Nettle herb and leaves have anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect. Internally and externally, the drug is used supportively for rheumatic complaints and, according to recent clinical studies, also for osteoarthritis. Used internally, nettle is used to treat inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, such as bladder infections, irritable bladder and inflammation of the mucous membranes (catarrh).
Nettle herb is also used for flushing therapies for the prevention and treatment of so-called kidney gravel, that is, accumulations of small kidney stones.
Apply nettle root
Nettle root is used to treat urinary complaints (micturition difficulties) due to benign enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH).
However, nettle root only improves the discomfort associated with stage I and II enlarged prostate, but does not stop the growth of the prostate itself.
Therefore, despite treatment with nettle root, the prostate should be regularly examined by a physician. Traditionally, nettle root is said to support the excretory function of the kidneys in general.
Folk medicine use of nettle
Nettle was mentioned in ancient times as a diuretic and antiflatulent. Today, the herb and leaves of the plant are used folk medicine not only as a diuretic (diuretic), but also to treat joint and muscle rheumatism, arthritis and biliary tract diseases, promote wound healing and care of the scalp and hair, blood formation and stimulation of the pancreas.
The root is used folk medicine as a diuretic and occasionally as a gargle for sore throat.
Nettle fruits are used exclusively in folk medicine. The fruits are crushed and applied externally for various skin diseases and rheumatism. For internal use, the oil extracted from the fruits is used as a tonic and, according to some herbal books, as a local hemostatic agent (hemostyptic) and remedy for diarrhea and gallbladder problems.
Use in homeopathy
In homeopathy, the fresh flowering plant is used to treat hives and renal colic. Medium potencies are used for allergies, skin itching, and rashes with wheals and burning.
Nettle and its ingredients
Nettle herb and leaves contain about 1-2% flavonoids, unsaturated fatty acids, caffeoylquinic acids such as the rare caffeoyl malic acid, and calcium and potassium salts. Biogenic amines such as serotonin, histamine, and acetylcholine are found in the stinging hairs of the leaves.
The drug may only contain stems with a diameter of no more than 3 mm (or a stem content of no more than 5%), otherwise the proportion of the efficacy-determining constituents is too low. The potassium salts, for example, are found only in the leaves.
The main efficacy-determining constituents of the root include sterols and 3-β-sitosterol in free and glycosidically bound forms, coumarin, lignans, and polysaccharides.
Nettle – for what indication?
Nettle herb/leaves can help in the following diseases:
- Rheumatic complaints
- Osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract
- Inflammation of the bladder
- Irritable bladder
- Kidney gravel
Nettle root can be helpful in the following diseases:
- Discomfort during urination
- Micturition discomfort in benign prostatic hyperplasia (stage I and II).
