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Celebrate – It’s Stinging Nettle Week
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) from Thomé, Flora von Deutchland, 1 Osterreich und der Schweiz 1885 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinging_nettle Celebrate the UK’s ‘Be Nice to Nettles Week’ (See National Events).2 The Natural History Museum, London, is holding a special event ‘Nettle Day’ on the 27th May to cover all aspects of these often disregarded valuable plants.3 There will be an introduction to the ‘nettle’ family, followed by fascinating nettle talks about the plant in traditional medicine and folklore in the morning. In the afternoon, there are demonstrations in the Museum’s Wildlife Garden on nettles as food, (nettle-based food will be available), with nettles as dye used in crafts and their role in biodiversity, as well as a display of specimens of the nettle family in the Museum’s Herbarium. So, whether one wants to partake of a wide variety of the nettles’ products or indulge in a scholarly feast of nettles, there really is something of interest going on in ‘Be Nice to Nettles Week’ for everyone. Anyone for Nettle Beer? For the stout-hearted, at ‘The Bottle Inn’ on the North West edge of the Marshwood Vale in Dorset, an area of natural beauty, there’s an interesting Nettle festival. It hosted the 9th Annual National Nettle Eating competition last year and featured on TV BBC I’s Countryfile programme with Ben Fogle doing his bit in the eating raw nettles competition. It appeared to be lots of fun. “The World Stinging Nettle Eating Championships and Beer Festival 2006” will be held there with food and drink, and other entertainments for the family on 17th and 18th June. If you should miss any of the 2006 celebrations of the nettle, why not make a note of it in your diary-end for next year. Taking the Sting out of Nettles Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica L.) are an international plant, they are native to Europe, Asia, Northern Africa and North America, but sister species can be found in most places of the northern and southern hemispheres. The stinging nettle may have a short history in your lifetime with a long memory, if ever you’ve brushed up against them. Forgetting the pain of falling headlong into a bed of stinging nettles at the age of nine, it may be that rheumatism may bypass me to a welcome degree. For it is known from folklore and more recent researched experiences that ‘a roll in the nettles’, albeit inadvertently, rid at least one elderly family friend of his rheumatics for good and all. So what is the cause of nettles, (a member of the rose family), generating such acute pain when bare skin makes contact with the plant? The contact breaks the delicate defensive hairs that release a trio of chemicals, which usually results in a temporary painful skin rash. Both the leaves and the stems are covered with brittle, hollow, silky hairs that until 1997 (Elliott) were thought to contain formic acid a natural defence ‘plant-guard’ against being grazed upon by animals, which feels a bit like being stung by ants.5 Recent research reveals the cause of the sting to be from three chemicals: a histamine6 to irritate the skin, acetylcholine7 to cause a burning sensation and hydroxytryptamine8 to encourage the action of the other two chemicals. From childhood one was taught to use the folk remedy to assuage the burn of the sting by grabbing the nearest dock leaf (Rumex obtusifolia), which grows side-by-side with nettles, and squeezing its juice on the affected burning area. It has been said this is not very effective, but from personal experience it all depends on the severity of the sting and, one might hazard, the individual’s skin-type stung. It therefore comes as no surprise that the nettle takes the first part of its genus name Urtica from the Latin verb urere, i.e. uro “I burn.” Its species name dioica means “two houses”, which is said refer to the plant usually having either male or female flowers and also because it habitually grows between human dwellings. On the ‘fun’ side of the meaning of ‘to grasp the nettle’, it was reported that ‘Nettles win football match’ by Louise Taylor in the “The Times”. It was used as an analogy by Sunderland’s Mick McCarthy’s predecessor who demonstrated with ‘a bag of nettles’ the difference between picking a nettle slowly so that it stings unmercifully versus the age-old strategy of grasping nettles swiftly and firmly to avoid being stung, which advice is said to have culminated in a Sunderland 2-1 win against Liverpool. A bit of ‘raw nettle treatment’ might betimes make a difference to the attention footballers pay to their onslaught upon their adversaries – well, so long as the ‘nettling’ doesn’t result in a Red Card! Nettle Herbal & Food Medicine “Out of this nettle, danger, we grasp this flower, safety.” William Shakespeare - King Henry the Fourth, Part I (Hotspur at II, iii). 9
