Nettle Root

Botanical Name: Urtica dioica rad.

Common name: Nettle Root

Family: Urticaceae

Parts Used: Root, harvested in autumn

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Active Constituents: 

• Flavonoids
• Inorganics
• Lignans
• Acids
• Amines

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Qualities: Dry, warm

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Actions:

• Antiprostatic (Bone)
• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor
• Aromatase inhibitor
• Reduces SHBG – lingers competitively bind, which decreases SHBG ability to bind its receptors
• Urinary antiseptic
• Diuretic

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Indications: 

• Improving urologic conditions in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• Difficulty in urination with BPH (Bone, 2003)
• Traditionally used in cutaneous skin eruptions, haemorrhages, asthma (Bone 2003)
• Specific: Prostatic enlargement (BHP)
• PCOS (SHBG binding action)
• Traditionally: Conditioner for dandruff and falling hair

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Contraindications: None Known

Cautions: Occasional mild GI discomfort may occur from ingesting nettle root (Bone, 2003)

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Dosage: 4.5-8.5ml of 1:2 FE per day or 30-60ml per week

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OTHER USES:

• HAIR RINSE: Use the decoction as a rinse for dandruff, falling hair and as a generally conditioner

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References & Links to Articles:

Ody, Penelope (1998). The Herb Society’s Complete Medicinal Herbal. Milan: Dorling Kindersley
Hoffman, D. (1990). Holistic Herbal. London: Thorsons

 

Saw Palmetto

 

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Botanical Name: Serenoa repens, S serrulata

Common name: Saw Palmetto, Cabbage Palm

Family: Palmae

Parts Used: Fruit

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Active Constituents:

• Carbohydrates
• Fixed oils
• Steroids
• Flavonoids
• Resin
• Tannins
• Volatile oil (Barnes et al 2002)

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Qualities: Dry, warm

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Actions:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-prostatic
  
• Anti-androgenic
• Male tonic
• Diuretic
• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor – decrease conversion of testosterone to DHT
• Prolactin inhibitor
• Improves overall tone of reproductive system (Purcell)

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Indications:

• Mild to moderate BPH
• PCOS – due to anti-androgenic action
• Reduce ovarian enlargement with chronic irritation – with dull, aching pain – can act as a ‘sedative’ for the ovaries
• Inflammation of the genitourinary tract esp cystitis, atrophy of sexual tissues
• Aphrodisiac
• Sex hormone deficiency
• Stubborn acne conditions – due to influence on the liver
• Non infectious prostatitis (Bone, 2003) (4-6 weeks for result)
• Traditionally used for undeveloped mammary glands, irritative cough, whooping cough, laryngitis, acute catarrh, asthma, nervous system tonic

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Contraindications: 

Thomsen & Gennat (2009) recommend contraindicated in pregnancy & children under 12 due to hormonal effects

Bone suggests that this is not so.

Cautions: Minor GI complaints such as nausea – usually resolved when the herb is taken with meals

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Dosage: 2.9-4.5ml of 1:2LE per day or 15-30ml per week