Pharmacognosy · Anti-inflammatory & Diuretic · Urticaceae

Nettle

Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) — a widespread stinging perennial once considered a medieval panacea, whose leaf and root have distinct, largely separate pharmacological profiles. Leaf extracts inhibit the arachidonic acid cascade for broad anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, while root lectins and lignans act specifically on prostate tissue — two different plants sharing the same stem.

49 Primary Refs
8 Properties
Leaf/Root Parts Used
✦ Researched
Last Updated August 12, 2026
Primary Source Wikiphyto · NCBI PubMed · J Herb Pharmacother
Family Urticaceae
French Pharmacopoeia List A · Urticaceae

Biological Overview

Urtica dioica is a well-known, invasive perennial herb, 60–120 cm tall, with opposite, acuminate leaves covered in stinging, bristly hairs. The tip of each hard, conical hair breaks on contact and injects the stinging substances it contains. Nettles are cosmopolitan "weeds," nitrophilic and ruderal, very common around dwellings, rubble, and ditches.

HabitInvasive Perennial, 60–120cm
Native RangeCosmopolitan
UDA Lectin Content~0.1% (root)
Regulatory StatusFr. Pharmacopoeia List A
Botanical Classification

Taxonomy & Identification

Latin Name
Urtica dioica L.
Related Species
Urtica urens L. (dwarf/annual nettle)
Family
Urticaceae
Common Names
Nettle, Stinging Nettle, Ortie
Parts Used
Leaves and yellowish roots (long branched rhizomes)
Origin
Cosmopolitan; common near dwellings, rubble, ditches
Ethnobotany & Traditional Use

History & Tradition

Nettle was considered a panacea in the Middle Ages, valued especially for treating hemorrhages. Its reach across traditional herbalism was broad, reflecting the plant's genuine phytochemical diversity.

Nettles are notably "animic" plants, in that they synthesize substances typically associated with the animal kingdom — histamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine — concentrated in their stinging hairs.

Modern research has clarified that nettle's leaf and root work through largely separate mechanisms: the leaf's broad anti-inflammatory and diuretic profile versus the root's specific antiproliferative activity on prostate tissue — a distinction not obvious from folk use alone.

⚠ Don't Confuse With "White Nettle"

True stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is often confused by name with "white nettle" or white dead-nettle (Lamium album) — an entirely unrelated plant in the mint family, with different constituents and different traditional uses.

Timeline

Medieval Panacea Status

Medieval

Considered a panacea, especially valued for treating hemorrhages.

Recognition as an "Animic" Plant

Traditional

Noted for synthesizing substances typical of the animal kingdom — histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine — found in its stinging hairs.

Root vs Leaf Differentiation

20th Century

Research distinguished the leaf's broad anti-inflammatory and diuretic profile from the root's specific, antiproliferative, prostate-focused activity.

Modern Prostate & Joint Research

Late 20th Century–Present

Randomized controlled trials established root extract for benign prostatic hyperplasia and leaf extract for rheumatic joint pain, alongside French Pharmacopoeia listing. 832

The Key Compound

UDA (Urtica Dioica Agglutinin) — Deep Dive

The distinctive root lectin behind nettle's specific, non-hormonal action on prostate tissue.

🧬

A Unique Plant Lectin

UDA (Urtica Dioica Agglutinin) makes up roughly 0.1% of root content — a single polypeptide chain lectin with a molecular mass of 8,500 Daltons.

🎯

Antiproliferative Action on Prostate Tissue

UDA and root polysaccharides show antiproliferative activity on prostatic tissue. 34

🔗

SHBG Receptor Interference

Root lignans (secoisolariciresinol) and octadecanoic acids appear to block sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) from binding its receptor. 33

🦠

Aromatase Inhibition & Antiviral Lectin Activity

A root fatty acid inhibits aromatase, the enzyme converting testosterone to estradiol; separately, UDA lectin inhibited SARS-CoV-1 replication in a lethal mouse model. 40

⚠ Leaf and Root Work Differently

One plant, two largely separate pharmacological profiles.

Nettle leaf and nettle root have distinct, largely separate profiles — leaf is broadly anti-inflammatory and diuretic, while root activity centers specifically on prostate tissue and hormone-binding proteins. Check which part a product actually contains before assuming it covers both uses.

Pharmaceutical Preparations

Parts Used & Available Forms

Both leaves and roots are used medicinally, prepared across seven documented forms.

Mother Tincture

Tincture of the whole plant.

Whole Plant

Standardized Extract (Aerial)

Fresh-plant extract (EPS) of the aerial parts.

EPS · Aerial

Standardized Extract (Root)

Fresh-plant extract (EPS) of the roots.

EPS · Root

Fluid Extract (Whole Plant)

Liquid extract of the whole plant.

Fluid Extract

Fluid Extract (Root)

Liquid extract of the root specifically.