Detail of Flowering stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), near Bruges, Belgium Photographer: Donar Reiskoffer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinging_nettle
Nettle Herb Ancient & Modern As with so many of our hitherto neglected herbal medicines that now attract the science community for investigation, Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) was known and well used by the ancients. The remarkable Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides (c.40-90 AD),9A who travelled and sought medicinal substances from all over the Roman and Greek world used it. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (c.23-79 AD) reported haemostatic properties of the nettle. Between Dioscorides and the Greek physician Galen (Claudius Galenus of Pergamum c. 129-200 AD), whose views dominated European medicine for over a thousand years, accounts were given of nettle leaf as a diuretic and laxative, and also used it for asthma, pleurisy, and treatment of spleen-related illness.10 Our wonderful common stinging nettle is employed by many different herbal medicine disciplines throughout the world. For example, the Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia catalogues stinging nettle in combination with other herbs for uterine haemorrhage, infantile and psychogenic eczema, cutaneous eruptions and nosebleed.11 It is also used in syrup or tincture form to treat urticaria12 (nettle rash).13 The nettle has diverse and much travelled power. In the colder climes of the west, professional daffodil-pickers have found nettle tea a good treatment for the rash sometimes provoked by handling daffodils.14 In the southern hemisphere, in traditional African medicine the powdered herb is used as a ‘snuff’ for nosebleeds, as well as to treat internal bleeding and excessive menstruation.15 Harking back to earliest use in the northern hemisphere, the herb is also widely applied in North American native medicines. It is used for gynaecological purposes by women of the Cowlitz, Cree, Kwakiutl, Lummi, Qinault, and Squaxin nations.16 The plant juice is taken by pregnant women who are overdue, the tips of the plant chewed by women in labour and taken as an infusion during childbirth to relax muscles.17 The Hesquiat, Sanpoil, Shuswap, and Taionarna nations use the herb as an anti-rheumatic drug.18 The wisdom of the ancients and aboriginal medicinal use of nettles percolate down the centuries through to modern-day usage. Stinging nettle herb is used in the USA as an ingredient of an extensive selection of dietary supplements. It is also used in traditional women’s tonic formulas, during and following birth, as well as in the lactation period. Plus naturopathic doctors and licensed acupuncturists use it as a constituent in formulas for treating hay-fever and other allergies.19 It has been said that freeze-dried nettle eliminates hay-fever in one third of the people who take it in capsule form. On our nettle journey around the world, back to Europe, in Germany, stinging nettle is licensed as a medicinal tea for diuretic action and it is also a component of prepared medicines used for support of the lower urinary tract. German homoeopaths use it for anti-inflammatory treatments of urticaria, herpes, eczema, hypersensitive reactions in the skin and joints, and for burns.20 All in all, the use of the stinging nettle has changed little over the millennia. When it comes to the crippling painful disease of arthritis, 21 for which modern medicine has not identified a specific cause or cure, scientific investigations of stinging nettles have made a good showing. Probably the stinging nettle’s most famous medicinal use is for treating arthritis. The sting seems to stimulate blood flow to the affected areas when locally applied. Naturopathic, Homoeopathic, Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic, as well as Arabic (Unani) medical disciplines all have treatments if not cures for arthritis and rheumatics. In the past, nettle bath treatments were traditionally considered an effective remedy against rheumatism and gout, as well as arthritis, and were prescribed by the doctors to improve patients’ pain and suffering.22 Arthritis rages and ranges around the globe, e.g. one in three adult Americans suffer from some form of arthritis and the disease affects about twice as many women as men.23 Nettles have been in the arthritic picture since the early days of scientific research. Modern science suggests there may be an element of pre-disposition in the genes to arthritis that in 1991 gave rise to American researchers’ hypothesis on rheumatoid arthritis, which is prevalent in a Native American tribe, the Yakima Indians. A rare (HLA-Dw16) gene was identified in 83% of Yakima patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in 60% of the Yakima control subjects. 