Is Getting Stung By Nettles Good For You?

General Uses. Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).

Are stings from stinging nettles good for you?

Studies suggest that it may reduce inflammation, hay fever symptoms, blood pressure and blood sugar levels — among other benefits. While fresh stinging nettle may cause irritation, cooked, dried or freeze-dried stinging nettle is generally safe to consume.

Do nettle stings boost immune system?

The good news is that nettle has been shown to increase both red and white blood cell counts, which helps to keep the blood, body and immune system functioning well. In one study using rats, nettle was found to be an immune response modulator, stimulating the proliferation of T lymphocytes in vitro.

What is the purpose of nettles sting?

The nettle’s sting is an adaptation to provide protection from predators. The sting causes any predator that may eat the plant or uproot it to stay clear.

Do nettle stings help arthritis?

There’s little evidence available on the use of nettle leaves for osteoarthritis: one study suggested a positive effect in the short-term treatment of osteoarthritis of the thumb but another found no beneficial effect in the short-term treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Is stinging nettle a blood thinner?

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood-thinners) — Stinging nettle may affect the blood’s ability to clot, and could interfere with any blood-thinning drugs you are taking, including: Warfarin (Coumadin)

How long do stinging nettle stings last?

This acid can redden the skin and cause a non-spreading rash that can last up to 24 hours. Remedies for this sting include a plant that often grows next to it called jewelweed.

What are the side effects of stinging nettle?

It might cause diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach in some people. When applied to the skin: Stinging nettle is possibly safe. Touching the stinging nettle plant can cause skin irritation.

Is stinging nettle good for kidneys?

Cautions. Avoid nettles if you have severe kidney disease, are on dialysis, or have fluid retention due to congestive heart failure. Nettles may interfere with blood pressure medication. Do not eat the raw leaves.

Who should not take nettle?

Interactions. Pregnant people should not take nettle or drink nettle tea. Due to a lack of research, children under the age of 12 years should also avoid nettle. It is important that people with existing conditions and those who take certain medications speak with a healthcare professional before trying nettle.

Are nettles poisonous?

Stinging nettle
If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash. Thankfully the symptoms usually do not persist longer than 24 hours. Interestingly, the cooked plant is safe to eat and is popular is some places as a vegetable.

What is the difference between stinging nettle and nettle?

Nettle leaf tea is derived from the leaves of the common nettle plant, also known as the stinging nettle. The scientific name for this plant is Urtica dioica. The ‘stinging’ moniker is apt, as handling the plant with exposed skin is known to produce a burning sensation that persists after contact.

Why are nettle stings so painful?

Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash.

Does nettle help hair growth?

There aren’t a lot of quality studies on stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, for hair growth, but one study showed that taking this herbal extract increased dermal papilla cell growth. These cells are part of the hair follicle and regulate hair growth.

Does stinging nettle raise blood pressure?

Low blood pressure: Stinging nettle above ground parts might lower blood pressure. In theory, stinging nettle might increase the risk of blood pressure dropping too low in people prone to low blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure, discuss stinging nettle with your healthcare provider before starting it.

How long does it take for stinging nettle to work?

If you have had a poison oak rash before, symptoms may appear 1 to 3 days after exposure. However, if you have never been in contact with the plant before, it may take 2 to 3 weeks before you experience a rash.

Does nettle increase testosterone?

Ingredients in the MIPS such as stinging nettle leaf are known for increasing the amount of free (active) testosterone by binding the testosterone inhibitor sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) [17].

How do nettles help allergies?

Allergies:Stinging nettle leaf may be useful in reducing the symptoms of hay fever by acting as an anti-inflammatory. Some research has linked treatment with stinging nettle leaf to relief of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Are stinging nettles edible?

Both Wood Nettle and Stinging Nettle are edible, nutritious plants you can find in backyards and woodlands. Wood Nettle is native to Eastern and Central North America whereas Stinging Nettle was introduced.

What acid is in a nettle sting?

formic acid
The nettle family’s needle-like hairs are hollow and loaded with toxic histamine, serotonin and formic acid capable of causing pain, itching and inflammation when a fragile silica tip pierces skin.

Does nettle tea help you sleep?

That’s not all: “Stinging nettles can cause drowsiness, so taking with sedative medications such as sleep and anti-anxiety medications should be avoided,” adds Dr. Uram. “Stinging nettle should also be avoided if taking warfarin (Coumadin), because it may alter how well the medication works.