A recent study at the Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley tested different types of nettle concentrates.They found that some extracts displayed cytotoxic (kills cells) properties. However, “lipophilic dichloromethane extracts of the roots, stems and leaves exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects.” Nettle’s anti-inflammatory compounds are known to help alleviate the pain of arthritis, gout, and painful muscles and joints. It is often taken in combination with NSAIDS (the aspirin family of pain killers) because it increases their painkilling ability, allowing the patient to decrease the NSAID dosage and reduce the possible side effects.

I use whole herbs whenever possible. Stinging nettle is an herb that makes a great tea, and I can personally testify to its ability to reduce inflammation related pain. I simply make a tea with two teaspoons of the whole herb in a cup of hot water. It works as well as aspirin or ibuprofen.

However, you don’t have to take my word for it. Scientists at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran tested Stinging nettle’s Antinociceptive (blocking neuron detection of pain) and antiinflammatory effects in rats. They concur with my results: It works!

Stimulates AND Suppresses the Immune System

All adaptogens have an impact on the immune system. Stinging nettle is both a immunostimulant and an immunosuppressant.The lymphatic system provides many of the enzymes the body uses to upregulate the immune system in times of need. By gently stimulating the lymphatic system, nettle boosts the immune response to injuries and invaders. This stimulation also improves liver function and assists the body’s ability to detoxify.

Karen L. Denzler et. al. at the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona showed that Stinging nettle didn’t suppress the immune system in healthy individuals, and only had that impact after lipopolysaccharide was induced.Lipopolyshaccharide is a chemical found in the outer membrane of some (gram negative) bacteria. When these bacteria are destroyed by the immune system the chemical is released into the blood stream and causes fever, diarrhea, and endotoxic shock which can be fatal.

Stinging nettle down-regulates the immune system under these conditions, protecting the infected organism from further damage.

Antimicrobial

Stinging nettle’s antimicrobial properties combined with its diuretic properties make it a good herbal treatment for kidney and bladder infections.

Stinging nettle also fights many common microbes, such as E-coli, rhinovirus (cold), and flu. A study at the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran found that it is effective against several serious infections: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli.

It also cures ulcers by killing the bacteria, helicobacter pylori, and its anti-inflammation properties help with stomach pain.

However, it is most powerful against fungal infections. This is a case where what happens in the test tube doesn’t necessarily reflect what happens in the body. My research revealed several studies that tested Stinging nettle against microbes in petri dishes and reported it had only mild antimicrobial benefits. However, human studies have shown that it is fairly powerful and fights several microbes.

Protects DNA

Stinging nettle’s phenolic compounds are antioxidants. While some studies claim Nettle’s antioxidants aren’t as strong as other plants, both animal and human studies confirm their effectiveness. They protect your cells from free radicals that cause DNA damage and cell death.

A 2012 study published in Scientific World Journal showed that tea made from stems and roots of stinging nettle contained the phenolic compounds that perform this benefit.

Treats Allergies and Asthma

The anti-inflammatory properties in nettle help it fight allergies. In addition, nettle leafs contain histamines of their own.

While that may not sound like a plant that fights allergies, histamines have long been used to fight serious allergic reactions. While histamine levels in the plasma are high in mild allergic reactions, they are actually low in severe reactions.

Treating severe reactions with nettle leafs helps balance the histamine levels to stop or prevent serious reactions. In fact, treating a patient with nettle early in an asthmatic attack can prevent the attack from occurring.

Fights Cancer

Most adaptogens fight cancer. Stinging nettle is no exception. Most scientific attention to this herb’s cancer fighting properties have centered around its ability to fight prostate cancer. Stinging nettle root has been shown to reduce prostate cancer growth by thirty percent.

Researchers at the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, PhilippsUniversität Marburg, Germany tested nettle’s ability to fight cancer in the test tube and in human patients. They found that a dichloromethanolic extract of Stinging nettle caused cancer cells to commit suicide (apoptosis), both in the test tube and in human patients.

Similar research at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences ImmunologyResearch Center in Tabriz, Iran reported similar results. Scientists found that Stinging nettle substantially increases expression of enzymes directly involved in programmed cell death and tumor destruction. It also increases the expression of mRNA, or messenger RNA, which communicates the state of DNA, identifying cancer cells.

Another study at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Immunology Research Center reported the same activity against breast cancer cells.

Protects Against Diabetes and Diabetes–induced Brain Damage

Excess fatty acids in the bloodstream cause a buildup of lipids in the pancreatic cells. Some of these lipids interfere with the cell’s ability to regulate insulin signaling, therefore decreasing the effectiveness of the cell to produce enough insulin.

The excess lipids also down regulate Adiponectin, a protein which is involved in regulating glucose levels as well as fatty acid breakdown.

Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey discovered that Stinging nettle controls lipid levels only if Adiponectin is present. However, it controls blood sugar even when Adiponectin is not present, which may help over-weight and obese people control their blood sugar and avoid diabetes.

Another way Stinging nettle helps people with diabetes is to attenuate memory deficit caused by this debilitating disease. It has been shown to improve insulin signaling in the hippocampus, restoring brain function. In addition, it protects diabetes-damaged brain tissue from oxidation.

A study at the Jaypee University of Information Technology in Waknaghat, India tested Stinging nettle for its ability to reduce diabetes induced depression. They found that it not only reduced depression, but also improved cognitive function associated with diabetes.

Protects Against Heavy Metal Poisoning and Detoxifies