Urtica dioica

Urtica dioica from Thomé, Flora von Deutschland, Own Photo

Österreich und der Schweiz 1885

Botanical Name: Urtica dioica (1,4,7,8)

Common Name(s): Stinging nettle (3,7,8), Common nettle (4), Urtica ortie (4)
Plant Family: Urticaceae (1,4,8)

Parts Used: Flowers (1,3,4,8), root (1,2,4,5,6), leaves (1,2,3,4,5,6,8), seeds (1,3)

Active Constituents: Iron (1,6), vitamins A (4) and C (4), beta-carotene (4),
phosphorus (4), calcium (4,6), potassium (4,5,6), chlorophyll (4,5), magnesium (4),
tannins (2,4) , flavonoids (4,5,6), sterols (4), amines (2,4,6), lignans (2,4), lectins (4),
polysaccharides (2,4), fatty acids (4), terpenes (4), coumarin (2,4), leukotrienes (5),
glycoprotein (5), free amino acids (5), silicon (5), acetylcholine (2,5), histamine

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(5,8),scopoletin (2,5), silicic acid (2,6), flavanol glycosides (2), phenolic acid (2), sterols
(2,6), glucoquinone (6), ascorbic acid (8), 5-hydroxytryptamine (8)

Actions: Alterative (1), astringent (1,3,6), hemostatic(1,6,7,8),diuretic(1,3,4,5,6,7),

blood building(1), antihistamine (1,6,7), antirheumatic (2,7), tonic (3,6), anti-
inflammatory (1,4,5,6,7), analgesic (4,5), hypotensive (4,5), depurative (7),
antihyperglycemic (4,5), antiproliferative effects on prostate cells (4,7), antiviral (4),
antioxidant (4), hepatoprotective (4), local anaesthetic effects (5), reduces prostate
enlargement (6), hypoglycaemic (8), counter-irritant (7)

Indications: Digestion problems (1), respiratory conditions (1), hemorrhoids (1), burns
and scalds (1,7), bites and stings (1), thyroid function (1), menstrual imbalance (1), gout
(1), arthritic conditions (1,2,4,5,6), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (1,2,4,5,6,7),
allergic rhinitis (1,4,7), diarrhoea (1,4), colon diseases (4,7), internal bleeding (4,7),
eczema (1,4,8), arthroses (5), rheumatism (2,5), kidney stones (2), anaemia (6),
epistaxis (8), cleansing/detoxifying (6), uterine hemorrhage (8), cutaneous eruptions (8),
melaena (8), osteoarthritis (7)

Specific Indication: Nervous eczema (8)

Combinations used: Combines well with Lappa Root (8)

Cautions and Contraindications: Avoid in oedema from impaired cardiac or

renal function (1).

People with known sensitivities or allergies to stinging nettle should use this herb
cautiously (4). Use during pregnancy is contraindicated because of its effects on
hormones (WHO 2003) (4).

All cases of difficulty in micturition require clarification by a physician and regular

medical checks in order to rule out the need for other treatment, e.g. surgical
intervention. Consultation with a physician is particularly necessary in cases of blood in
the urine or acute urine retention (5).

Side effects: Gastrointestinal discomfort, allergic reactions, urticaria, pruritus,

oedema and decreased urine volume are possible (Ernst et al 2001) (4). Clinical studies
in BPH with herbal combinations containing nettle have found that only 0.72 - 3.7%
experience mild adverse effects (4)

Toxicity: Insufficient reliable evidence is available (4). No toxic effect reported (5)

Herb/Drug Interactions: Avoid with diuretics and antihypertensives (1)

Interactions are only based on evidence of activity and no controlled studies are
available. Potentiated effects are theoretically possible to interact with diuretic and

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antihypertensive medicines. It may also interact with finasteride, although this
interaction may be beneficial (4).