24 The current use of the folk tradition in Europe of applying nettle leaves topically was reported in 1994 in a letter to the British Journal of General Practice. An English physician in Cornwall described two cases of pain relief of osteopathic arthritis of the hip with the external application of fresh stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves. “A fit 81-year-old man diagnosed with osteoarthritis and joint space narrowing after complaining of pain in his hip joint was prescribed Ibuprofen (painkillers, recently found to increase the risk of heart attack). Two and a half months later, the man reported that although the prescribed tablets had not been helpful, applications of stinging nettle leaves to his hip region had brought him relief. After the initial improvement to the point of almost being free of pain, he found that he only needed to apply the leaves every few days, and he was once again able to ride his bicycle and stand on either leg with no pain.” “ … An elderly woman also had been able to relieve the pain of her swollen, inflamed fingers with nettle leaf – ‘red nettles, were better than the green ones’.” The proof of nettles’ ability to ameliorate arthritic pain was now in the nettle pudding – an excellent dish! 25 Later, extracts from the leaves of stinging nettles, already being used as remedies in rheumatoid arthritis, were further researched and their use as an anti-rheumatic confirmed.26 For example, UK research found nettle treatment useful to base-of-thumb pain in 2000.27 Although the Romans treated rheumatic conditions by flaying their joints with fresh nettles to stimulate blood circulation, and it is proven as a treatment, it is not being recommended to exert painful self-flagellation with nettles for any but the tough and determined, but rather the conventional use of the herb. In 2001, in a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of herbal medicines in the treatment of osteoarthritis it was conceded and it was concluded that: “Some herbal medicines may offer a much-needed alternative for patients with osteoarthritis.28 By 2002, German researchers were looking at a new nettle anti-rheumatic remedy ‘Hox alpha’ as a promising remedy for therapy of inflammatory joint diseases.29 However, stinging nettles’ modern prowess does not end there. The root is also used in the symptomatic treatment of micturition30 disorders such as nocutria, 31 urine retention and in benign prostatic hyperplasia. (BHP) 32 There has been much scientific activity regarding stinging nettles and BPH since the 1990s. In 2000, a combined treatment with sabal (Saw palmetto: Seronoa repens) with nettle extract was compared with Finiasteride33 in men with BPH and not found wanting.34 Russian researchers using the same combined extract in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-centre trial for lower urinary tract symptoms. They found the herbal remedy’s tolerability excellent and advantageous in obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms in patients with moderate and severe symptoms.35 Come 2005, it was found that the Sabal-Urtica remedy, over a study period of 24 weeks, resulted in the micturition symptoms i.e. frequency and urgency were improved, plus the patients’ quality of life was also significantly better. It was concluded that the often distressing symptoms of BPH can be effectively ameliorated after only a few weeks of treatment with the preparation, which is good news for those patients who suffer with the stigmatizing symptoms of urinary urgency and frequency that BPH can produce.36 This is but a ‘taster’ of the vast volume of stinging nettles research that has been quietly going on in the past two decades. It has been investigated for a raft of various conditions and diseases, including myocaridal37 or chronic venous insufficiency &c.37 Nettles have received official recognition for their medicinal use: the EU’s Commission E approved the internal use of nettle root for difficulty in urination and in benign prostatic hyperplasic stages 1 and 2.38 The European Scientific Co-operative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) indicates its use for symptomatic treatment of micturition disorders, nocturia, pollakisuria (frequent urination), dysuria (painful urination), or urine retention in BPH stages 1 and 2.39 The French allow two uses of nettle root: as an adjunctive treatment for the bladder outlet obstruction symptoms of prostatic origin, and to enhance the renal elimination of water.40 It is also used as a diuretic for conditions of dropsy and for early stages of prostates.41 In African medicine it is used to treat diarrhoea and as an anthelmintic to expel worms.42 Small wonder then, however lacking in fanfare the stinging nettle’s reputation may be, in 1993-1994 it ranked 4th of the “Most Important” herbs by Western Medical Herbalists.43
Nettle Herb Food Medicine
