Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is a flowering plant native to Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa that now grows across much of the world. Its most familiar feature is the sting: the leaves and stems are covered in fine hollow hairs called trichomes that break on contact and act like tiny needles, injecting a mix of irritant chemicals including histamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. This produces a temporary burning, stinging rash that usually fades within minutes to a few hours.

Despite the sting, the plant has a long history as food and medicine. Soaking or cooking the young leaves destroys the stinging chemicals and leaves a nutritious green that is high in protein for a leafy vegetable and rich in minerals; it is a traditional ingredient in soups across northern and eastern Europe. In folk medicine nettle has been used for centuries, appearing in remedies from the Anglo-Saxon era onward, and it remains a popular herbal supplement today.

In modern herbal use, the most studied application is for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, the noncancerous enlargement of the prostate common in older men, for which the root extract is used ^[3]. Randomized controlled trials have reported improvements in urinary symptoms and flow with nettle compared with placebo ^[1][4]. Reviews of prostate phytotherapy place nettle alongside other plant extracts such as saw palmetto and Pygeum, noting that some trials show benefit for mild-to-moderate symptoms while stronger, longer studies are still needed ^[2][3]. Nettle leaf is also used traditionally for hay fever and for joint pain, though evidence for these uses is weaker.

Stinging nettle preparations are sold as herbal supplements and teas, and their regulatory standing varies: in parts of Europe standardized extracts are prescribed and reimbursed for prostate symptoms, whereas in the United States they are classified simply as dietary supplements ^[3]. In the amounts used it is generally well tolerated, with only mild side effects such as occasional stomach upset reported in trials ^[1]. The main hazard of the raw plant is the skin sting from handling it, which is unpleasant but self-limited.

Nettle is well tolerated, with occasional mild stomach upset, sweating, or a skin rash. Fresh plants sting on contact, but dried or cooked preparations don't. Because it can have mild diuretic effects and may affect blood sugar and blood pressure, people on related medications should keep an eye out, and it's generally avoided in pregnancy.