, uterine hemorrhages

 Mexico:for asthma, chest problems, childbirth, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, elephantiasis, fever, gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhages, kidney problems, leprosy, malaria, rashes, skin problems, syphilis, uterine disorders, wounds

 Peru:for arthritis, asthma, bleeding, diabetes, diuretic, dysentery, expectorant, hair, head lice, hemorrhoids, inflammation, intestinal inflammation, kidney stones, liver disease, muscle pain, nasal ulcers, pain, respiratory problems, rheumatism, sciatica, swelling, urinary insufficiency, wounds, and to increase perspiration
 U.S.:for allergies, arthritis, BPH, bleeding, hair loss, hypertension, inflammation, prostatitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, urinary insufficiency, wounds
 Venezuela:for syphilis, and wounds, and to lower body temperature, and increase perspiration

 Elsewhere:for aches, allergic rhinitis, asthma, bacterial infections, baldness, bleeding, bronchitis, bruises, burns, cancer, catarrh, chest problems, childbirth, cholecystitis, constipation, cough, dandruff, diarrhea, dyspnea, edema, elephantiasis, epilepsy, fever, gout, hair loss, hemorrhages, hypertension, insanity, iron-deficiency anemia, kidney stones, leprosy, liver diseases, lung problems, menstrual disorders, neuralgia, obesity, osteoarthritis, pain, paralysis, prostate disorders, rheumatism, skin diseases, sprains, stomach problems, swelling, tumors, uterine disorders, urinary insufficiency, urinary problems, worms, wounds, and to promote perspiration

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citations1.Nettle.Stinging nettle,Nettle leaf,Nettle root,Common Stinging Nettle?Therapeutics and Pharmacology,Historical or traditional use of Nettle.

last edit date:22th,May.2009.