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica subsp. Dioica) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinging_nettle Nettle is however not a male preserve; it is often seen as an aid to women’s menstrual problems and menopause, because of the effects of its vitamins and minerals content. It is rich in iron and vitamin C, making it a useful remedy for anaemia and other debilitated states. The presence of vitamin C ensures that the iron can be bodily absorbed. Some post-menopausal women have reported stinging nettle is so nourishing and energizing they find themselves unexpectedly having a normal menstrual flow after using it regularly!43A. Nettles are a renowned spring tonic and a good source of chlorophyll.43B Research on health benefits of chlorophyll has focused on the area of cancer (including treatment and prevention). It was found that damage to the genes’ DNA by carcinogenic substances (aflatoxins43C) could be prevented by chlorphyllin, a derivative of chlorophyll. Studies in humans found that damage to DNA by aflatoxin can be decreased as much as 55% through supplementation with chlorophyllin in about the same amount of chlorophyll found in an ounce of spinach (a little over half a cup of chopped raw spinach). Research is still in its early stages; prevention and treatment of liver cancer,43D skin cancer43E and colon cancer43F are being investigated in relation to intake of chlorophyll-containing vegetables. Nettles are full of chlorophyll, the green stuff is said to be very similar in chemical composition to haemoglobin, so eat your greens and put wildfood ‘nettle greens’ firmly on your anti-carcinogenic menu! Last year, in animals at least, Hungarian researchers found nettle to be an effective antioxidant and possible anti-apoptotic44A (anti-cell death) supplement, which together with strenuous exercise, may play a role in the processes, promoting cell survival in the brain, which is important after brain injury.44 Previously it had been found that weedy vegetables, including nettle (Urtica dioica) may be useful antioxidants of interest in the prevention of ageing related diseases, CNS disorders and as potential sources of phytomedicines against hyperuricaemia45 and gout.45A Do not think of nettle as a poor ‘famine food’, it is a superior tonic that promotes overall health and strengthens the immune system. As a general health and menopausal aid, nettles’ contain: vitamins B1 (Thiamine) maintains appetite and growth; B2 (Riboflavin) prevents skin lesions, maintains healthy skin, less cancer; B complex factor (Niacin) essential for the normal function of the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract; B complex factor (Folic acid) essential for cell growth and reproduction; vitamin E (Tocopherols) a fat-soluble vitamin essential for normal reproduction and an important anti-carcinogenic antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body, making for fewer wrinkles and many other benefits; antioxidant pro-vitamin A carotenes and fat-soluble vitamin K (Phylloquinone), which helps blood clotting,46 is necessary for proper bone growth, (it is involved in the building of a protein in the bones). It is used to treat overdoses of Warfarin and to prevent excessive bleeding. Only a small amount is needed from foods (nettles) and it is manufactured by intestinal bacteria and is important in certain energy transfer reactions. Nettles also have a strong compliment of minerals and contain one of the highest sources of plant-digestible iron and are also high in calcium; they also contain: boron, chromium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc. Nettles also have useful bioflavonoids with immuno-stimulatory activity.47 Nettles are good for you, so eat them! ‘Tis the season to be jolly well picking nettles. Celebrate Nettle week with some friends and astonish them with a sophisticated French Nettle soup starter, ‘Soupe aux Orties’49 or try celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s ‘Nettle Soup’50, or if you are feeling up county, ‘Lady Ridley’s Nettle Soup’51 recipe. How’s about following that with Italian Armando Percuoco’s ‘Risotto with Nettles and porcini mushrooms’.52 Go oriental with a basic prawn curry with nettles instead of spinach or add a side dish to a curry of ‘Nettle Aloo’53 or an entrée of ‘Nettles and Smoked Fish Sauce’. 54 You might like to be old-fashioned and go for a recipe given by Mrs. Grieves, who assures us that the great Diarist Samuel Pepys made a nice note of ‘Nettle Pudding’,55 February, 1661; “We did eat some Nettle porridge, which was very good.” A good introduction to eating nettles for those plain keen on their greens, is Chechnyan ‘Creamed or Puréed Nettles’,56 a simple choice. Oh! And don’t forget to serve UK Cornish light, creamy, mould-ripened ‘Yarg cheese’,57 at the end of a meal, whose unique character and taste result from being wrapped in nettle leaves. If you are feeling thirsty, Mrs Grieves also gives a recipe for the ‘Nettle Beer’58 made by cottagers who gave it to their elderly as a remedy for gouty and rheumatic pains, but was also a pleasant drink. However, you can also use a more modern recipe for ‘Nettle Beer’.59 If you are after something with more of a kick, then you could make red-brown coloured ‘Stinging Nettle Schnapps’,60 which is based on fresh, young nettle leaves and stems and is described as having a pleasant bitter, aromatic characteristic taste. It’s an excellent appetizer or after-dinner drink and is served with pork, beef, smoked fish, vegetables, salads, and dishes with rice, mushrooms or pasta. It may also be added to tea, soups, sauces, stews or any other dish where nettles are used. As the footballing fraternity would say, ‘Come on you cooks!’ get nettling. Nettle recipes abound world-wide and if you think that holding a Nettle Festival is typically eccentric English, think again! A small village ‘La Sauvetat de Savères’61 in the Lot-et-Garonne region, also has an annual quirky Nettle Festival where you can taste nettle liqueur, nettle soup, meat with nettle sauce and a sweet nettle sauce with dessert. Typically French, in c.2003, there was of course a Fashion Show including a bride’s gown covered in nettles – well, made out of material, not the real thing. Nettle’s Various Other Uses By now, as you will have realized, the portfolio of the Stinging Nettle is vast and it is not possible to cover every aspect of the plant’s varieties of use in less than a voluminous book. Nettles were not only an ancient and famine food that became a pot-herb, but are also used as cattle fodder – cows seem to find picked nettles a delicacy. Nettle has been and still is used as a dye. A nettle decoction delivers a permanent green dye, which like spinach can even be used in foodstuffs such as pasta; note well cooks, this is another avenue of nettle cuisine approach! The beautiful green dye was used for woollen stuffs in Russia62 and is still used by organic dyers today. The roots, boiled with alum, produce a yellow colour, which maybe used to dye yarn.63 Those who are familiar with natural dyes will know the softness of beautiful hues of the colours of organic dyes that are far superior to any synthetic colours man has ever invented. The yellow dye is also used by Russians to stain eggs yellow on Maundy Thursday.64 Nettles were used for various cloths and materials. Their stems contain a bast fibre65 that has been used traditionally for the same purposes as linen, which is produced by a similar retting66 process. This strong tensile feature of nettles led to its use for ropes, yarn, thread and paper. Another feature of the nettle is that it grows fast enough to be harvested more than once a year. (“Nettle, Stinging”, Interactive European Network for Industrial Crops and their Applications. 2002).67 If you think that wearing cloth made from stinging nettles is ‘far out’, next time you look at the label of your clothes look for ‘Ramie’68 made from a plant in the nettle family that often resembles linen or silk and is usually blended with cotton or wool. It is also used to make nets, ropes, etc. and is very close cousin to our native stinging nettles. We may yet see Nettle Fashion on the Cat-walk! It is well-known that nettle applied externally is used for skin afflictions, such as eczema, but the more familiar use of nettle in the High Street can be found in toiletries in the form of shampoos. Externally, nettles have been used to improve the appearance of hair and is said to be a remedy against oily hair and dandruff. While no clinical studies have been conducted yet on the use of nettle in treating DHT-related hair-loss and male pattern balding, research does indicate that nettle root can prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT.69 A U.S. patent has recently been filed on an herbal combination containing ‘nettle root’ for the treatment of male pattern baldness. More research will surely follow as the remedial cosmetic industry is a highly popular and profitable arena for this kind of product.70 The nettle plant is a wonderful gift we should value and, no doubt, ere long it will come up with further surprises – if the scientific community decide to look for them. COMMENT Caution: In a few individuals, exposure to histamine present in fresh nettles can produce extreme adverse effects, but in the dried or cooked state clean nettles are completely non-toxic and can be eaten as a vegetable or used in herbal liquid form.1` No side-effects are generally known, but occasionally use of the herb may cause mild gastrointestinal upsets in some individuals.2 Nettles contain more iron than spinach and are best eaten when young in terms of quality and nutrition in the spring. But, because when cut down they quickly produce new re-growth, young nettles are available most the year round. Yet, as the nettle plant matures the iron content increases to a point where eating them in quantity may cease to be beneficial and become detrimental with potential to cause kidney damage and symptoms of toxicity There are potential contraindications such as in diabetics, nettle may elevate blood sugar levels, [Roman Ramos R, et al. ‘Hypoglycaemic effect of plants used in Mexico as anti-diabetics’ Arch Med Res. 1992: 23(1):59-64]; some people may have an allergy to nettles, and fluid retention from reduced cardiac or kidney function have been mentioned. Although dried nettle or nettle extract is widely used as a nourishing tonic for pregnant women and may help to increase milk production in lactating