No interactions with other medications were reported (5)

Dosage/Posology:
Leaf:
Dry extract: 0.6-2.1 g/day in divided doses (4), 2-4 g three times daily (8)
Liquid extract: (1:2) 15-40ml/week (4), 1:1 in 25% alcohol 3-4 ml three times daily (8)
Hydroalcoholic extracts: 8-12 g/daily, divided into 2-3 doses (2,5)
Fresh juice: 15 ml of up to three times daily (5)
Infusion: 3-5 g as an up to three times daily (5), 2-4 g three times daily (8)
Tincture 1:5 (25% ethanol) 2-6 ml three times daily (5), 1:5 (45% alcohol) 2-6 ml three
times daily (8)

Root:
Infusion: 4-6 g a day of cut root for symptoms of BHP (2,4,5)
Dry extract: 300-600 mg (7-14:1, 20% V/V methanlol) or 378-376 mg (12-16:1, 70% V/V
ethanol) daily (5)
Liquid extract: 4.5-7.5 ml (1:1,45% ethanol) or 15 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol) daily (5)

Historical Information/Traditions/Latest Research:

Stinging nettle has been used since ancient times, with Dioscorides and Galen in
ancient Greece reporting diuretic and laxative effects for nettle leaf. It is also widely
used for gynaecological complaints by North American Indians and in Ayurvedic
medicine in India (Blumenthal et al 2000). The Latin root of urtica is uro, meaning “I
burn”, indicative of the small stings caused by the hairs of the leaves of nettle when
contact is made with the skin (4)

The plant is a native British herb, up to 150 cm tall, upright, having stinging hairs, with
ovate, usually cordate, toothed leaves, bearing insignificant axillary heads of green
flowers (8)

Nettle herb has been used to enhance renal elimination of water in inflammatory
complaints of lower urinary tract (5)

It is generally regarded as a weed. It grows throughout the temperate regions of the

world, particularly on nitrate-rich soil in waste places. The plant has been used
extensively throughout history for a variety of applications and possesses very fine,
sharp stinging hairs. It provided a source of fibre before the general introduction of flax
and has an old reputation as a spring vegetable, the young shoots being cooked and
eaten like spinach (and as a remedy for scurvy). The leaf was used as livestock fodder
and the oil from nettle seed was employed as burning oil in Egypt. Nettle is currently a
commercial source of chlorophyll. The leaf, root and seeds are all used medicinally.
Nettle leaf was traditionally regarded as a blood purifier, a styptic (stops bleeding) and a
stimulating tonic and diuretic. The Eclectics used both leaf and root for diarrhea,
discharges, chronic diseases of the colon and skin eruptions (7).

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In the 1st century AD, the Greek physician Dioscorides listed a range of uses: the fresh
chopped leaves as a plaster for septic wounds, the juice for nosebleed, and the cooked
leaves mixed with myrrh to stimulate menstruation. Today nettle is used for hay fever,
arthritis, anaemia and, surprisingly, even for nettle rash (6). Nettle can be cooked as a
vegetable and tastes like spinach (6).

References:
(1) McIntyre Anne, 2015, Herbal remedies for everyday living, Bounty Books
(2) Wink Michael, Van Wyk Ben Erik, 2004, Medicinal plants of the world, Timber
Press
(3) Wren RC, 1988, Potter’s cyclopaedia of botanical drugs and preparations, Potter
& Clarks
(4) Braun Lesley, Cohen Marc, 2010, Herbs and natural supplements: An evidence-
based guide, 3e, Churchill Livingstone-Elseiver
(5) ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), 2003, ESCOP
Monographs The scientific foundation for herbal medicinal products, 2e, ESCOP
(6) Chevallier Andrew, 2001, Encyclopedia of medicinal plants, Dorling Kindersely
Limited
(7) Bone Kerry, Mill Simon, 2013, Principles and practice of phytotherapy, 2e,
Churchill Livingstone-Elseiver
(8) British herbal pharmacopoeia, 1983, The British Herbal Medicine Association,
Bournemouth U.K.