Nettle Root
Botanical: Urtica dioica; also known as stinging nettle.
Nettle root has showed a great deal of promise in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Some men with this condition have problems with frequent urination, but they may also have trouble urinating when they have a strong urge. This can be particularly disruptive at night, when the urge to go is like a frustrating alarm clock.
A French study found that men who had to get up several times a night to urinate found significant relief after taking an extract of nettle, every eight hours, researchers gave a dilute extract of nettle root to 67 patients over 60 years of age. The men with the mildest problems found significant relief in just three to six weeks.
The results were less encouraging for men with more severe cases, as it took a few more weeks before any effect was noticed. Nevertheless, many of the subjects had fewer night time awakenings to urinate.
The herb did not shrink the prostate but apparently reduced inflammation and swelling.
Nettle root is thought to inhibit a metabolite of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) stimulates prostate growth, leading to enlargement.
Nettle extracts also inhibit enzymes such as 5 alpha reductase that cause testosterone to convert to DHT. It is the DHT metabolite of testosterone that is known to cause benign prostate enlargement, excess facial hair and hair loss at the top of the head.
A German study in to herbal medicine found nettle to be a good supportive therapy, for inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract, these scientific conclusions fit with the traditional use of nettle as a diuretic.
Precautions
Because of its diuretic and hypotensive actions, nettle leaf may lower blood pressure. If you are taking diuretics or other drugs meant to lower blood pressure, consult your doctor before using nettle root.
Nettle root combines well with Saw Palmetto.
