Ortiga, known in English as stinging nettle, is a medicinal plant used for centuries to treat joint pain, urinary problems, allergies, and high blood sugar. Modern research supports several of these traditional uses, particularly for prostate enlargement, arthritis-related inflammation, and blood sugar management. Both the leaves and roots contain different active compounds, so which part of the plant you use depends on what you’re trying to address.
Joint Pain and Inflammation
One of ortiga’s best-supported uses is reducing inflammation in the joints. The plant contains flavonoids and organic acids (including caffeic and chlorogenic acids) that interfere with the body’s inflammatory signaling. Specifically, compounds in nettle leaves block a key protein called NF-kB that drives inflammation in cartilage cells. When this protein is suppressed, the enzymes that break down cartilage slow their activity, and fewer cells die from inflammatory damage.
Studies on human osteoarthritic cartilage cells have shown that nettle extract reduces the production of inflammation-triggering molecules while improving cell survival. In animal models of osteoarthritis, nettle treatment led to less cartilage degeneration and lower levels of the enzymes responsible for joint tissue breakdown. This is why ortiga tea or supplements are commonly recommended in Latin American and European folk medicine for arthritis, and it’s one area where the traditional use aligns well with laboratory evidence.
Prostate Enlargement (BPH)
Ortiga root is widely used in Europe as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, the gradual prostate enlargement that causes frequent urination and weak urine flow in older men. The root contains plant sterols, lignans, and complex sugars that appear to reduce prostate-related symptoms.
In a randomized, double-blind trial of 100 men with BPH, those taking nettle root saw their urinary symptom scores drop dramatically, from an average of about 27 (severe) down to roughly 2 (minimal) over eight weeks. The placebo group showed virtually no change. A larger trial involving 287 men also found significant reductions in symptom scores, PSA levels, and prostate size. Clinical trials have typically used 360 to 1,200 mg of nettle root extract daily for six weeks to six months.
Blood Sugar Control
Multiple human trials have examined ortiga’s effect on blood sugar, and the results are encouraging. Across several studies reviewed together, nettle consumption significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, post-meal blood sugar, and HbA1c (the marker that reflects average blood sugar over two to three months). In one trial, both blood glucose and body weight dropped significantly in the group consuming nettle compared to controls.
The results aren’t perfectly consistent. One study found that while nettle improved insulin resistance, it didn’t change fasting blood sugar on its own. This suggests the effect may depend on the type of extract, the dose, and how long someone takes it. Still, the overall pattern across trials points to a real, if modest, benefit for people managing high blood sugar.
Seasonal Allergies
Ortiga has a long reputation as a natural antihistamine, and there is some clinical evidence to support this, though it’s not as strong as the evidence for prostate or blood sugar benefits. In a double-blind trial of patients with persistent allergic rhinitis who hadn’t responded well to standard antihistamines and nasal steroids, adding 600 mg daily of nettle root extract improved symptom scores and reduced the number of allergy-related immune cells in nasal tissue.
The catch: the placebo group also improved significantly on symptom scores, making it hard to attribute the benefit entirely to nettle. An earlier trial using freeze-dried nettle leaf found similar results, with patients rating their allergies as improved overall, but daily symptom diaries showed only a small difference between the herb and placebo. Ortiga may offer some relief during allergy season, but it’s unlikely to replace conventional allergy treatment on its own.
Nutritional Profile
Beyond its medicinal uses, cooked ortiga leaves are surprisingly nutritious. Per 100 grams of cooked shoots, nettle provides roughly 3.6 to 3.8 grams of protein, 376 to 430 mg of calcium, and 2.1 to 2.6 mg of iron. That calcium content is comparable to a glass of milk, which makes nettle a notable plant source of this mineral. The leaves also contain vitamins A and C, along with a range of organic acids that act as antioxidants.
In many traditional cuisines, ortiga is blanched (which neutralizes the sting) and added to soups, omelets, or teas. Cooking or drying the leaves eliminates the stinging hairs completely, so there’s no risk of irritation once prepared.
Leaf vs. Root: Which Part to Use
The leaves and roots of ortiga serve different purposes. The leaf is the part used for joint inflammation, allergies, and general nutrition. It’s available as dried leaf tea, freeze-dried capsules, or cooked greens. Clinical allergy trials have used around 600 mg of freeze-dried leaf daily.
The root is the part studied for prostate health. It contains a different set of active compounds, including lignans and polysaccharides that interact with hormone-binding proteins. Prostate trials have used 360 to 1,200 mg of root extract daily. If you’re buying a supplement, check whether it contains leaf, root, or both, because they are not interchangeable for every use.
Safety and Interactions
Ortiga is generally well tolerated, but it does carry a few important cautions. Because it can act as a mild diuretic (increasing urine output), it should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For the same reason, it can interact with blood pressure medications, including both diuretics and drugs that lower blood pressure, potentially amplifying their effects. If you take any medication for blood pressure, blood sugar, or blood clotting, check with a pharmacist before adding nettle supplements to your routine.
Mild side effects can include digestive upset, and handling fresh leaves without gloves will cause the familiar stinging sensation from tiny hairs on the plant’s surface. This irritation is temporary and harmless, though unpleasant.