Legends have it that the Tibetan saint Milarepa did nothing but meditate and fed on nothing but nettles for decades. And yet people nowadays tend to just pull the legendary nettle out, much like dandelions, if not dowsed the plant with weed-killer. But nettle, as it turns out, can readily be brewed into an herbal panacea that might as well cause your local pharmacy to go bankrupt.

Researchers report that 81 percent of subjects who regularly consumed nettle preparation had an observable reduction of BPH symptoms compared to participants who were given placebo treatment. (Photo Credits)

The stinging nettle, medically referred to as Urtica dioica, has been used for its many curative properties since 3 B.C. During medieval times in Europe, the stinging nettle was a popular medicinal agent used to treat joint pains. During the medieval time too, the plant was also used as a natural diuretic.

In more recent years, experts are looking into the medicinal properties of organic nettle leaf tea for lupus. There are also relevant studies that consider the possibility of nettle leaf tea for relief of allergies.

Health Benefits of Organic Nettle Tea

Each cup of nettle tea is practically a brimful of health benefits. So what is organic nettle tea good for? Nettle naturally contains copious amounts of vitamins A, B, and K. The plant is also known to be a prominent source of riboflavin, niacin, folate, carbohydrates, fat and proteins. Nettle tea also contains significant levels of essential minerals that, among others, include calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper and magnesium.

Nettle Root Tea for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

In more recent years, nettle root is a popular medicinal agent used in the treatment of urinary problems often associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPS) or enlarged prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous condition that mainly results to excessive prostate gland enlargement. This condition often interferes with urination in men.

In Europe especially, stinging nettle is actively used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A growing body of clinical studies confirms the nettles medicinal value in the treatment of BPH. For instance, the Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy reports of a six-month clinical study involving 600 participants afflicted with BPH. Researchers report that 81 percent of subjects who regularly consumed nettle preparation had an observable reduction of BPH symptoms compared to participants who were given placebo treatment. There are also several studies, that of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering for instance, that suggest that nettle could potentially inhibit the growth of prostate cancer in laboratory animals.

How to Make a Fresh Cup of Nettle Tea

Preparing a fresh cup of nettle tea is quite easy. All that’s required is to steeping 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaves in boiled for 10 minutes, or so.