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Why we LOVE Stinging Nettle & we Get to the Bones of it! Part One

Studies show that there is a connection between the deterioration and dryness of skin and osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and various bone pathologies. This is a reasonable assumption considering connective tissue is responsible for the fortitude of our bones, hair, nails, and skin. Connective tissue has a role in the storage, absorption and disposal of waste from the body, it transports vitamins, nutrients and oxygen, while also protecting from harmful contaminants along with providing immune support. The quality of the skin both in appearance and strength is directly impacted by the vitality of the connective tissue as it is responsible for structural support such as tendons, ligaments, bone and cartilage, thermal insulation (or fat) and blood production including bone marrow and lymphatic tissue. Bone itself is a connective tissue, composed of a solid extracellular matrix and cells, including osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle is a valuable tonic that can bolster and nourish the immune system, spleen, circulatory system, urinary tract, nervous system, respiratory tract, digestive system and endocrine system, including the adrenals, thyroid and the pancreas. Stinging nettle is a traditional remedy for scurvy, anemia, and lethargy. This is due to high levels of iron, vitamin C, magnesium and other nutrients. In exploring the nature by which stinging nettle positively assists the bodily systems taxed with age, a better understanding is gained in how these systems work together and by what manner they may be best supported. In treating the outer visage, it is imperative to start with the bones.

For those of you ready to dig deeper into your beauty vibe we are going to share our Clinical Herbalist thesis findings from ‘Natural Beauty is Anything but Skin Deep: An Exploration of Urtica dioica on the Skin Aesthetic via the Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, and Immune System,’ in 3 separate parts starting at the bones of this discussion, because we are so fascinated with how it all works together. We know if you are serious about your health and skin care this information will be of the utmost importance to you, even if you only absorb a few snippets!

Studies show that there is a connection between the deterioration and dryness of skin and osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and various bone pathologies. This is a reasonable assumption considering connective tissue is responsible for the fortitude of our bones, hair, nails, and skin. Connective tissue has a role in the storage, absorption and disposal of waste from the body, it transports vitamins, nutrients and oxygen, while also protecting from harmful contaminants along with providing immune support. The quality of the skin both in appearance and strength is directly impacted by the vitality of the connective tissue as it is responsible for structural support such as tendons, ligaments, bone and cartilage, thermal insulation (or fat) and blood production including bone marrow and lymphatic tissue. Bone itself is a connective tissue, composed of a solid extracellular matrix and cells, including osteoclasts and osteoblasts. 


Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle is a valuable tonic that can bolster and nourish the immune system, spleen, circulatory system, urinary tract, nervous system, respiratory tract, digestive system and endocrine system, including the adrenals, thyroid and the pancreas. Stinging nettle is a traditional remedy for scurvy, anemia, and lethargy. This is due to high levels of iron, vitamin C, magnesium and other nutrients. In exploring the nature by which stinging nettle positively assists the bodily systems taxed with age, a better understanding is gained in how these systems work together and by what manner they may be best supported. In treating the outer visage, it is imperative to start with the bones.

We reviewed the use of stinging nettle to support our largest organ the skin, as it pertained to three important bodily systems; namely the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and immune system correlating well with all proposed aging theories.  
 
Stinging nettle is a part of the ‘bone mender’ category of herbs, high in silica, calcium and minerals assisting in bone strength and healing. The musculoskeletal system is the part of the body that works together to make movement possible and protect the insides. This includes the muscles and the skeleton as one system. Neither system works without the other, and both need to be in perfect balance for your body to function properly. In a review of the impact of the musculoskeletal system on the whole-body system from structure and circulation to nutrient absorption and hormones, it is apparent if the integrity of aging skin is of priority one need begin with the bones using stinging nettle as an integral part of treatment.

 Historically, arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, gout, and tendonitis have been successfully treated with various topical treatments of stinging nettle via compress, ointment or urtification. However, the internal use of this herb has become a research focus for healthy bones due to the element of boron, a trace mineral essential for strong bones. Boron plays an effective role in helping bones retain calcium. It is also important to note boron supports the endocrine system, and hormones have a role in helping the body maintain healthy bones and joints. James A. Duke states in his book, The Green Pharmacy,

 The recommended beneficial dose of boron is 2-3 milligrams daily. An analysis of stinging nettle provided to me by [James Duke] by the USDA scientists shows that it contains 47 parts per million of the mineral boron, figured on a dry-weight basis.

Osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts are cell types involved in the development, growth and remodeling of bones. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells, osteocytes are mature bone cells and osteoclasts break down and reabsorb bone. In an animal study using Swiss male mice and administering stinging nettle during a maxillary expansion procedure, the researchers found new bone formation and the number of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and capillaries highest in the group of mice receiving doses of stinging nettle (Celal et. Al, 2016). This study exemplifies the ability of stinging nettle to support the bones, impacting the ability of the body to store necessary nutrients, minerals, and lipids, while producing blood cells that nourish the body. In maintaining the health of the connective tissue in the bones, it would appear there is a direct beneficial impact on the condition of the skin. Stinging nettle is not only historically known to be an exceptional agency for the musculoskeletal system, but now via modern research we are able to understand and quantify how.

 If you have any experiences you would like to share or questions, please add them to the comments. We want to hear from you! If you want to know more about products we offer with stinging nettle, or have personal inquiries about adding this multi-faceted plant to your beauty and body regime, send us an email or book a FREE 15-minute virtual consultation where we support you with skin care and beyond HERE. To learn more about The Skin Clinic CLICK HERE.

Because we all want to stay hotties naturally at bee23.ca!



References

Haas, M., Elson, M. D., Levin, Buck, R. D. (2006). Staying Healthy with Nutrition. The complete guide to diet and nutritional medicine. Celestial Arts, Berkeley.

Duke, A., James, Duke, Kessler, Peggy. (1997). The Green Pharmacy. New Discoveries in Herbal
Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs. Rodale Books.

Haugeberg G, Michelsen B, Kavanaugh. A Impact of skin, musculoskeletal and psychosocial aspects on quality of life in psoriatic arthritis patients: A cross-sectional study of outpatient clinic patients in the biologic treatment era RMD Open 2020;6:e001223. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001223

Tortora, J., Gerard, Derrickson, Bryan. (2012). Introduction to the Human Body Ninth Edition. The essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Celal Irgin, Bayram Çörekçi, Fatih Ozan, Koray Halicioğlu, Orçun Toptaş, Arzu Birinci Yildirim, Arzu Türker, Fahri Yilmaz, Does stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) have an effect on bone formation in the expanded inter-premaxillary suture?, Archives of Oral Biology, Volume 69, 2016, Pages 13-18, ISSN 0003-9969, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2016.05.003.

Jenny NS. Inflammation in aging: cause, effect, or both? Discov Med. 2012 Jun;13(73):451-60. PMID: 22742651.

Riehemann K, Behnke B, Schulze-Osthoff K. Plant extracts from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), an antirheumatic remedy, inhibit the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB. FEBS Lett. 1999 Jan 8;442(1):89-94. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)01622-6. PMID: 9923611.

Dasarathy S. Cause and management of muscle wasting in chronic liver disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2016 May;32(3):159-65. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000261. PMID: 26974417; PMCID: PMC5653274.

Kandis, Hayati & Karapolat, Sami & Yildirim, Umran & Saritas, Ayhan & Gezer, Suat & Memişoğullari, Ramazan. (2010). Effects of Urtica dioica on hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury in rats. Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil). 65. 1357-61. 10.1590/S1807-59322010001200021.

Mahlangeni, N.T., Moodley, R. & Jonnalagadda, S.B. Nutritional value, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of nettles (Laportea alatipes and Obetia tenax). Sci Rep 10, 9762 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67055-w

Dyall-Smith, Delwyn, MD. (2011). Mortorell Ulcer. Retrieved from https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/martorell-ulcer/

Qayyum, R., Qamar, H.MuD., Khan, S. et al. Mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive properties of Urtica dioica . J Transl Med 14, 254 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-016-1017-3

Cohen,Richard A., Weisbrod,Robert M., Gericke,Marion, Yaghoubi,Mohammad, Bierl,Charlene, Bolotina,Victoria M. (1999/02/05). Mechanism of Nitric Oxide–Induced Vasodilatation. doi: 10.1161/01.RES.84.2.210. American Heart Association 2021/06/06 https://doi.org/10.1161/01.RES.84.2.210

Capucine Bourgeois, Émilie A. Leclerc, Cyrielle Corbin, Joël Doussot, Valérie Serrano, Jean-Raymond Vanier, Jean-Marc Seigneuret, Daniel Auguin, Chantal Pichon, Éric Lainé, Christophe Hano. Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) as a source of antioxidant and anti-aging phytochemicals for cosmetic applications, Comptes Rendus Chimie, Volume 19, Issue 9, 2016, Pages 1090-1100,

ISSN 1631-0748, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crci.2016.03.019.
Salmon JK, Armstrong CA, Ansel JC: The skin as an immune organ. West j Med 1994; 160:146-152

University of Illinois at Chicago. (2019, July 31). Boosting the anti-inflammatory action of the immune system. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 6, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190731102220.htm

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