Nettle
Nettle is one of the most nutritive and useful herbs I keep in my apothecary. I include it in almost every formula and abundantly use it in cooking as well. Let’s dig deeper into harvesting, using, growing and everything else related to nettle here.
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Nettle Root Harvesting – In the Wild and on the Farm
Michael Pilarski, Friends of the Trees Society, December 25, 2016
This study looked at the mineral content of nettle based on time of harvest and found some pretty fascinating insights.
“The highest concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc were in the nettle
leaves harvested in April, while the highest concentration of calcium, magnesium, and
boron were in the nettles harvested in September, at the end of vegetation (Table 2). Copper
and manganese concentrations increased from springtime to the middle of the vegetation
period and reached the highest concentrations of copper in June and of manganese in July.
Concentrations of other mineral elements fluctuated during the vegetation period”
“Stinging nettle has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-infectious, hypotensive, and antiulcer characteristics, as well as the ability to prevent cardiovascular disease, in all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, and seeds).”
“The chemical compounds in stinging nettle have a variety of health benefits for women. Because of its astringent characteristics, it can relieve unpleasant premenstrual symptoms including cramping and bloating, as well as reduce blood flow during menstruation. Stinging nettle can ease the transition and act as a restorative for women going through menopause, lowering the intensity of the hormonal shift in the body. Acting as a coagulant, stinging nettle can help prevent excessive bleeding. It will also help increase milk production and make breastfeeding more comfortable.”
“On-farm data have clearly revealed that nettle supplementation has the ability to boost productive performance in dairy cattle, not just by enhancing milk quantity and quality”
“Nettle is used to cure haematuria, rheumatism, neck sores, infertility, bone fractures, wounds, sprains, breastfeeding, belly ache, and internal injuries in animals in India”
“Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, Irakusa leaves are effective not only for acute inflammatory diseases but also for chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. An aqueous extract of nettle root also has anti-inflammatory properties.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a wild herbaceous perennial blooming plant that is commonly known as stinging nettle. It’s a common, multi-purpose crop that’s sometimes overlooked. Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America are ...
“Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica and Urtica urens) preparations have been used in nursing mothers orally as a postpartum as a “tonic” for treating anemia.[1,2] It is also a purported galactogogue.”
Stinging Nettle – PubMed (nih.gov)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica and Urtica urens) preparations have been used in nursing mothers orally as a postpartum as a "tonic" for treating anemia.[1,2] It is also a purported galactogogue.[2-7] Hypothetically, a galactogogue effect might be due to the binding … Continue reading
“In this study, we investigated the in vivo anti-asthmatic and antioxidant activities of nettle extract.”
“Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease, characterized by an influx and activation of inflammatory cells.”
“UD extract significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited eosinophilia increases in BALF (−60%) and the levels of leucocytes (−32.75%) and lymphocytes (−29.22%) in serum, and effectively suppressed inflammatory cells recruitment in the asthmatic rat model. Besides, the lipid peroxidation generated by allergen administration was significantly (p < 0.05) diminished by UD treatment in lung tissue (−48.58%).”
“The results confirmed that UD administration might be responsible for the protective effects of this extract against airway inflammation.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Context: To find bioactive medicinal herbs exerting anti-asthmatic activity, we investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) leaves (UD), the closest extract to the Algerian traditional use.Objective: In this study, we ...
A review of the effects of Urtica dioica (nettle) in metabolic syndrome
A review of the effects of Urtica dioica (nettle) in metabolic syndrome – PMC (nih.gov)
“According to various studies, U. dioica is a plant with so many therapeutic potential effects in different disorders such as prostatic hyperplasia (23), arthritis rheumatoid (24), allergies (25), anemia (26), internal bleeding (27), kidney stones (28), and burns (29). Furthermore, it has anti-proliferative (30) and antimicrobial activity and has been proven to cure infectious diseases (31).”
“Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) from the Urticaceae family, grows in the wild form in North Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia (15). Its derivatives including crude dried powder, infusion (herbal tea), dry extract, decoction, or fresh juice are considered unquestionably important in phytotherapy (16). Nettle contains various biochemicals such as formic acid, histamine, and acetylcholine (17) and valuable compounds like flavonoids, tannins, phytosterols, saponins, proteins, and amino acids (18). Flavonoids present in nettle include flavonols, flavanones, and flavonoid glycosides. The water and alcoholic extracts of aerial parts of nettle contain vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, nicotinic acid, and ascorbic acid (19). Studies on the whole nettle herb have resulted in the isolation of several compounds: quercetin, trans-ferulic acid, beta-sitosterol, erucic acid, dotriacotane, ursolic acid, scopoletin, rutin, and p-hydroxylbenzalcohol (20). GC–MS analysis of nettle’s essential oil identified 43 compounds and revealed that the main components are carvacrol (38.2%), carvone (9.0%), naphthalene (8.9%), (E)-anethol (4.7%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (3.0%), (E)-geranyl acetone (2.9%), (E)-β-ionone (2.8%), and phytol (2.7%)”
“Nettle’s consumption could have an effective role in type 2 diabetes by several mechanisms such as increasing glucose uptake by skeletal muscles and adipose tissues (33) and its anti-inflammatory activities (34)”
“The second risk factor for metabolic syndrome is increasing lipid profile levels. Cardiac morbidity and mortality are directly related to hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia which are important coronary risk factors. It has been shown that U. dioica can be useful in this matter by decreasing lipid peroxidation and liver enzyme activity (36). The last but not less important risk factor for metabolic syndrome is hypertension which affects one billion people across the world and takes nine million lives every year. Medicinal plants such as U. dioica have been proven beneficial to the cardiovascular system and could be used in hypertension therapy (37, 38). Thus evidently, nettle has a potential role in decreasing the three major risk factors for metabolic syndrome which are hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A review of the effects of Urtica dioica (nettle) in metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition, yet a common worldwide disorder. It includes several risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and high glucose levels which lead the patients to higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, ...
The Unexplored Wound Healing Activity of Urtica dioica L. Extract: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
“In this study, the effect of an Urtica dioica L. extract (containing fewer antioxidant compounds compared to methanolic or hydroalcoholic extracts) on cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and migration were examined. Additionally, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were examined. Finally, in vivo experiments were carried out on full-thickness wounds on Wistar rats. […] Moreover, the extract was found to have anti-inflammatory properties and moderate antioxidant properties that augment its overall wound healing potential. Results from the in vivo experiments showed that wounds treated with an ointment of the extract healed in 9 days, while wounds not treated with the extract healed in 13 days. Histopathological examination of the wound tissue revealed, among other findings, that inflammation was significantly reduced compared to the control. Urtica dioica L. extract application results in faster wound healing, making the extract ideal for wound healing applications and a novel drug candidate for wound healing.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The Unexplored Wound Healing Activity of Urtica dioica L. Extract: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Wound healing is a great challenge in many health conditions, especially in non-healing conditions. The search for new wound healing agents continues unabated, as the use of growth factors is accompanied by several limitations. Medicinal plants have been ...
(In regards to detoxing/cleaning the blood/liver)
Can Urtica dioica supplementation attenuate mercury intoxication in Wistar rats?
Can Urtica dioica supplementation attenuate mercury intoxication in Wistar rats? – PubMed (nih.gov)
“Nettle leaves have not only played a clear protective role during Hg intoxication, but it also enhanced hepatic, renal and testicular GSH level of Wistar rats.”
“A total of 28 rats were equally divided into four groups: the control, the Hg (0.8 g HgCl2/kg in the diet), the UD (1.5 ml UD/rat by gavage), and the Hg+UD group. HgCl2 was daily dissolved in distilled water and immediately mixed with the standard diet. A solution of daily infused fresh nettle leaves in boiling water (16 g in 25 ml) was obtained and then it was administrated by gavage. Biochemical and reproductive markers, in addition to glutathione (GSH) level (liver, kidney and testis) and the histological profiles (testis and epididymis) were evaluated after 1 month exposure.”
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Can Urtica dioica supplementation attenuate mercury intoxication in Wistar rats? - PubMed
Nettle leaves have not only played a clear protective role during Hg intoxication, but it also enhanced hepatic, renal and testicular GSH level of Wistar rats.
