Stinging nettle is a shrub native to the colder parts of Asia and Europe that has spread throughout the world. The stinging nettle is named for the irritation that results when you touch the leaves or stems of the plant with your skin. The leaves and stems bear tiny hairs that release irritants upon contact.
In spite of its ability to cause an irritating rash, stinging nettle has long been used as an herbal remedy and a food source. The roots, stems and leaves of the stinging nettle have been used topically and internally to treat conditions like allergies, asthma, gout, urinary problems and arthritis. You, too, can enjoy the health benefits of the stinging nettle by drinking nettle leaf tea (click here to see where you can buy this tea).
Nettle Leaf Tea Contains Healthful Compounds
The leaves and root of the common stinging nettle plant contain a wealth of antioxidants and flavonols, like quercetin, that clear free radicals from your body to prevent the cellular damage that leads to cancer and chronic disease. Other phytonutrients in stinging nettle, like beta-sitosterol, help protect your heart by controlling blood cholesterol levels and dietary fat absorption.
Stinging Nettle for Arthritis and Gout
Traditionally, stinging nettle leaves have been used topically to treat painful inflammatory conditions like arthritis and gout. The treatment involves placing the fresh leaves directly on the surface of the skin over the affected joints. The irritation caused by the stinging nettle leaves stimulates the body to block pain signals coming from that joint. As a result, the pain and inflammation are relieved. Of course, in order for this treatment to work, you have to first tolerate the initial discomfort of applying the fresh nettle leaves to your skin. Ingesting stinging nettle leaves in the form of tea or supplements can also help ease arthritis symptoms.
Nettle Leaf for Allergies
Tea made from the leaves of the stinging nettle can help prevent the occurrence of seasonal allergy symptoms, and may help treat symptoms that have already appeared. One study showed drinking nettle leaf tea for a week relieved allergy symptoms in participants.
Nettle Leaf Tea for Urinary Health
Nettle leaf tea has been traditionally used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, a non-cancerous condition that causes enlargement of the prostate and makes urination difficult. Research supports this use. Some studies suggest nettle leaf tea may also prevent prostate cancer.
Tea made from the leaves of the stinging nettle also helps to support kidney and bladder health. Nettle leaf tea works to support prostate and urinary tract health because it is a diuretic, so it encourages your body to flush away excess fluids in the form of urine. By supporting adequate urine flow, nettle leaf tea prevents the build-up of minerals that could form kidney stones, and flushes bacteria from the urinary tract before it can cause an infection.
How to Use Stinging Nettle Tea
Stinging nettle tea is considered safe for long-term use. Steep one to two teaspoons of dried nettle leaves, or a tea bag, in eight ounces of hot water for five to ten minutes before drinking. There is no standard recommended dose of nettle leaf tea; a cup for per day should be sufficient, but you may drink nettle tea more often if you like.
Side Effects, Drug Interactions and Precautions
Nettle leaf tea may not be safe for use during pregnancy. You should also avoid drinking nettle leaf tea if you are breastfeeding.
Consuming nettle leaf tea or preparations can cause perspiration and mild stomach upset. If you are diabetic, stinging nettle tea might increase your risk of low blood sugar. Stinging nettle preparations may also lower blood pressure.
Stinging nettle tea can interact with medications used to treat high blood pressure and diabetes. It can interact with lithium, sedative medications that depress the central nervous system, and warfarin, a blood thinner. If you are taking any of these drugs, talk to your doctor before using nettle leaf tea.
The leaves of the common stinging nettle plant have a long history of medicinal use. A tea made from stinging nettle leaves can be used to support prostate and urinary health and treat allergies. When applied topically, the leaves can treat arthritis and gout symptoms. Use nettle leaf tea carefully if you are taking medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, sedatives, lithium or warfarin.
Image by Jason Hollinger from Wikimedia Commons.
About the Author: Contributing blogger Jerry Yarnell is a registered herbalist with over 10 years of experience.
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