What Is Nettle Used for Today? | What Is the Scientific Evidence
for Nettle? | Safety Issues | Interactions You Should Know About
Anyone who lives in a locale where nettle grows wild will
eventually discover the powers of this dark green plant.
Depending on the species, the fine hairs on its leaves and stem
cause burning pain that lasts from hours to weeks. But this
well-protected herb has also been used as medicine. Nettle juice
was used in Hippocrates' time to treat bites and stings, and
European herbalists recommended nettle tea for lung disorders.
Nettle tea was used by Native Americans as an aid in pregnancy,
childbirth, and nursing. What Is Nettle Used for Today? is more
commonly used medicinally than the above-ground portion of the
herb. In Europe, nettle root is widely used for the treatment of
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) , or prostate enlargement.
Like saw palmetto, pygeum, and beta-sitosterol, nettle appears
to reduce obstruction to urinary flow and decrease the need for
nighttime urination.