Planetary Herbals Stinging Nettle

A History of Traditional Use
Stinging nettle (Urtica diocia) has been a staple of herbal practitioners for centuries. At one time nettles were among the most commonly eaten late winter or early spring greens, due to their high content of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. They are also a rich source of flavonoids and chlorophyll.

Nettles have traditionally been used as a tonic and for respiratory support. According to the noted 16th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, "when juiced, the [nettle] leaves are used to open the lungs." Maude Grieves, the author of A Modern Herbal - one of the most popular sources among herbalists - reported on the traditional practice of inhaling the smoke of burning nettle for respiratory support.

Freeze-Drying Preserves Active Constituents
Nettles contain a wide array of constituents that are generally lost in the typical drying process. The primary active components of freeze-dried nettle leaf are concentrated in the fresh stinging hairs, and include histamine, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and acetylcholine. Freeze-drying preserves these essential elements to provide the full spectrum of constituents necessary for use as a respiratory support herb.

In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 98 individuals, freeze-dried nettle was found to be moderately or highly effective by a majority of participants for addressing seasonal discomfort. Modern in vitro research on freeze-dried nettles has shown that it partially inhibits the body's production of arachidonic acid and leukotrienes. This function is an extremely important aspect of freeze-dried nettle's support for the respiratory system, and may be lost in products that are not freeze-dried. The daily dose of Planetary Herbals Freeze-Dried Stinging Nettles supplies 840 mg daily of freeze-dried nettles, the same amount found effective in clinical research, and more than what is provided by most competing products.

Organic Cultivation
Planetary Herbals Freeze-Dried Stinging Nettles is prepared from freshly harvested nettles that have been organically cultivated in accordance with the Federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and the California Organic Foods Act of 1990.