Stinging Nettle









Stinging Nettle


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
Some of the more common uses of stinging nettle are to decrease fluid build-up (to help increase urine output, flow), decrease blood pressure, decrease inflammation of the prostate, increase irrigation of the urinary tract, decrease nasal inflammation due to allergies, and to help with uric acid removal in individuals with gout.
How does it work?
The root and the leaf of the stinging nettle plant work in slightly different ways. The root works primarily in the prostate to decrease inflammation by affecting the actions of a specific chemical. The leaf contains many substances that have been shown to decrease inflammation, provide antihistamine actions, and reduce the levels of uric acid.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • You should have a prostate exam and laboratory studies to rule out cancer prior to using this product.
  • Do not use if you have active bleeding (for example, a bleeding ulcer). Use caution in bleeding disorders/history of bleeding. Potential interaction with medications or natural products that thin the blood, such as anticoagulants (warfarin), aspirin, antiplatelet agents (ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, ginger, vitamin E, NSAIDs (ibuprofen), and others.
  • Stop using this product 14 days prior to dental or surgical procedures.
  • You may bleed easily. Be careful to avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you know how this product affects you.
  • Use with caution if you are taking antidepressant medications.
  • Use caution if you have diabetes. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use with caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you have low blood pressure or if you are taking medicine to lower your blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this product.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • You may feel tired or sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you know how this product affects you.
  • Itching.
  • Rash.
  • Changes in blood pressure.
What should I monitor?
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • Check prothrombin time/INR. Talk with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Too tired or sleepy.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Root, leaf
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
Medications used to lower blood sugar (insulin, hypoglycemics), central nervous system (CNS) depressants, aspirin, aspirin-containing medications, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, others), antiplatelets, anticoagulants
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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