What Is Stinging Nettle? Other Names: Bichu, Common Nettle, Feuille d’Ortie

What is Stinging Nettle?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial plant known for its medicinal properties and widespread use in traditional medicine. This article explores the various aspects of stinging nettle, including its potential health benefits, applications in different fields, and the scientific evidence supporting its use. Other names include: Bichu, Common Nettle, Feuille d’Ortie, Graine d’Ortie, Grande Ortie, Great Stinging Nettle, Nettle, Nettle Leaf, Nettle Seed, Nettle Worth, Nettles, Ortie, Ortie Brûlante, Ortie des Jardins, Ortie Dioïque, Ortie Méchante, Ortiga, Small Nettle, Stinging Nettles, Urtica, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Urticae Herba et Folium, Urticae Radix.

Medicinal Properties and Health Benefits

Gulf War Illness

Stinging nettle has shown promise in reducing symptoms of Gulf War Illness (GWI). A placebo-controlled, pseudo-randomized, crossover trial indicated that higher doses of stinging nettle significantly decreased GWI symptom severity compared to placebo, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for GWI1.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Effects

Research on stinging nettle’s antioxidant properties has demonstrated its potential in cancer therapy. In a rat model of mammary gland cancer, stinging nettle was found to influence antioxidant enzyme activities and reduce lipid peroxidation, which may slow tumor formation3. This highlights its role in managing oxidative stress and its potential anticancer effects.

Heat Stress in Poultry

Stinging nettle has also been studied for its effects on poultry under heat stress. Dietary supplementation with stinging nettle significantly reduced cortisol levels and improved serum biochemical parameters in broilers, indicating its potential to alleviate heat stress and improve poultry health4.

Hypertension and Antioxidative Defense

In spontaneously hypertensive rats, stinging nettle leaf extract was found to reduce mean arterial pressure and enhance antioxidative defense by increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. This suggests its potential use in managing hypertension and oxidative stress6.

Allergic Rhinitis

A clinical trial investigating the efficacy of stinging nettle root extract in treating allergic rhinitis found significant improvements in clinical symptoms and a reduction in nasal smear eosinophil count. However, changes in serum IgE and interleukin levels were not significant, indicating the need for further research7.

Bone Formation

Stinging nettle has been shown to promote bone formation in rats undergoing maxillary expansion. Systemic administration of stinging nettle increased the number of osteoblasts and capillaries, suggesting its potential in accelerating bone healing and reducing inflammation8.

Colitis

Stinging nettle seed oil demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in a rat model of colitis. It reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage in colonic tissue, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel diseases9.

Osteoarthritis Pain

A randomized controlled trial found that stinging nettle leaf application significantly reduced pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritic pain at the base of the thumb or index finger. This supports its traditional use in managing arthritis pain10.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Mineral Uptake and Contamination

Stinging nettle can accumulate heavy metals such as arsenic and lead from contaminated soils. A study on nettle growth in lead-arsenate contaminated orchard soils found significant bio-concentration of these metals in both roots and shoots, raising concerns about the safety of nettle products from contaminated environments2.

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Adverse Effects of Stinging Nettle

Toxic Metal Accumulation

Stinging nettle can accumulate toxic metals like arsenic and lead when grown in contaminated soils, posing a risk of human exposure to these toxic elements through consumption of nettle products3.

Impact on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities

In a rat model of mammary gland cancer, stinging nettle treatment led to decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased catalase (CAT) activity, indicating potential alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities2.

Potential for Adverse Reactions in Specific Conditions

In a study on Gulf War Illness (GWI), higher doses of stinging nettle significantly decreased symptom severity, but lower doses did not show significant effects. This suggests that dosage is critical and improper dosing may not yield beneficial effects5.

Effects on Serum Biochemical Parameters

In broilers subjected to chronic heat stress, dietary stinging nettle at 4% reduced serum cortisol, total cholesterol, and tissue damage indices, indicating potential benefits. However, the study did not report any adverse effects at these dosages1 9.

Immunomodulatory Effects

In broiler chickens, stinging nettle showed non-significant immunomodulatory effects, suggesting that it may not have strong adverse effects on immune function at the tested dosages8.

Colonic Inflammation

In a rat model of colitis, stinging nettle seed oil reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and other markers of inflammation, indicating anti-inflammatory properties. No adverse effects were reported in this context7.

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How has Stinging Nettle Improved Patient Outcomes?

Allergic Rhinitis Improvement

Stinging nettle significantly reduced clinical symptom severity and nasal smear eosinophil count in patients with allergic rhinitis, although changes in IgE and certain interleukins were not significant1.

Gulf War Illness Symptom Reduction

Higher doses of stinging nettle significantly decreased symptom severity in Gulf War Illness patients compared to placebo2.

Chronic Knee Pain Relief

Nettle sting showed a reduction in pain scores for chronic knee pain, making it an acceptable and minorly irritating treatment for patients3.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Symptom Management

Stinging nettle extract significantly reduced the International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS) and improved quality of life in BPH patients, although some studies found no significant difference compared to placebo4 5 7.

Arthritis Pain Alleviation

Nettle sting significantly reduced pain and disability scores in patients with osteoarthritic pain at the base of the thumb or index finger6.

Colitis Inflammation Reduction

Stinging nettle seed oil decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and ameliorated colonic tissue disturbances in experimental colitis in rats9.

Bone Formation Enhancement

Systemic administration of stinging nettle accelerated new bone formation and reduced inflammation in the maxillary expansion procedure in rats10.

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Stinging Nettle Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Antioxidant Enzyme Activity: Stinging nettle increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), which help in reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation1 7.

Reduction of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines: Stinging nettle seed oil decreases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and other markers of inflammation, which helps in ameliorating conditions like colitis2.

Immunomodulatory Effects

Enhancement of Innate Immunity: Stinging nettle extract increases leukocyte counts and enhances phagocytic activity, indicating a boost in cell-mediated innate immune potential3.

Non-significant Immunomodulatory Effects in Broilers: While some studies suggest potential immunomodulatory effects, others found non-significant changes in antibody titers and other immune parameters in broiler chickens4.

Hormonal and Biochemical Modulation

Reduction of Stress Hormones: Dietary supplementation with stinging nettle reduces serum cortisol levels and other stress-related biochemical parameters in broilers subjected to chronic heat stress5.

Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile Improvement: Chronic intake of stinging nettle leaf extract reduces blood pressure and improves antioxidative defense mechanisms in hypertensive rats, similar to the effects of losartan therapy7.

Potential Therapeutic Applications

Cancer Therapy: Stinging nettle constituents may affect lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, potentially slowing the formation of mammary tumors in rats1.

Gulf War Illness: Higher doses of stinging nettle may help reduce symptoms of Gulf War Illness, although further research is needed to confirm these findings6.

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Common Complaints Associated with Stinging Nettle Use

Symptom Severity and Dosage

Higher doses of stinging nettle significantly decreased GWI symptom severity compared to placebo, while lower doses did not show a significant difference1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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