women, the fresh nettle has uterine stimulant action and is therefore contraindicated in pregnancy. Nettle may also enhance the effects of Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug, used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis i.e. arthritis of the spine. References: 1. Picture: Original book source: Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany. 2. ‘Be Nice to Nettles Week’ UK Events - http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/events.asp 3. ‘Nettle Day’ 27th May Natural History Museum, London, UK – http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/events/index.jsp?featurePeriod=search&category=&catID=&audience=&event=Nettle+Day&x=14&y=10 4. World Stinging Nettle Eating Championships and Beer Festival 2006: Saturday, 17th June 30 West Country Cask Ales, BBQ and Hog Roast All Day, Bouncy Castle and Children’s Entertainment, Live Folk Music in the Garden form lunchtime on. Sunday 18th June, Live Music, (Food and Drink similar), Novelty Fancy Dress Nettle Eating Team Event &c. http://thebottleinn.co.uk/index.html 5. Formic acid: “As early as the 15th-century, some alchemists and naturalists were aware that ant hills gave off an acidic vapour. The first person to describe the isolation of this substance as the English naturalist John Ray, in 1671. Ants secrete the formic acid for attack and defence purposes. 6. Histamine: Amine formed from histidine that stimulates gastric secretions and dilates blood vessels; released by the human immune system during allergic reactions. Amine: A compound derived form ammonia. 7. Acetylcholine: a chemical compound, the first neurotransmitter to be identified, which transmits in both the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) in many organisms, including humans. 8. Hydroxytryptamine: (e.g. Serotonin: a hormone, also called 5-hydroxytryptamine, in the pineal gland, blood platelets, the digestive tract, and the brain. Serotonin acts both as a chemical messenger that transmits nerve signals between nerve cells and that causes blood vessels to narrow.). 9. Quote: William Shakespeare (1564-1616), English dramatist, playwright and poet - King Henry the Fourth, Part I (Hotspur at II, iii). 9A. Pedanius Dioscorides (c.40-90 AD): Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist and army surgeon, who practised in Rome at the times of the Emperor Nero, and who’s De Materia Medica, the precursor to all modern pharmacopoeias, was in use until about 1600 AD. 10. Stinging Nettle Root – Fully referenced. http://herbalgram.org/ogdenpress/ExpandedCommissionE/he093.asp#Overview#Overview 11. Ibid. 12. Urticaria: An itchy skin eruption characterized by wheals with pale interiors and well-defined red margins; usually the result of an allergic response to insect bites or food or drugs. 13. Stinging Nettle Root - http://herbalgram.org/ogdenpress/ExpandedCommissionE/he093.asp#Overview#Overview 14. Grasping the Nettle – The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol. 269 NO. 7218 p.506, 5th October 2002 - http://www.pjonline.com/Editorial/20021005/comment/onlooker.html 15. Stinging Nettle Root - http://herbalgram.org/ogdenpress/ExpandedCommissionE/he093.asp#Overview#Overview 16. Ibid. 17. Ibid. 18. Ibid. 19. Ibid. 20. Ibid 21. Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint or joints. A group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body. Arthritic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases; septic arthritis, caused by joint infection. And the more common osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. 22. Note: http://floraleads.net/nettle/ 23. Arthritis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis 24. ’ Association of HLA-Dw16 with rheumatoid arthritis in Yakima Indians. Further evidence for the "shared epitope" hypothesis.’ Willkens RF, et al. Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104. Arthritis Rheum. 1991 Jan; 34(1):43-7. 25. ‘Stinging Nettle Reportedly Reduces Hip Pain – http://www.herbalgram.org/iherb/herbclip/review.asp?i=41872 ‘Stinging nettles for osteoarthritis pain of the hip’ Randall, CF. British Journal of General Practice. November 1994; 533-4. 26. ‘Plant extracts from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), an antirheumatic remedy, inhibit the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB.’ Riehemann K, et al. Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Clinics, University of Tubingen, Germany. FEBS Lett. 1999 Jan 8; 442(1):89-94. 27. ‘Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain.’ Randall C, et al. Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, Plymouth Postgraduate Medical School, University of Plymouth, Devon, UK. J R Soc. Med. 2000 Jun; 93(6):305-9. 28. ‘Herbal medicines for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review.’ L. Long, K. Soeken and E. Ernst. Dept of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Studies, Uv. of Exeter, UK and Uv. of Maryland School of Medicine, Complementary Medicine Program, Kernan Hospital Mansion, Baltimore, USA. