http://cph.sagepub.com/Canada

Revue des Pharmaciens du Canadian Pharmacists Journal /

http://cph.sagepub.com/content/138/1/46The online version of this article can be found at:

 DOI: 10.1177/171516350513800109

2005 138: 46Canadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du CanadaMario Bédard

Therapeutic Uses for Stinging Nettle  

Published by:

http://www.sagepublications.com

On behalf of: 

  Canadian Pharmacists Association

can be found at:Canadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du CanadaAdditional services and information for    

  http://cph.sagepub.com/cgi/alertsEmail Alerts:

 

http://cph.sagepub.com/subscriptionsSubscriptions:  

http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.navReprints:  

http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.navPermissions:  

What is This? 

- Feb 1, 2005Version of Record >>

at UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR on July 12, 2014cph.sagepub.comDownloaded from at UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR on July 12, 2014cph.sagepub.comDownloaded from

46 CPJ/RPC • FEBRUARY 2005, VOL. 138, NO. 1

Stinging nettle is a plant that isnative to Eurasia, but is now

found throughout the world.1 Urticadioica owes its common name tothe hairs found on the whole plant,which cause a stinging sensationupon contact with the skin. Theparts of the plant used for medicinalpurposes are the seeds, leaves, androots.1,2

Why do people use it?The leaves are used for the treatmentof rheumatic conditions, seasonalallergies, and for the prevention andtreatment of kidney stones.1,3 Peoplealso use stinging nettle for its diureticeffect, hemostatic activity, and itsblood glucose-lowering properties.1-3

The root is used for the control ofsymptoms associated with stage 1and 2 benign prostatic hypertrophy(BPH).1,2,4,5

How does it work?Stinging nettle has many constituentsthat help explain some of its medici-nal properties. The roots containtannins, coumarin, triterpenes, andsterols, including beta-sitosterol,a compound known to improvesymptoms associated with BPH.2,6

Stinging nettle may prevent the sexhormone-binding globulin (SHBG)from binding to prostate cells.6,7

The aerial parts of stinging nettlehave flavonoids, chlorophyll, triter-penes, sterols, vitamins, and miner-als.1-3 Urticin, a compound thatcauses a decrease in blood glucosein rats, is also found in stinging net-tle.1 The herb also contains betaineand serotonin, two agents shownto cause uterine activity in rats.

Histamine, choline, acetylcholine,and serotonin have been isolated

ALTERNAT IVE MED IC INE

Therapeutic uses for stinging nettle

Mario Bédard, PharmD, is chief clinical phar-macist with the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus.

The root of stinging nettle has someactivity for the symptomatic treat-ment of benign prostatic hypertro-phy. However, the evidence is not asstrong as with pygeum or saw pal-metto. Please note that stinging net-tle is often used in combination withother herbs for BPH. People shouldnot start stinging nettle for thesymptomatic treatment of BPHbefore consulting first with a physi-cian to confirm the diagnosis and torule out malignancy.

BOTTOM LINE

Mario Bédard

from the hairs on the surface ofthe plant.1,3

What is the evidence?Most of the clinical evidence for theuse of stinging nettle comes fromtrials evaluating the herb for thesymptomatic treatment of BPH.Several published studies indicatethat stinging nettle improves BPHsymptoms such as urine flow andurinary volume.2,6 However, the dataseem to indicate that benefits aremore substantial when using a com-bination of stinging nettle and otherherbs known to improve BPH symp-toms, such as pygeum or saw pal-metto.8 One recent trial did not findan improvement in BPH symptomswhen stinging nettle was used alonefor six months.5

One study comparing nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)alone to NSAIDs in association withstinging nettle concluded that theassociation was superior to theNSAID alone in the treatment ofacute arthritis.2

Side effectsMild gastrointestinal complaints arethe only side effects reported withstinging nettle when used at usualdoses.1,2,4,5 Allergic reactions havebeen reported and one case ofsevere and persistent tongue swellingwas documented when the patientapplied stinging nettle leaves directlyto her tongue.5,9 A stinging sensationmay occur when the skin is exposedto the hairs present on the aerialparts of the plant.1,2

Drug interactionsNo drug interactions have beenreported. Theoretical considerationsinclude a potential for alteration ofblood glucose in patients takinghypoglycemic agents, and a furtherdecrease in blood pressure due tothe hypotensive effect of stingingnettle.2,3

Vitamin K is present in theplant and can therefore potentiallydecrease the anticoagulant effect ofwarfarin.3

Precautions andcontraindicationsStinging nettle is contraindicatedduring pregnancy due to its uterineactivity.1,3,10 There are no dataregarding safety during breastfeeding.

When using the root for BPH it is

at UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR on July 12, 2014cph.sagepub.comDownloaded from

47CPJ/RPC • FEBRUARY 2005, VOL. 138, NO. 1

important to remember that althoughstinging nettle may decrease symp-toms it does not reduce the size ofthe prostate.4 Physician visits at regu-lar intervals are recommended tomonitor progression of symptoms.

DoseThe dose of stinging nettle root forthe treatment of BPH is usually 4 to6 g daily, divided into three doses.2,4

When using the seeds or the leaves,people use 6 to 12 g daily, in threedoses.1,2 Those with allergic rhinitistypically take 300 mg three timesdaily, and one reference recommends9 g daily for the control of the symp-toms associated with osteoarthritis.3 ■

REFERENCES

1. Anon. Stinging nettle. In: Forget L, ed.Herbal companion to AHFS DI. Bethesda,MD: American Society of Health-SystemsPharmacists; 2001:95-6.

2. Stelling K. Stinging nettle. In: Chandler F,ed. Herbs: everyday reference for healthprofessionals. Ottawa: CanadianPharmacists Association; 2000:206-7.

3. Anon. Stinging nettle above ground parts.In: Jellin JM, Batz F, Hitchens K, eds.Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s LetterNatural Medicines ComprehensiveDatabase. Stockton, CA: TherapeuticResearch Faculty; 1999 (electronic versionaccessed October 13, 2004).

4. Blumenthal M, ed. The complete GermanCommission E monographs: therapeuticguide to herbal medicines. Austin:American Botanical Council; 1998:217.

5. Anon. Stinging nettle root. In: Jellin JM,Batz F, Hitchens K, eds. Pharmacist’sLetter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural MedicinesComprehensive Database. Stockton, CA:Therapeutic Research Faculty; 1999 (elec-tronic version accessed October 13, 2004).

6. Dvorkin L, Song KY. Herbs for benignprostatic hyperplasia. Ann Pharmacother2002;36:1443-52.

7. Yarnell E. Botanical medicines for theurinary tract. World J Urol 2002;20:285-93.

8. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Rutks I, et al.Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperpla-sia. Public Health Nutr 2000;3(4A):459-72.

9. Caliskaner Z, Karaayvaz M, Ozturk S.Misuse of a herb: stinging nettle (Urticaurens) induced severe tongue oedema.Complement Ther Med 2004;12:57-8.

10. Lepik K. Safety of herbal medications inpregnancy. Can Pharm J 1997;130(3):29-33.

at UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR on July 12, 2014cph.sagepub.comDownloaded from