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Nettle Root Nettle root contains numerous biologically active chemicals that may influence the prostate indirectly by interacting with sex hormones, or directly by altering the properties of prostate cells. 1–5,18–20 A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 50 men followed for 9 weeks found a significant increase in urination volume and urine flow rate in the nettle group as compared to the placebo group. 7 In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study, treatment of 67 men with nettle produced a 14% improvement in urine flow and a 53% decrease in residual urine. 8 Finally, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 40 men found a significant decrease in frequency of urination after 6 months. 9 Nettle Leaf A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled study following 69 individuals suggests that freeze-dried nettle leaf may at least slightly improve allergy symptoms. 10 One small double-blind study suggests that direct application of stinging nettle leaf to a painful joint may improve symptoms. 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dosage According to Commission E, the proper dosage of nettle root is 4 to 6 g daily of the whole root, or a proportional dose of concentrated extract. There is some reason to believe that nettle root's effectiveness might be enhanced when it is combined withanother herb used for prostate problems: pygeum. 12,13 Nettle is also sometimes combined with saw palmetto, and such combinations have been found effective. 14,15 For allergies, the proper dosage is 300 mg twice a day of freeze-dried nettle leaf. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safety Issues Because nettle leaf has a long history of food use, it is believed to be safe. Nettle root does not have as extensive a history to go by. Although detailed safety studies have not been reported, no significant adverse effects have been noted in Germany where nettle root is widely used. In practice, it is nearly side-effect free. In one study of 4,087 people who took 600 to 1,200 mg of nettle root daily for 6 months, less than 1% reported mild gastrointestinal distress and only 0.19% experienced allergic reactions (skin rash). 16 For theoretical reasons, there are some concerns that nettle may interact with diabetes, blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, and sedative medications, although there are no reports of any problems occurring. 17 The safety of nettle root or leaf for pregnant or nursing mothers has not been established, and there are concerns based on animal studies and its traditional use for inducing abortions. 18 However, nettle leaf tea is a traditional drink for pregnant and nursing women. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interactions You Should Know About If you are taking anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, sedative, or blood sugar–lowering medications, nettle might conceivably interact with them, although it is unlikely. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- References 1. Hryb DJ, Khan MS, Romas NA, et al. The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Planta Med. 1995;61:31–32. 2. Wagner H, Willer F, Samtleben R, et al. Search for the antiprostatic principle of stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica) roots. Phytomedicine. 1994;1:213–224. 3. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag; 1998:229. 4. European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. Urticae radix. Exeter, UK: ESCOP, 1996–1997:2–4. Monographs on the Uses of Plant Drugs, Fascicule 2. 5. Konrad L, Muller HH, Lenz C, et al. Antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells by a stinging nettle root ( Urtica dioica) extract. Planta Med. 2000;66:44–47. 6. European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. Urticae radix. Exeter, UK: ESCOP, 1996–1997:4–5. Monographs on the Uses of Plant Drugs, Fascicule 2. 7. Vontobel HP, Herzog R, Rutishauser G, et al. Results of a double-blind study on the effectiveness of ERU (extractum radicis Urticae) capsules in conservative treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia [translated from German]. Urologe A. 1985;24:49–51. 8. Dathe G, Schmid H. Phytotherapy of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH); double-blind study with stinging nettle root extract (Extractum Radicis Urticae - ERU) [translated from German]. Urologe B. 1987;27:223–226. 9. European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. Urticae radix. Exeter, UK: ESCOP, 1996–1997:4. Monographs on the Uses of Plant Drugs, Fascicule 2. 10. Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med. 1990;56:44–47. 11. Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, et al. Randomized controlled trial of neetle sting for the treatment of base-of-thumb pain. J R Soc Med. 2000;93:305–309. 12. Hartmann RW, Mark M, Soldati F. Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase by PHL-00801 (Prostatonin), a combination of PY 102 (Pygeum africanum) and UR 102 (Urtica dioica) extracts. Phytomedicine. 1996;3:121–128. 13. Krzeski T, Kazon M, Borkowski A, et al. Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses. Clin Ther. 1993;15:1011–1020. 14. Sokeland J. Combined sabal and urtica extract compared with finasteride in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: analysis of prostate volume and therapeutic outcome. BJU Int. 2000;86:439–442. 15. Marks LS, Partin AW, Epstein JI, et al. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2000;163:1451–1456. 16. Shulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag; 1998:229. 17. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London, England: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:201–202. 18. Schottner M, Gansser D, Spiteller G. Lignans from the roots of Urtica dioica and their metabolites bind to human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Planta Med. 1997;63:529–532. 19. Hirano T, Homma M, Oka K. Effects of stinging nettle root extracts and their steroidal components on the Na+,K(+)-ATPase of the benign prostatic hyperplasia. Planta Med. 1994;60:30–33. 20. Lichius JJ, Lenz C, Lindemann P, et al. Antiproliferative effect of a polysaccharide fraction of a 20% methanolic extract of stinging nettle roots upon epithelial cells of the human prostate (LNCaP). Pharmazie. 1999;54:768–771.