Stinging Nettle medicinal benefit

Stinging nettle has been used medicinally throughout history. Nettle preparations come from leaves, stems and roots. It is a perennial. If you're taking diuretics you shouldn't use nettle, since it acts as a diuretic. If taking it for a diuretic you may need eat foods high in potassium like bananas and fresh vegetables.
Possible side affects are decreased urine flow, diarrhea, hives, stomach irritation or swelling.
There is some evidence that stinging nettle may raise blood sugar and could possibly interfere with diabetes management. There is also evidence that it can lower blood sugar. Either way, patients with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar closely when using stinging nettle

Source: Stinging nettle http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/stinging-nettle-000275.htm#ixzz2U8WQf1s4
University of Maryland Medical Center
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According to Natural News http://www.naturalnews.com/036080_stinging_nettles_remedies_arthritis.html
It may be a brash statement to say that one prickly green herb is the panacea for almost everything that ails you; but, in the case of stinging nettles, it's mostly true. If there's one plant to have on hand at all times that provides a cure for arthritis, an herbal treatment for allergies, relieves hair loss, treats Celiac disease, bleeding, bladder infections, skin complaints, neurological disorders and a long list of other conditions -- it's nettle leaf.

As with using other medications, herbs can have side affects such as what I posted above. I don't want to discourage people from seeing their doctors in lieu of using herbs, but hope you will find information you can discuss with your doctor.


Stinging nettle is the name given to common nettle, garden nettle, and hybrids of these 2 plants. Originally from the colder regions of northern Europe and Asia, this herbaceous shrub grows all over the world today. Stinging nettle grows well in nitrogen rich soil, blooms between June and September, and usually reaches 2 - 4 feet high.

Stems are upright and rigid. The leaves are heart shaped, finely toothed, and tapered at the ends, and flowers are yellow or pink. The entire plant is covered with tiny stiff hairs, mostly on the underside of the leaves and stem, that release stinging chemicals when touched


Source: Stinging nettle http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/stinging-nettle-000275.htm#ixzz2U8W2an1C
University of Maryland Medical Center
Follow us: @UMMC on Twitter | MedCenter on Facebook

Nettle grows as weeds in most places, but they can be started by either seeds or a root. Handle nettle with care due to the hairs. The hairs cover the stems and undersides of the leaves. When an animal or a person brushes up against the plant, the tips of the hair breaks off and acts like a hypodermic needle injecting a stinging venom in the skin, so be careful when growing and harvesting.

Nettles are high in nitrogen so is beneficial as a fertilizer, just make a liquid fertilizer by covering a bucket of nettles with water and set it aside to brew for one to three weeks.

For medicinal uses you need to collect the plant before it flowers and make it into a tea to treat asthma. Nettles are high in vitamin C to it makes a good tonic in the winter. Once the plant is they will lose their sting, but when harvesting make sure to wear long sleeves and gloves.

Dosages according to "The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines" is as follows:

For nasal allergies, 150 to 300 milligram capsules taken orally (can be found in most healthfood stores)
As a tea, mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb in 1 cup of boiling water. Drink up to 2 cups daily.

As a tincture 1/4 to 1 tsp of tincture taken up to twice a day.

If your skin does come in contact with the stinging nettle wash throughouly with soap and water, use antihistimines. You could also treat the sting with the juice from curly or yellow dock or even the nettles own juice.

Thank Sonshine!