The latest research on nettle root focuses on it's usefulness for prostate inflammation and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). There have been many clinical studies about nettle root that demonstrated it's improvement in both of these conditions. BPH is age-related and related to the number of cells triggered to grow in the prostate. Nettle's benefit for the prostate gland is it's work on the hormonal level. Enlarged prostate usually occurs in men over forty. Androgen male hormones like testosterone have been shown to cause an enlarged prostate in endless studies.
The main culprit is an extremely potent substance called dihydrotestosterone which in excess causes pathological prostate growth. Estrogens may also cause swelling of the prostate gland. These hormones travel in a free state as well as being bound to proteins. One such binding protein is called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and it's role is to help with hormonal balance in the body. SHBG binds or attaches to hormones and carries them to different receptor sites where they can be utilized differently. In men, estrogen and dihydrotestosterone bound to SHBG are carried to the prostate gland in excessive amounts. This can result in enlarged prostate.
Nettle root can interfere or slow a number of these hormone related chemical processes. It can block the SHBG from binding to the hormone or in some cases it can stop it from binding to the receptor site of the prostate. It appears that many of the intercellular processes that trigger the prostate to grow and enlarge seem to be inhibited by the nettle root. In one study a nettle root extract showed 30% inhibition of prostate growth in five days, another reported inhibited prostate growth in mice by up to 52%. In these studies the average urinary flow increased, while urgency and frequency decreased. There were also fewer side effects from taking the herb versus taking a drug.
PINE TREES AND PINE POLLEN