Do Stinging Nettles Relieve Arthritis Pain?

The simple answer for many is yes, and certainly acceptable for quick relief. Stinging Nettles have been used for thousands of years for there medicinal properties. Nature provides us with many plants and roots that will aid in the relieving of joint pain and inflammation, with the most radical being the common Stinging Nettle.

The science behind the myth is somewhat confusing, having said that recent studies carried out at the University of Plymouth UK, offer some scientific proof that this ancient folklore therapy can actually work.

During research at the University of Plymouth stinging nettle leaves were applied to the hands of 27 arthritis sufferers daily for a week, The results were then compared to the effect of a placebo, namely, the white deadnettle leaf, which does not sting, the white deadnettle leaf was also applied for a week.

The researchers found that stinging nettles not only significantly reduced pain, but also that the level of remaining pain stayed lower through most of the treatment.

How Does It Work

The theory is, the nettle leaf contains thousands of microscopic stinging spines which are thought to pierce the skin similar to acupuncture which triggers histamine (the body's own anti-inflammatory) as well as a sting, to concentrate on the treated area, the by product being arthritis pain and inflammation relief. Pain relief was most likely to occur if a sting with weal's (nettle rash) was produced.

This is an ancient folklore, that seems to work for many people all over the world.

The stinging nettle is a freely available plant which grows in may countries around the world and its sting seems a safe treatment.

How to Administer

Quite simple really, the best and the traditional way to treat your arthritis with stinging nettles is to grasp the plants stem with a gloved hand and then thrash the affected joint with the leaves until nettle rash appears, repeat for all affected joints, in most cases this will help reduce the pain and swelling quickly for a short period of time.

Does this all sound a little barbaric?, well nature has provided many long and short term answers for arthritis, with nettles being at the extreme.

There are easier and far less abrasive ways of reducing your pain and inflammation believe me.