Can You Eat Nettles?

Stinging nettle is rich in various vitamins and minerals, such as:

• Vitamins A, C, and K and several B vitamins
• Minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium
• Fats such as linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and steric acid
• Various amino acids
• Polyphenols such as kaempferol, quercetin, caffeic acid, coumarins, and various other flavonoids
• Various polyphenol sources such as beta-carotene, lutein, luteoxanthin, and other carotenoids

1. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Stinging nettle is commonly used in European countries to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, which results in an enlarged prostate gland and difficulty urinating. Additional studies are required to confirm the benefits of stinging nettle. Before starting nettle, it is always better to take an expert's opinion to avoid further complications.
2. Allergies: Paradoxically, nettle leaves can treat allergy conditions. The leaves of stinging nettle are commonly used to reduce hay fever symptoms, as they have anti-inflammatory properties. The same applies to sneezing, running nose, and burning and itchy eyes.
3. Joint pain: Few studies have reported that the intake of stewed nettle leaves is beneficial, in addition to diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory drug), in some cases of joint pain.
4. Diabetes: Leaves of stinging nettle are used to treat diabetes, primarily type II diabetes. You should check your blood sugar levels frequently if you have diabetes and take stinging nettle.
5. Blood pressure: Few types of research have suggested that stinging nettle helps reduce blood pressure. People use stinging nettles as diuretics, shedding more water in urine. All these studies are conducted on animals only. No specific research was confirmed on humans. 
6. Bleeding and wound healing: Few types of research have suggested that consuming stinging nettle results in reduced bleeding and improved wound healing.
7. Hay fever: Stinging nettle is the natural way to treat hay fever, which is considered inflammation of the nasal lining. However, the treatment with stinging nettle is not much effective.
8. Inflammation: Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infections, but chronic inflammation may be harmful. Stinging nettle contains a few compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. Few studies have reported that applying stinging nettle cream over joints acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps relieve pain and inflammation in the conditions such as arthritis.

Fine delicate hair cause the following side effects:

• Burning
• Itching
• Rash
• Reddishness

Stinging nettle causes:

• Low blood pressure
• Increased or decreased blood sugar levels
• Discomfort in the digestive system
• Increased uterine contractions and risk of miscarriage
• Allergic reactions

Stinging nettle should be avoided if the person takes any of the following drugs:

• Blood thinners
• Antiallergic drugs
• Diuretics
• Blood pressure drugs

Stinging nettle is consumed directly; it is cleaned thoroughly by removing its delicate hairy structures that contain irritants.

Then it is adequately soaked and cooked to make delicious food that is safe to eat.

Stinging nettle is very easy to add to your diet. It is easily available in food stores, or it can be grown to own your own.

You can buy dried or frozen leaves in the form of capsules, tinctures, and creams. Nettle cream is usually used to treat osteoarthritis.

Leaves, roots, and stems of nettle are soaked and cooked and added to soups, stews, smoothies, and stir-fried veggies, whereas flowers and leaves are used to make delicious herbal tea.

It is always safe to avoid fresh leaves, as their hair irritates.

There is no particular recommend dosage of nettle, as its ingredients and quality vary from maker to maker.