Nettle Root

What is a nettle root?

As far back as Ancient Greece, stinging nettle, also known as urtica dioica, is a perennially blooming plant that has long been used medicinally. Despite its origins in the colder regions of Europe and Asia, stinging nettle now thrives globally. The plant typically reaches a height of two to four feet and flowers from June through September. It has pink or yellow blooms and has heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in soil that is high in nitrogen.

The Department of Dermatology at the Penn State University College of Medicine states that stinging nettle has several beneficial health effects when it is processed and used medicinally. The plant is most known for the stinging reaction that happens when the skin comes into contact with the fine stinging hairs, also known as trichomes, located on its leaves and stems. Homeopathy also makes use of it.

Most goods use the stem and leaves of stinging nettle, but the roots also have medicinal properties. The plant's anti-inflammatory properties could potentially impact the treatment of various medical conditions. Traditionally, the aboveground portions have helped with respiratory issues such as allergies. The roots might be able to treat both enlarged prostates and urinary issues.

How do I use nettle root?

You may get tinctures, lotions, pills, and dried or freeze-dried leaves. Ointments made from stinging nettles are often used to reduce osteoarthritis symptoms. You can cook the leaves, stem, and roots and use them in soups, stews, smoothies, and stir-fries. The dried leaves and blooms can be steeped to produce a delightful herbal tea.

Nettle root benefits:

promotes bone and skin health. Stinging nettle's antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial qualities can cure acne and other skin issues (Gupta, 2021). Amino acids, proteins, flavonoids, and minerals that help develop strong bones—such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc—are abundant in stinging nettles.

◉ May Reduce Inflammation: Your body uses inflammation as a defensive mechanism against infections and to mend itself. On the other hand, persistent inflammation might cause serious damage. Numerous substances found in stinging nettles may lessen inflammation.

Stinging nettle inhibited the formation of many inflammatory indicators, lowering levels of those markers in experiments conducted on animals and in test tubes. Applying stinging nettle cream or eating stinging nettle products seems to help reduce inflammatory disorders like arthritis in human trials.

For example, compared to placebo therapy, stinging nettle cream applied to arthritis-affected regions dramatically decreased pain in a trial involving 27 participants. In another trial, consuming a stinging nettle extract pill greatly reduced arthritic pain. Furthermore, participants thought that this pill allowed them to cut down on their anti-inflammatory pain medication dosage.

However, the use of stinging nettle as an anti-inflammatory has not received enough research support. Further research involving humans is required.

◉ May Treat Enlarged Prostate Symptoms: Prostatic enlargement affects up to 50% of men who are 51 years of age or older. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the term used to describe an enlarged prostate (BPH). Although the exact etiology of BPH is unknown, it may cause severe pain when urinating. Remarkably, some research indicates stinging nettles may be beneficial in the treatment of BPH.

Studies on animals suggest that this potent herb could prevent the conversion of testosterone into the more potent form, dihydrotestosterone. This process may lead to a reduction in prostate size. Research on BPH patients shows that stinging nettle extracts may effectively cure both acute and chronic urine issues without causing negative side effects.

◉ May Treat Hay Fever: An allergy that causes inflammation in the nasal lining is called hay fever. Considered a potential natural remedy for hay fever is stinging nettle. 

Test tubes have shown that stinging nettle extracts reduce inflammation, a known cause of seasonal allergies. The process involves preventing immune cells from producing substances that cause allergic symptoms and inhibiting histamine receptors.

Human studies reveal that stinging nettle is just as effective as a placebo, if not slightly more so, in treating hay fever.

◉ May Lower Blood Pressure: In the US, high blood pressure affects about half of adult citizens. Because heart disease and strokes are two of the world's top causes of death, having high blood pressure puts you at risk for these conditions, which are severe health concerns. High blood pressure was historically treated with stinging nettles.

Studies on animals and in test tubes show that it may reduce blood pressure in several ways. It might, for starters, increase the synthesis of nitric oxide, a vasodilator. Vasodilators help your blood vessels expand by relaxing the muscles that surround them. Furthermore, substances found in stinging nettles may function as calcium channel blockers, which calm your heart by lessening the power of its spasms. Animal experiments have demonstrated that stinging nettle enhances the heart's antioxidant defenses and lowers blood pressure.

Where can I buy nettle root?

Buy nettle root from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Nettle root information (at a glance):