From ancient Greece to the present, nettle has been documented for its traditional use in treating coughs, tuberculosis, and arthritis and in stimulating hair growth. Studies show that nettle leaf has anti-inflammatory actions thought to be caused by nettle preventing the body from making inflammatory chemicals known as prostaglandins. Quercetin is used for it’s anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin also helps protect LDL cholesterol from being damaged and also has anti-estrogenic effects.

Quercetin + Nettles Uses:

• Seasonal allergies & hayfever
• Anti-Histamine
• Antioxidant
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Arthritis
• Stimulates Hair Growth
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
• Anti-Estrogenic Effect
• Prostatitis Symptoms

Arthritis
The historical practice of intentionally applying nettle topically with the intent of causing stings to relieve arthritis has been assessed by a questionnaire in modern times. [5]

Anti-Inflammatory
Quercetin belongs to a class of water-soluble plant pigments called flavonoids. Quercetin acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Antioxidant
As an antioxidant, quercetin protects LDL cholesterol (the cholesterol) from becoming damaged. A variety of evidence indicates that quercetin possesses potent antioxidant properties. Cardiologists believe that damage to LDL cholesterol is an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. Quercetin blocks an enzyme that leads to accumulation of sorbitol, which has been linked to nerve, eye, and kidney damage in those with diabetes. However, no human research has demonstrated these actions of quercetin in people with diabetes patients.

Anti-Estrogenic Effect
Quercetin is considered a phytoestrogen (i.e., a plant substance with similar functions as that of estrogen). Some phytoestrogens are believed also to have anti-estrogenic effects that might lead to reduced risks of certain cancers. Quercetin was found to have this antiestrogenic activity, by inhibiting breast cancer cells in a test tube. [6]

Nettle’s root affects hormones and proteins that carry sex hormones (such as testosterone or estrogen) in the human body. This may explain why it helps benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). [2] Although less frequently used alone like saw palmetto and pygeum, some limited clinical trials suggest benefit of nettle root extract for men with milder forms of BPH. [3]

Prostatitis
In a double-blind trial, 67% of patients taking quercetin had an improvement of prostatis symptoms, compared to a 20% response rate in the placebo group. [7]

1. Obertreis B, Giller K, Teucher T, et al. Antiphlogistic effects of Urtica dioica folia extract in comparison to caffeic malic acid. Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46:52–6.
   
2. Hirano T, Homma M, Oka K. Effects of stinging nettle root extracts and their steroidal components on the Na+,K+-ATPase of the benign prostatic hyperplasia. Planta Med 1994;60:30–3.
   
3. Vontobel H, Herzog R, Rutishauser G, Kres H. Results of a double-blind study on the effectiveness of ERU (extractum radicis urticae) capsules in conservative treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urologe 1985;24:49–51 [in German].
   
4. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 216–7.
   
5. Randall C, Meethan K, Randall H, Dobbs F. Nettle sting of Urtica dioica for joint pain--an exploratory study of this complementary therapy. Compl Ther Med 1999;7:126–31.
   
6. Miodini P, Fioravanti L, di Fronzo G, Capelletti V. The two phyto-oestrogens genistein and quercetin exert different effects on oestrogen receptor function. Br J Cancer 1999;80:1150–5.
   
7. Shoskes DA, Zeitlin SI, Shahed A, Rajfer J. Quercetin in men with category III chronic prostatitis: a preliminary prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Urology 1999;54:960–3.