Traditional Uses and Benefits of the Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica
If you have ever had an accidental encounter with stinging nettle, you will never forget it. The plant is well named. Learn to recognize it
and avoid it unless you need it. Stinging nettle is a perennial, growing between 3 to 7 feet tall. It is dioecious and herbaceous, dying back in the winter. I

It grows from bright yellow, widely spreading rhizomes and stolons.
The leaves are opposite, mostly oval or occasionally heart-shaped. The soft, green leaves are 1 to 6 inches long and are
arranged oppositely on an erect stem. The leaves have a serrated margin and cordate base. Both the leaves and stems are very hairy with non-stinging hairs and many stinging hairs.

Numerous flowers appear June to September in dense axillary inflorescences. They are greenish or brownish, growing in branched clusters. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants or branches.

Edible Use
The leaves are edible. Stinging nettles have a flavor similar to spinachand cucumber when cooked. Gather them with gloved hands and soak them in water to remove the stinging chemicals before cooking and eating. Only eat stinging nettle leaves before the flowers appear. Beyond that time, they can cause internal irritation, especially of the urinary tract.
Dried nettle leaves and flowers make a nice herbal tea.
Medicinal Use
Nettle can be taken as capsules of 300 mg of powdered dried leaves,
allowing 2 to 3 capsules daily.

For tincture, take 2 to 4 ml of Herbal Nettle Tincture, three times daily.
Stimulate Blood Flow
Stinging nettle stimulates the circulatory system and blood flow. To stimulate blood flow and improve circulation, I recommend taking Nettle Infusion or Tea. For general circulatory problems, I recommend a combination of nettle and plantain.
Arthritis, Rheumatism, Gout Pain and Inflammation
Stinging nettle treats rheumatism, gout, and other inflammatory conditions. It suppresses inflammation, flushes toxins from the body and helps reduce the pain of these conditions.

For these conditions I recommend Nettle Infusion internally, twice a day. A compress made by soaking a cotton pad in nettle tincture and placing it over the painful joint is also helpful.

Eczema and Skin Inflammations
Both the tincture and infusion of stinging nettle are useful for treating eczema and other skin inflammations.
Burns, Insect Bites, and Wounds
Use a double strong Nettle Infusion as a wash to treat burned skin, sunburns, insect bites, wounds, and other skin
irritations.

Make the Nettle Infusion recipe using 2 tablespoons of dried or fresh nettle leaves. Use the cooled liquid to
wash and treat these conditions, allowing it to dry on the skin.

Menstrual Problems
Women with heavy uterine bleeding and other menstrual problems benefit from two doses of Nettle Tincture daily.
Sprains, Cramps, Tendinitis, Sciatica
Muscle cramping and injuries and nerve pains benefit from the application of a compress made by soaking a cotton pad in Nettle Tincture and applying it over the affected area. Fasten it in place for best results.
Hemorrhoids
Infused Nettle Oil, applied directly to the hemorrhoids help shrink the inflamed tissue and reduce the pain.
Anemia, Cardiac Insufficiency, Swellings, Enlarged Spleen and as a Whole Body Tonic
For serious conditions such as these, use fresh nettle juice prepared by soaking and blending the whole fresh plant. Take two ounces of this juice, 3 times daily.
Nosebleeds
To stop the bleeding, have patients inhale the powdered leaf as a snuff.

Recipes
Nettle Infusion
1 Tablespoon dried nettle leaves, crushed and 1 cup boiling water
Pour the boiling water over the nettle leaves and allow it to steep for 8 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink twice daily.
Healthy Heart Herbal Tea
2 fresh nettle leaves, 1 fresh plantain leaf, 1 cup water, 3 fresh mint leaves for flavor. Bring the herbs and water to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer.
Simmer for 3 minutes.

Allow the herbs to steep for 10 minutes while the tea cools. Drink it hot before breakfast and lunch.

Nettle Tincture
Stinging nettle leaves, fresh or crushed and dried (fresh is best) 100 proof vodka or other drinking alcohol of same strength.
Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid

Fill the jar with fresh nettle leaves that have been sliced into thin pieces and crushed. Pour 100 proof vodka over the leaves and fill the jar, making sure all the leaves are covered. Cap the jar tightly and place it in a cool, but sunny location suchas a window sill.
Let the tincture marinate for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Add more alcohol, if needed to keep the jar
full. Pour the alcohol through a fine mesh sieve or a coffee filter toremove all of the herbs.

Store the tincture in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 7 years. Dosage: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, twice daily.

Infused Nettle Oil

Never use Nettle Essential Oil without diluting it, this is a powerful drug.

Use oil as a base to make nettle ointment for inflammatory diseases relief such as dermatitis, rheuma, arthritis or osteoporosis.
2 ounces shredded or ground nettle leaves, 1 cup olive oil, double boiler, water and coffee filter. Bring the water to boil in the bottom of a double boiler, then turn down the heat and let the water simmer.

Add the olive oil and nettle leaves into the top of the double boiler and place it on the simmering base. The bottom
of the oil pot should rest just above the simmering water so that it gets gentle heat. Heat the oil gently for one hour.

Remove the oil from the heat and let it cool. Strain it through a coffee filter. If you used powdered root, you could
leave it in the oil, if desired.0

Uses for Nettle Oil

The Nettle Oil recipes and remedies are using 0il with fresh plant material, we do not recommend the use of Nettle essential oil without dilution: 3-4 drops of ES to 3-4 tablespoons carrier oil.

Has strong anti-diabetic effects

Nettle essential oil is an anti-diabetic herb. It has been found effective against type II diabetes. Diabetes is a condition generated due to disorders in metabolism, associated with cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation is said to be a participating factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Reduces inflammation

Nettle essential oil was found effective on inflammatory-causing factors by several studies and has been proven effective.

