The common nettle can alleviate certain symptoms of IBD

Research has found that common nettle (Urtica dioica) can be used to treat symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study, which was published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, suggested that the leaf extract of common nettle can improve inflammation, platelet count, and quality of life of IBD patients.

• Researchers from Iran University of Medical Science in Tehran, Iran evaluated the effects of the leaf extract of common nettle in patients with IBD.
• For the double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial, the researchers recruited 64 patients with IBD, but only 59 participants completed the trial.
• The participants were randomly divided into two groups: a common nettle group and a placebo group.
• The participants received three tablets of either a common nettle extract or placebo every day for 12 weeks.
• Then, the researchers assessed the participants’ high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), blood levels, platelets, white blood cells, and quality of life before the actual treatment and at the end of the study.
• The results revealed that the common nettle treatment reduced the inflammatory markers and platelet count and increased antioxidant enzyme SOD level.
• The treatment also improved the quality of life of IBD patients.

In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that common nettle may be helpful in the treatment of IBD.

To read more stories on natural treatments like common nettle, visit AlternativeMedicine.news today.

Journal Reference:

Nematgorgani S, Agah S, Shidfar F, Gohari M, Faghihi A. EFFECTS OF URTICA DIOICA LEAF EXTRACT ON INFLAMMATION, OXIDATIVE STRESS, ESR, BLOOD CELL COUNT AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE. Journal of Herbal Medicine. September 2017; 9: 32-41. DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2017.05.002