Fluid Extract · Root

Dry Extract (Root)

Concentrated dry root extract, the form used in most BPH trials.

Dry Extract · Root

Dry Extract (Leaf)

Concentrated dry leaf extract.

Dry Extract · Leaf

Clinical Dosimetry

Dosages

Dosing differs meaningfully by plant part and indication; duration and monitoring should be set by a qualified practitioner.

Form Dose Frequency Context Notes
Leaf Infusion 5 g 3× daily Traditional use Classic infusion of the dried leaf.
Root Decoction 1.5 g Per preparation Traditional use Coarsely powdered root added to cold water, heated to a boil for 1 minute, infused 10 minutes, and strained.
Root Extract 600–1200 mg Daily Benign prostatic hyperplasia (3–6 months) Range observed clinically alongside reductions in urinary frequency, post-void residual, and prostate volume.
Phytochemistry

Composition

Leaf and root composition are documented separately — no gemmotherapy (bud) or essential-oil fraction is documented for this species.

Leaves — Primary Constituents

FlavonoidsQuercetol, kaempferol, isorhamnetol glucosides and rutinosides
1–2%
MineralsCalcium, potassium, silicon (as partially soluble silicates, 1–4%); iron content 41 mg/100g
~20%
Phenolic AcidsCaffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid
Present
Coumarins & SterolsScopoletin; sitosterol
Present
Histamine, Serotonin & AcetylcholineConcentrated in the stinging hairs, alongside formic acid
Trace
ChlorophyllHistorically an industrial chlorophyll source
2.7%

Roots — Primary Constituents

Lectins (UDA)Urtica Dioica Agglutinin — single polypeptide chain, 8,500 Da
~0.1%
PolysaccharidesGlycans, glucogalacturonans, arabinogalactan
Present
SterolsSitosterol, hydroxysitosterols and their glucosides
Present
LignansSecoisolariciresinol, neo-olivil
Present
Ceramides & Fatty AcidsOctadecanoic acids
Present

Plant Properties — Pharmacodynamics

Eight pharmacodynamic properties are documented for nettle, spanning both leaf and root-specific pathways.

8 Properties Anti-inflammatory Diuretic Clinical + Preclinical
🔥

Anti-inflammatory

Inhibits COX-1/COX-2 and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in neutrophils. 567

💧

Diuretic & Antigout

Eliminates urea, uric acid, and chlorides, with a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect. 23

💊

Analgesic

Dose-dependent antinociceptive activity, attributed to vicenin-2, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and vitexin. 101114

🦴

Antirheumatic

Caffeoylmalic acid inhibits cyclooxygenase biosynthesis with an effect comparable to 200 mg/day of diclofenac. 49

🛡️

Hepatoprotective & Antioxidant

Shown in animal models of carbon-tetrachloride-induced liver injury. 21

🩸

Hypoglycemic

Inhibits intestinal glucose absorption and stimulates insulin secretion from the islets of Langerhans. 2223

🎯

Antiproliferative (Root)

Root extracts show antiproliferative activity on prostate tissue via UDA and polysaccharides. 3234

🦠

Antiviral

Shows affinity for the ACE-2 receptor and inhibits SARS-CoV-1 replication via root lectin activity. 3140

Clinical Applications

Clinical Indications

Leaf and root have distinct indication sets that reflect their separate pharmacological profiles.

🦴
Joint & Rheumatic Pain (Leaf)
Primary Indication
  • Painful Joints: an excellent background anti-inflammatory, used in rheumatologic drainage protocols.
  • Nettle Stings for Knee Pain: nettle stings themselves show efficacy for chronic knee osteoarthritis pain in pilot trials. 1516
🩸
Metabolic & Hematologic (Leaf)
Traditional Indication
  • Hyperuricemia, Remineralization & Anemia: traditionally used for hyperuricemia, osteoporosis-related remineralization, and iron-deficiency anemia.
  • Mild Acne & Hair Loss: used for moderate acne, hyperseborrhea, and hair loss via rubefacient activation of hair-follicle metabolism.
🧑‍⚕️
Prostate & Urinary Health (Root)
Clinical Indication
  • Stage I–II Prostatic Adenoma: urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, working mainly via antiproliferative rather than hormonal action.
  • Female Hyperandrogenism & Pygeum Synergy: studied for female hyperandrogenism and in combination with Pygeum africanum for possible synergistic effect. 4142
⚠️
Use Considerations
Traditional / Preliminary
  • Male Acne (Logical, Untested): a plausible extension of root use, flagged as such in the source itself rather than formally studied.
  • Other Urinary Uses: inflammation of the urinary tract and prevention of kidney stone formation.
Pharmacodynamics

Mode of Action

Leaf and root mechanisms diverge sharply — one built on eicosanoid pathway inhibition, the other on lectin-receptor and hormone-binding interference.

