Nettle root

•  Description and origin

Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) belongs to the Urticaceae family and is native to Asia and Europe. It can be found in temperate regions around the world. It grows in areas rich in nutrients, and is a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 150 cm and blossoms in late spring and summer. Its stems and leaves are covered with stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact.

•  History

Nettle has a long history of use as a food source (the leaves and stems can be eaten in salads), a source of fibre and in cosmetics².
There is evidence that in ancient Egypt, nettle infusion was used for lower back pain and arthritis, and its leaves and root have traditionally been used in case of disorders such as rheumatism, anaemia, eczema, nephritis, and as a diuretic³.

•  Composition

Nettle is rich in active principles. Its roots contain polysaccharides, sterols (beta sitosterol, hydroxy sitosterol and its glycosides), triterpene acids, fatty acids, lignans, polyphenols, ceramides, a mixture of isolectins (UDA: Urtica dioica agglutinin) and scopoletin (a coumarin)^{4, 5}.

•  Our extract

Extract name: Dry extract of nettle root standardised to contain 0.8% vegetable sterols.
Scientific name: Urtica dioica L.
Part used: Root

•  Benefits

Anti-inflammatory, diuretic and for the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and high blood pressure⁵.

•  Dosage

One dose of our product (2 capsules, 500 mg) provides 4 mg of vegetable sterols, equivalent to 3 g of fresh root.

•  Studies/research

Use of nettle root extract for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia has been studied extensively in clinical trials^{6, 7}. One of the main uses of nettle root is to relieve the symptoms of urinary disorders associated with mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (Alken stages I and II and Vahlensieck stages II and III): it reduces post-void residual urine and increases urine volume^{4, 5}. A reduction in the plasma levels of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) has also been identified⁸.
One study identified a hypotensive effect in aqueous extract of nettle root, due to the vasorelaxant effect caused by endothelial nitric oxide production and the opening of potassium channels⁹.
Nettle has also been used in Europe and North America in case of osteoarthritis. Recent research has identified that lipophilic extract is effective in reducing inflammation¹⁰.