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2001; 40:779-793. http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/40/7/779 29. ‘Effects of the antirheumatic remedy hox alpha--a new stinging nettle leaf extract--on matrix metalloproteinases in human chondrocytes in vitro.’ Schulze-Tanzil et al. Institute of Anatomy, Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany. Histol Histopathol. 2002 Apr; 17(2):477-85. ‘Evidence for antirheumatic effectiveness of Herba Urticae dioica in acute arthritis: A pilot study.’ Chrubasik, S., W. Enderlein, R. Bauer, W. Grabner. 1997 Phytomed 4(2):105–108. 30. Micturition: The discharge of urine. 31. Nocturia: Excessive urination at night; especially common in older men. 32. Prostatic hyperplasia: Enlargement or overgrowth of the prostate gland as a result of an increase in the number of its constituent cells. 33. Finasteride: A drug used to treat BPH, blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is necessary to change testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate to grow. As a result, the size of the prostate is decreased, but the effect of Finasteride on the prostate lasts only as long as the medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again. Finasteride also is used by some balding men to stimulate hair growth. If hair grown is going to occur with the use of Finasteride, it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for about 3 months and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. The new hair will be lost within 1 year after Finasteride treatment is stopped. Women of childbearing potential should not use or handle crushed Finasteride tablets. Finasteride can cause birth defects in male foetuses. 34. ‘Combined sabal and urtica extract compared with Finasteride in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: analysis of prostate volume and therapeutic outcome.’ Sokeland J. Urological Clinic of Dortmund, Training Hospital of the University of Munster, Germany. B J U Int. 2000 Sep; 86(4):439-42. 35. ‘Long-term efficacy and safety of a combination of sabal and urtica extract for lower urinary tract symptoms--a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial.’ Lopatkin N, et al. Institute of Urology, 3rd Parkovaya Street 51, 105425 Moscow, Russia. World J Urol. 2005 Jun; 23(2):139-46. Epub 2005 Jun 1. 36. [Efficacy of a combined sabal-urtica preparation in the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.] Results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study]. [Article in German] Pop G, et al. Facharzt fur Urologie, Ludwigshafen. MMW Fotscher Med. 2005 Oct 6; 147 Suppl 3:103-8. 37. Myocardial: relating to or affecting the thick muscular wall of the heart. Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A condition which the veins do not channel the flow of blood adequately. Most often this condition is seen in the veins of the lower extremities. 38. Stinging Nettle Root - http://herbalgram.org/ogdenpress/ExpandedCommissionE/he093.asp#Overview#Overview 39. Ibid. 40. Ibid. 41. Ibid. 42. Ibid. 43. Top Herbs in Western Medical Herbal Practice – a list of herbs was compiled from a year-long survey of readers of Medical Herbalism – A Clinical Newsletter for the Herbal Practitioner, between Springs 1993-1994. http://www.unani.com/botanicals.htm 43A. Stinging Nettle - http://www.synergy-health.co.uk/articles/herbalallies220041216.html 43B. Chlorophyll: A green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from ancient Greek: Chloros meaning ‘green’ and phyllon ‘leaf. Information on Chlorophyll: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=52 43C. Aflatoxin: A potent carcinogen from the fungus Aspergillus; can be produced and stored for use as a bioweapon. 43D. ’Chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in aflatoxin endemic areas.’ Kensler TW, et al. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. Gastroenterology 2004 Nov; 127(5 Suppl 1):S310-8. 43E. ‘Anti-promotion effect of chlorophyllin in DMBA-TPA-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis.’ Kim J, et al. Department of Oral Pathology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea. Anticancer Res. 2000 May-Jun; 20(3A):1493-8. 43F. ‘Natural chlorophyll but not chlorophyllin prevents heme-induced cytotoxic and hyperproliferative effects in rat colon.’ De Vogel J, et al. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences (WCFS), Nutrition and Health Programme, The Netherlands. J Nutr. 2005 Aug; 135(8):1995-2000. 44. ’ The effect of exercise and nettle supplementation on oxidative stress markers in the rat brain.’ Toldy A, et al. Research Institute for Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Semmelweis University, Alkotas u. 44, 1234 Budapest, Hungary. Brain Res Bull. 2005 May 30; 65(6):487-93. Epub 2005 Mar 31. ‘ In vitro antioxidant activity of non-cultivated vegetables of ethnic Albanians in southern Italy.’ Pieroni A, et al. Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, UK. Phytother Res. 2002 Aug; 16(5):467-73. ‘Effects of Nigella sativa L. and Urtica dioica L. on selected mineral status and hematological values in CC14-treated rats.’ Meral I, Kanter M. Fizyoloji Anabilim Dali, Veteriner Fakultesi, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi, Kampus, Van, Turkey. Biol Tace Elem Res. 2003 Winter; 96(1-3):263-70. 44A. Apoptosis: A type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinery to kill itself. 45. Hyperuricaemia: elevated uric acid level in the bloodstream. Can be seen in association with chemotherapy. Hyperuricaemia is considered a risk factor for the development of gout and may lead to renal disease. Also called uric acidaemia and previously known as lithaemia. 45A. Gout: A painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints. 46. Vitamin K - NB: Apart from being used for excessive bleeding in people taking Warfarin who require surgery, Vitamin K supplements may prevent or correct deficiencies caused by, or be helpful with atherosclerosis, capillary fragility (bruising), Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis, and ulcerative colitis. There are no known side effects or interactions; however, Menadione, the synthetic form, is somewhat toxic in large amounts. http://www.herbalremedies.com/vitamin-k-informatoin.html 47. ‘Inhibition of Rat Platelet Aggregation by Urtica dioica Leaves Extracts.’ El Haouari M, et al. Laboratoire de Physiologie et Ethnopharmacologie, UFR 'Physiologie et Pharmacologie', Departement de biologie, Faculte des sciences, Universite Mohamed Premier, BP 717, 60000 Oujda, Morocco. Phyto Res. 2006 Apr 18; [Epub ahead of print] 48. ‘In vitro immunomodulatory activity of flavonoid glycosides from Urtica dioica L.’ Akbay P, et al. Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, 06100 Sinhiye, Ankara, Turkey. Phytother Res. 2003 Jan; 17(1):34-7. 49. Nettle soups: French ‘Soupe aux Orties’ http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2006/04/soupe_aux_orties.php 50. Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s Nettle soup: : http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/food/nettles.shtml 51. ‘Lady Ridley’s Nettle Soup’ - http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/activities/nettlesoup.asp 52. ‘Risotto with Nettles and Porcini mushrooms’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/risottowithnettlesan_10293.shtml 53. Nettle Aloo & Smoked Fish Sauce - http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:qVllwfoWA10J:www.countrylovers.co.uk/wildfoodjj/nettle.pdf+Nettle+pudding+recipe&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=3 54. Nettles with Spring Onion and Cottage Cheese - http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?Ing=eng§ion=kitcheneng&row=9 55. Nettle Pudding: Mrs Grieve’s Modern Herbal http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nettle03.html#lesrecpud 56. Creamed or Puréed Nettles - http://www.ruralvermont.com/vermontweathervane/issues/spring/98005/nettle.shtml 57. Cornish Yarg cheese: http://www.lobbsfarmshop.com/ShowDetails.asp?id=1772 58. Nettle Beer: Mrs Grieve’s Modern Herbal http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nettle03.html#lesrecpud 59. Nettle Beer: http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=nettle%20beer 60. Stinging Nettle Schnapps – http://www.danish-schnapps-recipes.com/stinging-nettle-schnapps.html 61. Nettle Festival France - http://www.vefuk.com/sections_fs.aspx?currentsection=7&subsection=newsarticle&intNewsArticleID=2827 62. Nettles (and their various uses) – Mrs Grieve’s Modern Herbal http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nettle03.html 63. Ibid. 64. Ibid. 65. Bast fibre or skin fibre: is fibre collected form the skin or bast surrounding the stem of a plant. These fibres have higher tensile strength than other kinds, and are therefore used for ropes, yarn, paper, and burlap (a densely woven fabric, usually made of just and allied vegetables fibres.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bast_fibre 66. Retting: A stage in the manufacturing of vegetable fibres, especially the bast fibres. It is the process of submerging plant stems such as flax, just, hemp, or kenaf in water, and soaking them for a period of time to loosen the fibres from the other components of the stem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bast_fibre 67. ‘What was Nettle Cloth?’ by Chelsea Vandeveer, 10th June 2003. http://www.killerplants.com/plants-that-changed-history/20030610.asp 68. Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is a flowering plant in the nettle family, native to eastern Asia., but unlike nettles doesn’t sting. It is also called Chinese silk plant, Chinese grass or rhea. 69. Nettles – Hair loss: http://www.rain-tree.com/nettles.htm 70. Ibid.
COMMENT Ref: 1. Nettles - http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/nettle.htm 2. Side effects: Stinging Nettle Root - http://herbalgram.org/ogdenpress/ExpandedCommissionE/he093.asp#Overview#Overview
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