🧪

Arachidonic Acid Cascade & PAF Inhibition (Leaf)

Inhibits the arachidonic acid cascade and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in neutrophils, underlying much of the leaf's anti-inflammatory action.

🔬

Lectin-Receptor Binding (Root)

Lectins — named from the Latin legere, "to select" — bind reversibly to sugar receptors on cell membranes. 43

🧬

Aromatase & SHBG Interference (Root)

Inhibits aromatase (testosterone-to-estradiol conversion) and blocks SHBG from binding its receptor.

🎯

Antiproliferative Action on Prostate Tissue (Root)

Root extracts show antiproliferative activity on prostatic tissue; inhibition of testosterone-5-alpha-reductase is plausible but not proven.

Risk Profile

Safety & Interactions

Nettle leaf and root have a notably clean safety record in the available literature — the main practical caution concerns the fresh plant's sting, not the therapeutic preparations.

⚠️

Adverse Effects

  • Sparse Documentation: the source's dedicated adverse-effects section lists no adverse effects specific to leaf or root preparations themselves.
  • Fresh Plant Sting: handling fresh, undried leaves causes a stinging skin reaction from histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and formic acid injected by the leaf's hairs — a topical, mechanical effect, not a concern for dried or extracted preparations.
🚫

Contraindications & Interactions

  • Seed Extract Interactions: documented drug interactions are specific to Urtica urens seed extract, not the leaf or root forms typically used therapeutically. 44
  • Limited Pregnancy Data: the source doesn't provide dedicated pregnancy or lactation safety data; professional guidance is reasonable given this gap.
✓ How to Use Nettle More Safely

A Practical Safety Checklist

  1. Match the plant part to your goal. Leaf for joint, inflammatory, or diuretic use; root specifically for prostate-related symptoms.
  2. Distinguish from seed extract. Documented drug-interaction data comes from Urtica urens seed extract specifically, not the leaf or root preparations most commonly used.
  3. Give root extract time. Clinical improvement in BPH symptoms was observed over 3–6 months, not immediately.
  4. Consider Pygeum pairing. Root extract combined with Pygeum africanum has been studied for possible synergy.
  5. Handle fresh leaves carefully. Stinging hairs inject histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and formic acid on contact — wear gloves when harvesting.
  6. Talk to a provider first if pregnant, breastfeeding, or on other medication, since dedicated safety data for these situations is limited in the sourced literature.
Clinical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting nettle, particularly if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is nettle (Urtica dioica) used for?
Nettle leaf is used for painful joints, hyperuricemia, remineralization, anemia, and mild acne, while nettle root is used specifically for urinary symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia.
What's the difference between nettle leaf and nettle root?
Leaf and root have largely separate pharmacological profiles. Leaf is broadly anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antioxidant. Root activity centers specifically on prostate tissue and hormone-binding proteins, working mainly through an antiproliferative rather than hormonal mechanism.
How does nettle work?
Leaf extracts inhibit the arachidonic acid cascade and platelet-activating factor, contributing to anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic effects. Root lectins, particularly UDA, bind reversibly to cell-membrane sugar receptors, and root constituents interfere with aromatase and SHBG binding relevant to prostate tissue.
What is the typical nettle dosage?
Traditional leaf infusion uses 5 g of leaves three times daily. Root decoction uses about 1.5 g of coarsely powdered root. Clinical observations for benign prostatic hyperplasia used 600–1200 mg of root extract daily over 3–6 months.
Does nettle help with an enlarged prostate (BPH)?
Nettle root is studied for urinary symptoms of stage I and II benign prostatic hyperplasia, working mainly through antiproliferative activity on prostate tissue rather than a hormonal effect, and has also been studied in combination with Pygeum africanum for possible synergy.
Is nettle safe? Are there any known drug interactions?
The available source describes no adverse effects specific to leaf or root preparations. Documented drug interactions are specific to Urtica urens seed extract, not the leaf or root forms typically used therapeutically.
Why does touching fresh nettle sting?
Fresh nettle leaves are covered in stiff, hollow hairs that break on contact and inject histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and formic acid into the skin, causing the characteristic stinging reaction. This is a topical effect of the fresh plant, not a concern for dried or extracted preparations.
Is nettle the same as "white nettle"?
No. True nettle (Urtica dioica) is often confused by name with white nettle or white dead-nettle (Lamium album), an entirely unrelated plant in the mint family with different constituents and traditional uses.
Sources

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Additional Sources

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Lenglen S. L'ortie dioïque (Urtica dioica L.) dans l'hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate. Pharmacy thesis, Lille 2, 2000.
Draghi F. L'ortie dioïque, étude bibliographique. Pharmacy thesis, Nancy, 2005.
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Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Assessment report on Urtica dioica L., Urtica urens L., their hybrids or their mixtures, radix. EMA/HMPC/461156/2008, September 24, 2012.
EMA Assessment Report (PDF) →