Nettle Tea

Overview

Nettle tea is made from the leaf of Urtica dioica L. or Urtica urens L. [1]

What EU regulators concluded

The EU committee describes nettle leaf as a traditional herbal medicinal product for relief of minor articular (joint) pain, and to increase the amount of urine to flush the urinary tract as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints, both based exclusively on long-standing use. [1] In the EU, the herbal medicines committee (HMPC) accepts this kind of use as "traditional use": the effectiveness is considered plausible and the product has been used safely for at least 30 years (at least 15 within the EU), although clinical trial evidence is insufficient. That is a regulatory category, not proof from trials. [1] We do not present nettle tea as a treatment for joint pain or urinary problems.

What the EU monograph describes for the tea (not a recommendation)

For adolescents, adults and the elderly, the monograph describes 2 to 4 g of the comminuted leaf as a single dose for a herbal tea, 3 to 6 times daily (a daily amount equivalent to 8 to 12 g of the herb). It says not to use it for more than 4 weeks for joint pain, and not for more than 2 to 4 weeks for the urinary indication, and not in children under 12. [1]

Safety

• Contraindications: hypersensitivity, and any condition in which reduced fluid intake is recommended, for example severe cardiac or renal disease. [1]
• Side effects: mild gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and skin reactions (itching, rash, hives) may occur. [1]
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety has not been established, and use is not recommended. [1]
• Interactions: none reported at the time of the monograph. [1]
• If joint pain comes with swelling, redness or fever, or urinary symptoms worsen or include fever, painful urination, spasm or blood in the urine, a doctor should be consulted. [1]

Research on the tea itself

PubMed lists 26 randomized trials mentioning stinging nettle (see Research), most of extracts.