Stinging nettle
Urtica dioicaStriking the skin with nettles (urtication) has been known since ancient Rome. The same practice is used in Anatolia and the Andes, independently of each other.
What is Stinging nettle?
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a plant of the Urticaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Andes. Part used: leaves, root, seeds.
What is Stinging nettle used for?
Traditional use: In spring the young leaves go into soups, pastries and sautés. Scientific evidence: limited. The EMA recognises the leaf for joint pain and as a diuretic, and the root for urinary complaints linked to benign prostate enlargement, as traditional uses.
Is Stinging nettle safe?
Safety label: generally safe. The fresh plant causes itching and welts. Because it is a diuretic, people taking blood pressure or diabetes medicines should be careful.
Traditional use
In spring the young leaves go into soups, pastries and sautés. In folk medicine it is used to “build blood” and for rheumatism; aching joints are struck with a fresh stem.
In Andean folk healing, ortiga is lightly struck on the body during a limpia. It is believed to open the circulation and draw out susto, the illness caused by fright.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Dead-nettles (Lamium) look similar but do not sting and have showy flowers. Nettle leaves are hairy and sting when touched.
Preparation
Leaves lose their sting when blanched. Dried leaves are brewed as tea.
What science says
The EMA recognises the leaf for joint pain and as a diuretic, and the root for urinary complaints linked to benign prostate enlargement, as traditional uses. Clinical trials of the root show moderate results.
How strong is the evidence?
Claims often repeated online about Stinging nettle, and what science says today.
| Claim | Evidence | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eases urinary complaints from prostate enlargement (root) | Limited evidence | Moderate benefit in some controlled trials; recognised by the EMA as traditional. Prostate cancer must first be ruled out by a doctor. |
| Helps joint pain (leaf) | Limited evidence | Slight pain reduction in small studies; recognised by the EMA as traditional. |
| Acts as a diuretic | Traditional only | Recognised by the EMA as a traditional aid to flushing the urinary tract. |
| Stops hair loss | No evidence | No reliable human studies. |
| Cures anaemia | No evidence | Contains iron, but is no substitute for treating iron-deficiency anaemia. |
Common mistakes
- Mixing up leaf and root: the root is studied for the prostate, the leaf for joints and urination.
- Using it alone as a diuretic for swelling caused by heart or kidney failure.
- Picking without gloves; the leaves lose their sting when blanched or dried.
Frequently asked
What is nettle tea good for?
The EMA recognises the leaf tea for mild joint pain and as an aid to flushing the urinary tract, as traditional uses. Most other claims are unproven.
Does nettle lower blood pressure?
Shown in some animal studies; there is not enough human data. People on blood pressure medicine should ask their doctor.
Can I drink it in pregnancy?
Not recommended; effects on the uterus have been reported.
Safety
The fresh plant causes itching and welts. Because it is a diuretic, people taking blood pressure or diabetes medicines should be careful.
Culture bridge
Healing with a stinging herb. Aching joints in Anatolia and bodies in Andean limpias are struck with nettles. Read the comparison →
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographUrticae folium: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- EMA monographUrticae radix: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Urtica dioica
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe