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Stinging Nettle

Also known as: Urtica dioica, Urtica urens

 

 

Safety Rating

LIKELY HARMFUL

  • Pregnancy

NOT ENOUGH INFO

  • Breastfeeding
  • Children
  • Elderly (65+)

POSSIBLY UNSAFE

  • None

POSSIBLY SAFE 

(See dose safety below)

  • General population

LIKELY SAFE

  • None

 

For explanations of what these safety ratings mean, click here.

 

 

 

Dose Safety

Several small studies using very different preparations, amounts, and mixtures of Stinging Nettle, with one study using 120mg 3 times a day for 2 years

 

 

Potential Side effects

Allergic rhinitis

Constipation

Diarrhea

Fatigue

Fever

Headache

 

 

Overview

 

What is it? A plant that grows in many regions. The root and leaves are used for medicinal purposes.

Why is it used? Stinging nettle is commonly found in products marketed to address high blood sugar, joint pain, urination issues, and astringent products.

What’s the harm? LIKELY UNSAFE in pregnancy because if may cause uterine stimulation, which may lead to miscarriage.

 

 

Interactions with health conditions

 

Diabetes: May increase the risk of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when combined with medications meant to control blood sugar

 

 

Drug Interactions

 

Diabetes/blood sugar control: Stinging Nettle may increase the risk of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when combined with Diabetes drugs. Examples include:

  • Metformin
  • Glipizide (Glucotrol)
  • Insulin
  • Pioglitazone (Actos)
  • Liraglutide (Victoza)
  • Canagliflozin (Invokana)
  • Sitagliptin (Januvia)

For more examples of diabetes drugs, click here.

Lithium: Taking with Stinging Nettle may increase the levels of Lithium in the body. In order to avoid Lithium toxicity, the dose of Lithium may need to be lowered.

Warfarin: Warfarin prevents clots by countering the clotting effects of Vitamin K. Because Stinging Nettle contains large amounts of Vitamin K, it could reduce efficacy of warfarin if taken together.

 

 

Interactions with herbs/supplements

 

Blood sugar-lowering products: Combining with products that may lower blood sugar increases the risk of hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar). Examples:

 

 

Interactions with foods: None Known 

 

 

Interactions with lab tests: None Known

 

 

References

  1. *Natural Medicines. (2019, March 11). Stinging Nettle [Monograph]. Natural Standard Professional Monograph. Retrieved from: https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=664

  2. * Lopatkin, N., Sivkov, A., Walther, C., Schläfke, S., Medvedev, A., Avdeichuk, J., ... & Engelmann, U. (2005). 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. World journal of urology, 23(2), 139-146. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00345-005-0501-9

*=Requires PAID or institutional subscription to access

Tags: Ingredients