T E S T O S T E R O N E J U N K I E

When we think of stinging nettle we do not think that it can reduce inflammation and help support natural testosterone production.

However, you may be surprised just how beneficial stinging nettle can be for your health.

LAST UPDATED: March 2019 by Ben.

Supporting evidence is cited at the bottom of this page.

Testosterone and Urtica Diocia

Stinging nettle and testosterone does not necessarily sound like it should go hand in hand.

However, many natural testosterone boosters do include the extracts of nettle in their ingredients profile.

We want to understand why nettle is included and what health benefits it may have.

After all, nettles are nothing but a constant problem if you like walking in the countryside.

In fact just a couple of days ago I was stung on my legs having a nice walk in the evening down some pathways.

So, can the pest of the plants really increase our testosterone levels?

In this article we shall look at the following:

• What is stinging nettle?
• The science behind nettle
• Stinging nettle benefits
• Unwanted side effects of nettle
• Video review

What is Urtica Diocia?

Okay, so we have established it has more than one name.

The more common name is nettle or stinging nettle but the it is also widely known as urtica diocia.

It is common across Europe, Asia, North America and Northern regions of Africa.

It is a tall green plant with leaves that have tiny hollow hairs that act like a needle injecting histamine which causes irritation. [1]

Irritation

The sting is not usually too painful but can cause annoyance. It will make your skin go red as well as causing it to go slightly lumpy like a rash.

However, it will only cause a rash if it is eaten or touched raw and straight from the ground.

Further to this, for many years it has been used as food, tea and also for medicinal purposes.

However, if you do want to live on the wild side there is a raw stinging nettle eating championship which is held annually in Dorset, south west England. [2]

Nutritional value

While the World Nettle Eating Championship is not for everyone (and was initially a dispute between farmers), the nettle is found to be rich in a number of nutrients. [3]

These include:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Calcium
• Protein

As a result, it is much more favored to be eaten as a puree or even a soup when the stinging effects are removed once cooked.

Historically it has also been used as a medicine since the 10th century in Britain.

It was used to encourage lactation [4] and has been used in Austria to treat problems from gout to influenza. [5]

Stinging Nettle Science

So, as we know, the nettle is an inflammatory when raw and out in the wild.

We have learned that it can cause slight pain and irritation in the form of a red rash.

However, once prepared and cooked or boiled it can be eaten, used as a tea and as a medicine.

But what is the science behind nettle?

Can it cure, treat or help us in anyway?

The initial research seems to be positive with studies relating to many beneficial medical effects. [6]

These benefits include the list below:

• a reduction of inflammation
• a reduction of aromatase
• inhibit and decreased prostate growth
• natural alternative for sinus allergen relief

Stinging Nettle Benefits

Let’s start with its effects on testosterone levels first. After all, that’s why you are here…

So, how can urtica dioica help with natural hormone production?

Testosterone and Stinging Nettle

Actually, the number of studies outlining nettle as being able to increase testosterone are low to non-existent.

This doesn’t sound too promising.

However, one study does confirm the effects of urtica dioica on the male sex hormone. [7]

‘…the serum testosterone level was increased by nettle…’

However, we have to consider a different approach.

Female hormones

Scientific studies have discovered that nettle can prevent the process of complex estrogens being formed. [8]

This is key, because, if there is too much estrogen it will have a negative effect on the production of testosterone, and potentially cause a hormone imbalance which can have a negative effect on the following physiological aspects [9]:

• Body composition
• Mood
• Libido
• Bone density
• Cognitive health

Block estrogen

Therefore, it is important to ensure that our levels of testosterone are not inhibited by estrogens.

To add further weight to the benefits of controlling estrogens, additional studies have proven that to increase testosterone you do not necessarily need more testosterone.

Balancing act

As a result, the benefits of aromatse inhibition are starting to take shape as testosterone replacement therapy can be controversial.

Studies from as far back as 2004 have demonstrated that preventing the aromatase of estrogens can be as effective at treating low testosterone with testosterone therapy. [10]

Using aromatase inhibitors as a form of treatment for men with low testosterone has also proven safe.

The results from trials have come back with no adverse effects concerning cardiovascular health, lipid profiles or inflammation. [11]

Prostate health

Stinging nettle is not particularly well know for its effects on testosterone levels per se.

That said, the effects that stinging nettle has on prostate health is well regarded and as a result, more people are aware of the connection.

Confirmation

This is because a fairly large scientific study involving over 550 patients demonstrated that stinging nettle can reduce the size of the prostate with little to no ill side effects. [12] [13]

Furthermore, it is concluded that the hormone inhibitors at work that help control and treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. [14]

Inflammation

Many years ago the action of rubbing raw leaves in to the joint areas was thought to help fight inflammation and rheumatism.