Protective effect of Urtica dioica on liver damage induced by biliary obstruction in rats
“The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of Urtica dioica (UD) against liver damage in the common bile duct-ligated rats. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups, namely, control, bile duct ligation (BDL) and BDL + received UD groups, containing eight animals in each group. The rats in UD-treated groups were given UD oils (2 ml/kg) once a day intraperitoneally for 2 weeks starting 3 days prior to BDL operation. The change demonstrating the bile duct proliferation and fibrosis in expanded portal tracts includes the extension of proliferated bile ducts into the lobules; inflammatory cell infiltration into the widened portal areas were observed in BDL group. Treatment of BDL with UD attenuated alterations in liver histology. The α-smooth muscle actin, cytokeratin-positive ductular proliferation and the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling in the BDL were observed to be reduced with the UD treatment. The data indicate that UD attenuates BDL-induced cholestatic liver injury, bile duct proliferation and fibrosis.”
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Protective effect of Urtica dioica on liver damage induced by biliary obstruction in rats - PubMed
The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of Urtica dioica (UD) against liver damage in the common bile duct-ligated rats. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups, namely, control, … Continue reading
Exploring the Urtica dioica Leaves Hemostatic and Wound-Healing Potential
Exploring the Urtica dioica Leaves Hemostatic and Wound-Healing Potential – PubMed (nih.gov)
“The present paper investigated the efficiency of Urtica dioica (U. dioica) on hemostatic and wound healing activities. U. dioica leaf extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial and antioxidant effects as well as their flavonoid and polyphenol content. The hydroethanolic extract (EtOH-H2OE), showing the most potent antibacterial and antioxidant activities in vitro, thanks to its flavonoid and polyphenol richness, was selected for hemostatic and wound healing evaluation.”
“Rats treated with EtOH-H2OE showed fast wound closure (92.39%) compared to the control animals (60.91%) on the 11th day of wounding (P < 0.01). Histopathological and biochemical explorations showed full epidermal regeneration and an improvement of the hydroxyproline content in the U. dioica EtOH-H2OE treated rats. […] These results prove the efficiency of U. dioica EtOH-H2OE in wound healing and supported its traditional use.”
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Exploring the Urtica dioica Leaves Hemostatic and Wound-Healing Potential - PubMed
The present paper investigated the efficiency of Urtica dioica (U. dioica) on hemostatic and wound healing activities. U. dioica leaf extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial and antioxidant effects as well as their flavonoid and polyphenol content. The hydroethanolic extract … Continue reading
The healing effect of nettle extract on second degree burn wounds – PubMed (nih.gov)
The healing effect of nettle extract on second degree burn wounds
“Numerous studies were carried out to develop more sophisticated dressings to expedite healing processes and diminish the bacterial burden in burn wounds. This study assessed the healing effect of nettle extract on second degree burns wound in rats in comparison with silver sulfadiazine and vaseline.”
“Our findings showed maximal rate of healing in the nettle group. So it may be a suitable substitute for silver sulfadiazine and vaseline when available.”
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The healing effect of nettle extract on second degree burn wounds - PubMed
Our findings showed maximal rate of healing in the nettle group. So it may be a suitable substitute for silver sulfadiazine and vaseline when available.
Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis
“A nettle (Urtica dioica) extract shows in vitro inhibition of several key inflammatory events that cause the symptoms of seasonal allergies. These include the antagonist and negative agonist activity against the Histamine-1 (H(1)) receptor and the inhibition of mast cell tryptase preventing degranulation and release of a host of pro-inflammatory mediators that cause the symptoms of hay fevers.”
“Through the use of DART TOF-MS, which yields exact masses and relative abundances of compounds present in complex mixtures, bioactives have been identified in nettle that contribute to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory pathways related to allergic rhinitis. These results provide for the first time, a mechanistic understanding of the role of nettle extracts in reducing allergic and other inflammatory responses in vitro.”
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A nettle (Urtica dioica) extract shows in vitro inhibition of several key inflammatory events that cause the symptoms of seasonal allergies. These include the antagonist and negative agonist activity against the Histamine-1 (H(1)) receptor and the inhibition of mast cell … Continue reading
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