It regulates the intermediate factors of inflammation that participate in acute and chronic inflammation by producing pro-inflammatory factors in excess such as TNF-α, granulocytes or macrophage-stimulating factors like (GM-CSF) and interleukin 1b.

Whenever you are injured or have anything abnormal going on, the nociceptors get activated and your neurons feel the sensation of pain.

However, the stings of nettle are considered as a safe treatment for pain in the musculoskeletal system. Nettle oil contains compounds serotonin (often called the happy chemical) and histamine (a compound that tour cells release in response to injuries, allergies, and inflammatory reactions).

Protects the liver cells from damage

Nettle is often admired for its strong hepaprotective properties. Thus, it helps in protecting the liver cells from damage, especially the ones caused due to ischemia-reperfusion.

Also, it also has antioxidants and free radical scavenging property, which also defend the liver cells being damaged due to ischemia.

It is also found helpful in the prevention of liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. Nettle oil is effective in protecting liver cells from getting fibrosis by activating several immunomodulator factors. It also decreases lipid peroxidation and enhances the health of liver cells.

Effective against viral infections

Nettle essential oil is a strong antiviral herb. It is even found to be effective against HIV. Urticaria is the natural drug that has N-acetylglucosamine binding protein in abundance. This prevents the entry of HIV and other viruses that has the conserved site for N-glycosylation in GP120 being deleted.

Useful in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Nettle oil is found effective against benign prostatic hyperplasia, an age-associated condition where the prostate gland enlarges and causes difficulties in urination.

A reliable treatment for osteoarthritis

Nettle essential oil has potent analgesic properties and has been found effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis as well as pain relief.

It is used as an effective analgesic & nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. During a double-blind clinical study, researchers compared the so-called, marketed drug phytalgic with nettle essential oil. It was found that it was effective in the treatment for osteoarthritis and helped in reducing pain sensation. (

Treats hay fever

Nettle oil is found effective against hay fever, an allergic reaction that arises due to inflammation in nose lining.

It is found effective in controlling the factors associated with hay fever or it can also be said that nettle essential oil is found effective in controlling the allergic symptoms occurred due to seasonal factors or allergens. It blocks histamine receptors and also suppresses the body’s immune system.

Helps to cure prostate cancer

Nettle is a potent antioxidant herb and is often used in the treatment of prostatic cancer. Aromatase is a key enzyme responsible for the generation of prostate cancer and this component is inhibited by hydroxyl fatty acids and sterols present in nettle essential oil.

The extract of nettle roots inhibits the binding of globulin to the receptors. It directly inhibits the proliferation of HeLa cells and blocks them from bonding to epidermal growth factors.

The leaves of nettle also inhibit the activity of ADA in infected tissues of the prostate. The oil of nettle also has activity against CP (cisplatin) toxicity.  Due to its amazing antioxidant potential nettle is quite effective for prostate cancer.

Heals allergic rhinitis

Nettle oil can also treat allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies. It is considered an effective OTC (over-the-counter) drug for treating several seasonal allergies such as dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, etc.

The leaves of nettle are used in preventing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators that are responsible for a few medical conditions such as watery eyes, itching of eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion. (16)

Dry & frozen stinging leaves and its extract are used for preserving several bioactive amines including histamine and acetylcholine. Different studies analyzed the compounds in nettle leaves and proved that they are effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and its associated symptoms. (17)

Potent cardio-protective agent

Nettle essential oil is also a potent cardioprotective. It protects the heart by controlling the increased blood pressure levels.

When it gets into the bloodstream, it starts working as a vasodilator. It releases NO (nitric oxide) in blood vessels. With the effect of NO, the blood vessels dilate and this, in turn, reduces high blood pressure.

The oil also blocks the calcium channel present on the walls of the cardiovascular system. Due to this blockage, the heart does not feel suffocated.

The powerful antioxidant potential of nettle oil also helps in relaxing the arteries and works as a cardioprotective.

When the chances of increased blood pressure decrease, it also helps in maintaining the health of the kidneys. When blood pressure decreases, the renal pressure also decreases and kidney works properly.

You should regularly check the blood sugar levels, as it can cause an instant decline in the blood sugar & blood pressure levels. Nettle essential oil also increases the flow of urine. Hence, proper precautions must be taken by renal patients while using it. Never use Nettle Essential Oil without dilution. The Oil referred to on this page is a infused and diluted version, no essentials oils are used in the recipes.

On hair

Massage the nettle oil onto your scalp and hair and leave it there for 2 minutes before rinsing it out.

Nettle oil is also used to treat skin irritation on the scalp including cradle cap in enfants or eczema.

Put some into the shampoo and and then massage it into your hair and scalp. To multiply the effect rinse hair with nettle extracts afterwards. Boil the water, place dried nettle leaves in a jar, pour over hot water and let it infuse till the mixture is cool. You can also add other herbs such as chamomile or sage. Strain the mixture and use it after shampoo. Just simply start from roots all the way down to the hair tips. After the rinse cover your hair with a towel and leave it to dry. Don’t wash it with water afterwards. You can do it twice a week.

Is nettle oil safe? Nettle oil is safe however avoid using it if you are allergic or if you are sensitive to nettle or other plants from the same family.  

How long does homemade nettle oil last? If stored in a cool, dry place without direct sun exposure, nettle oil can last up to one year.

Can I use nettle oil orally? Yes, nettle can be taken orally and it is mildly diuretic and may helps to ease issues with the prostate. It can also be used orally for hay fever. A tablespoon omce or twice a day should suffice.

It is considered unsafe for pregnant women and the baby. It must be completelyavoided during lactation.