Evidence supporting the use of: Stinging Nettle
For the health condition: Allergies (respiratory)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, including for respiratory allergies such as hay fever. Modern scientific research has begun to investigate its efficacy for this indication. Several small clinical studies and laboratory investigations suggest that extracts of Stinging Nettle may have anti-inflammatory properties and may inhibit some of the key mediators involved in allergic responses, such as histamine and prostaglandins. For example, a randomized, double-blind study published in 1990 found that freeze-dried Stinging Nettle was rated by participants as slightly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis, though the difference was not statistically significant. In vitro studies have shown that Stinging Nettle extracts can inhibit histamine receptors and reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines. Despite these findings, the overall quality and quantity of clinical evidence remain limited. Most studies are small, short in duration, or lack rigorous controls, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about efficacy. Systematic reviews generally conclude that there is preliminary but insufficient evidence to recommend Stinging Nettle as a standard therapy for respiratory allergies. Therefore, while there is a scientific rationale and some supporting evidence, more large-scale, high-quality clinical trials are needed to establish its effectiveness.

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