However, it does seem that certain joints benefit more from the topical use of application of nettle. [15]

In addition, another study offers the theory that a cream using the root of the nettle instead of the leaves offers more benefit. [16]

Sinus Relief

Trials have offered promising results for people who suffer from sinus allergies.

In fact, almost half of those subjects involved in the trial expressed that 600mg of nettle found the effects to be better than products available over the counter. [17]

Again, the anti-inflammatory qualities are being hailed as the reason behind the results.

Urtica Dioica Side Effects

All scientific research points towards safety of use.

Studies have demonstrated a high tolerance in subjects, and the pain from being ‘stung’ by the nettle is nothing more than a harmless irritant.

When the nettle is prepared to eat or drink, the cooking process destroys the stinging effects rendering it harmless to ingest.

Video Summary

Conclusion

While we may all curse in annoyance when we brush past stinging nettles either walking or gardening, their overall benefit is far greater than the irritation caused by touching them.

At worst the nettle may annoy you for a short while and create a red rash.

However, the studies have confirmed that stinging nettle can increase testosterone while also controlling estrogen levels

In turn, this allows stimulation of testosterone production.

Alternative therapy

This has provided a ‘back door’ approach to testosterone therapy.

Furthermore, nettle can reduce inflammation of the joints and of the sinus.

It would also be churlish to not appreciate the benefit that nettle has on treating prostate growth.

References

[1] http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74146.html

[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/06/17/nettle_eating_feature.shtml

[3] Hughes, R. Elwyn; Ellery, Peter; Harry, Tim; Jenkins, Vivian; Jones, Eleri (1980). “The dietary potential of the common nettle”. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 31 (12): 1279–86. doi:10.1002/jsfa.2740311210. PMID 6259444.

[4]  Westfall R.E. (2003). “Galactagogue herbs: a qualitative study and review”. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice. 2 (2): 22–27.

[5] Vogl, S; Picker, P; Mihaly-Bison, J; Fakhrudin, N; Atanasov, AG; Heiss, EH; Wawrosch, C; Reznicek, G; Dirsch, VM; Saukel, J; Kopp, B (2013). “Ethnopharmacological in vitro studies on Austria’s folk medicine – An unexplored lore in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of 71 Austrian traditional herbal drugs”. J Ethnopharmacol. 149 (3): 750–71. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.06.007. PMC 3791396 . PMID 23770053.

[6] https://examine.com/supplements/stinging-nettle/

[7] The histological and histometrical effects of Urtica dioica extract on rat’s prostate hyperplasia. Moradi HR, Erfani Majd N, Esmaeilzadeh S, Fatemi Tabatabaei SR. Vet Res Forum. 2015 Winter;6(1):23-9. Epub 2015 Mar 15. PMID: 25992248

[8] Aromatase inhibitors from Urtica dioica roots. Gansser D, Spiteller G. Planta Med. 1995 Apr;61(2):138-40. PMID: 17238068

[9] High estrogen in men after injectable testosterone therapy: the low T experience. Tan RS, Cook KR, Reilly WG. Am J Mens Health. 2015 May;9(3):229-34. doi: 10.1177/1557988314539000. Epub 2014 Jun 13. PMID: 24928451

[10] Effects of aromatase inhibition in elderly men with low or borderline-low serum testosterone levels. Leder BZ, Rohrer JL, Rubin SD, Gallo J, Longcope C. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Mar;89(3):1174-80. PMID: 15001605

[11] Effect of aromatase inhibition on lipids and inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease in elderly men with low testosterone levels. Dougherty RH, Rohrer JL, Hayden D, Rubin SD, Leder BZ. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2005 Feb;62(2):228-35. PMID: 15670201

[12] Urtica dioica for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Safarinejad MR. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):1-11. PMID: 16635963

[13] Ameliorative effects of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Nahata A, Dixit VK. Andrologia. 2012 May;44 Suppl 1:396-409. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01197.x. Epub 2011 Aug 2. PMID: 21806658

[14] https://researchgate.net/publication/51537882_Ameliorative_effects_of_Stinging_Nettle_Urtica_dioica_on_testosterone_induced_prostatic_hyperplasia_in_rats

[15] Randall C, et al. Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. J R Soc Med. (2000)

[16] Rayburn K, et al. Stinging nettle cream for osteoarthritis. Altern Ther Health Med. (2009)

[17] Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med. (1990)

Summary

Article Name

Stinging nettle and testosterone

Description

We look at the benefits the humble stinging nettle can have on testosterone secretion.

Author

Ben