Vasodilators relax the muscles of your blood vessels, helping them widen ( 21, 22). Stinging nettle was traditionally used to treat high blood pressure ( 21).Īnimal and test-tube studies illustrate that it may help lower blood pressure in several ways.įor one, it may stimulate nitric oxide production, which acts as a vasodilator. High blood pressure is a serious health concern because it puts you at risk of heart disease and strokes, which are among the leading causes of death worldwide ( 20). Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure ( 19). Nettle may help suppress inflammation, which in turn could aid inflammatoryĬonditions, including arthritis, but more research is needed.

That said, research is insufficient to recommend stinging nettle as an anti-inflammatory treatment. Additionally, participants felt they could reduce their dose of anti-inflammatory pain relievers because of this capsule ( 10). In another study, taking a supplement that contained stinging nettle extract significantly reduced arthritis pain.

In human studies, applying a stinging nettle cream or consuming stinging nettle products appears to relieve inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.įor instance, in one 27-person study, applying a stinging nettle cream onto arthritis-affected areas significantly reduced pain, compared to a placebo treatment ( 9). In animal and test-tube studies, stinging nettle reduced levels of multiple inflammatory markers by interfering with their production ( 7, 8).

Stinging nettle harbors a variety of compounds that may reduce inflammation. However, chronic inflammation can inflict significant harm ( 6). Inflammation is your body’s way of healing itself and fighting infections. Polyphenols and pigments - many of which also act as antioxidants inside your Nettle offers a variety of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, However, it is unlikely that the amount of stinging nettle in herbal supplements would provide significant amounts of most of these compounds. Studies indicate that stinging nettle extract can raise blood antioxidant levels ( 4, 5). Damage caused by free radicals is linked to aging, as well as cancer and other harmful diseases ( 3). What’s more, many of these nutrients act as antioxidants inside your body.Īntioxidants are molecules that help defend your cells against damage from free radicals. Quercetin, caffeic acid, coumarins and other flavonoids

Amino acids: All of the essential amino acids.

Linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid Magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium Stinging nettle’s leaves and root provide a wide variety of nutrients, including ( 1):

Nettle and bones