Nettle Urtication: A Scientific Review

Farzollah Gholizadeh and Fariba Bayrami

Introduction

In traditional medicine sources, stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is regarded as a plant with a hot and dry temperament (in the second or third degree) and is described as a powerful natural aid for dispelling cold, dissolving thick humours and removing excess moisture from the body. Modern phytochemistry and biomedical research have also shown that its leaves and roots are very rich in biologically active compounds, including vitamins A, C, K and the B group; minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and silicon; powerful antioxidants; flavonoids (especially quercetin); and various phenolic compounds.

But nettle’s value is not limited to its use as a food or herbal supplement. One of the most interesting methods in ancient medicine is applying the plant directly to the skin. In modern medicine this is called urtication (nettle application or nettle stinging).

Lightly striking the feet, knees or joints with bunches of fresh nettle may at first seem uncomfortable, even painful. But research in modern medicine and neuroscience has explained the biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms behind this old method and shown how it produces beneficial effects in the legs.

This article looks in detail at the real, scientific effects of fresh nettle touching the skin of the feet and legs.

How It Works: What Happens When Nettle Touches the Skin?

The leaves and stems of the nettle are covered in thousands of microscopic, needle-like hairs (trichomes) made of silica. These behave like tiny ampoules that can inject under the skin.

When the plant touches or lightly strikes the skin, these fine, glass-like tips break and release their chemicals under the skin.

The main components of this biological mix are:

Histamine
Mainly responsible for redness, a feeling of warmth and widening of the blood vessels.

Serotonin and acetylcholine
They stimulate nerve endings, contributing to the burning, prickling sensation.

Formic acid
Also found in ant venom, it creates a controlled, local inflammatory response.

Leukotrienes
Biological mediators that help the vessel-widening effect last longer.

The Scientific Effects of Urtication on the Feet and Legs

Modern research shows that these simultaneous biochemical reactions have important effects on the muscles, connective tissue, joints and nervous system.

1. Reducing Chronic Pain by Depleting Substance P

One of the most striking scientific findings about urtication is its effect on substance P, which plays a key role in transmitting pain.

Substance P is a neuropeptide that carries pain signals from damaged joints and muscles to the central nervous system.

The intense stimulation from the nettle makes nerve endings rapidly release their stores of substance P. Once this reserve is used up, those nerve fibres cannot transmit pain signals effectively for a while.

This can last from a few hours to a few days.

A similar mechanism is used in capsaicin pain creams, but the effect of urtication is reported to start faster.

2. The Gate Control Theory of Pain

According to the gate control theory, accepted in neuroscience, the nervous system cannot process different sensory signals arriving at the same time with equal intensity.

The sudden, surface burning caused by nettle can suppress pain pathways at the level of the spinal cord and reduce the perception of deeper, chronic pain.

This is why it may help with:

• Pain from knee osteoarthritis
• Sciatica
• Chronic muscle and tendon pain

3. A Strong Boost to Circulation (Local Vasodilation)

Because the feet and calves are among the parts of the body furthest from the heart, circulation problems and poor venous return are more common there.

Thanks to the histamine in nettle:

• Capillaries widen
• Local blood flow increases markedly
• Oxygen and nutrients are delivered faster

Possible results include:

Less chronic coldness
People whose feet always feel cold may notice a temporary rise in warmth.

Support for tissue repair
More blood reaching joints, ligaments and tendons can support healing.

Clearing metabolic waste
Lactic acid and other metabolic waste that build up in the muscles may be cleared more easily through the circulation.

4. Stimulating the Immune System and Secondary Anti-inflammatory Effects

The mild local inflammation caused by nettle is perceived by the body as a small tissue injury (microtrauma).

In response, the body sends:

• White blood cells
• Macrophages
• Tissue-repair proteins
• Natural anti-inflammatory factors

This biological response is thought to help suppress some chronic inflammatory processes.

Which Foot and Leg Problems May Benefit Most?

Clinical observations and studies suggest that applying fresh nettle can give notable results especially in the following conditions.

Knee osteoarthritis

In controlled studies, people who applied fresh nettle leaves to the knee joint showed a significant drop in pain scores.

Some patients reported needing less of

• ibuprofen,
• diclofenac

and similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Sciatica and nerve pain

Light applications along the path of the sciatic nerve (back of the thigh, calf and ankle) may ease:

• Electric-shock-like pain
• Tingling
• Numbness

Chronic coldness and poor circulation

In people with a cold temperament or poor circulation in the limbs, urtication can have a strong warming effect.

Calf cramps

By boosting circulation, it may help ease calf cramps, especially at night.

How to Do It Correctly and Safely

The method used in scientific studies is not harsh or traumatic.

The general method is:

Wear thick protective gloves to hold the fresh nettle stem.

The plant must be fresh; dried nettle has lost most of its active stinging hairs.

The leaves are lightly brushed over, or very gently tapped against, the painful area (for example around the knee, thigh or calf) for about 30–60 seconds.

Redness, burning and small hive-like bumps appear quickly.

The pain-relieving effect usually starts to be felt within about 15–30 minutes, once the initial burning fades.

The relief can last from a few hours to a few days.

Contraindications and Precautions

Although there is scientific and clinical support for it, this method is not suitable for everyone.

Do not use it in the following situations:

Open wounds and skin infections

Do not apply it to areas with cuts, wounds, eczema or psoriasis.

In these cases there is a risk of:

• Severe irritation
• Secondary infection
• Excessive inflammation

Diabetic neuropathy

People with nerve damage from diabetes may feel less pain, which raises the risk of:

This is why it may help with:

• Skin damage
• Excessive inflammation
• Tissue injury

Advanced vascular disease

Always get a specialist’s advice if you have:

• Advanced varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Advanced atherosclerosis

Strongly stimulating the circulation can be risky for some people.

Severe allergic tendency

Take care if you have previously had a serious allergic reaction to:

• Bee stings
• Ant or insect bites
• Histamine (strong reactions)

Although rare, whole-body reactions, shortness of breath and serious allergic reactions can occur.

Conclusion

Traditional nettle treatments have been part of folk medicine for centuries. Today, research in neuroscience, physiology and phytotherapy shows that this is not just a traditional belief: it may work through measurable biological mechanisms such as suppressing pain signals, widening blood vessels, boosting circulation and stimulating the immune system.

It can be considered a supportive method especially for knee osteoarthritis, sciatica, chronic coldness and some musculoskeletal complaints. However, people with serious vascular disease, diabetic neuropathy or a strong allergic tendency should not use it without specialist advice.

References

• Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, Hutton C, Sanders H. Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2000;93(6):305-309.
• Chrubasik JE, Roufogalis BD, Wagner H, Chrubasik S. A comprehensive review on the stinging nettle effect and efficacy profiles. Part II: Urticae radix. Phytomedicine. 2007;14(7-8):568-579.
• Ezzati M, Yousefi M, Karaçelik AA, et al. Urtica dioica: Traditional uses and pharmacological effects. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2021;26:100418.
• Upton R. Stinging nettles leaf (Urtica dioica L.): Extraordinary vegetable medicine. Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy. 2013;13(1):9-38.
• Bone K, Mills S. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2013. pp. 860–875.
• Yarnell E. Botanical medicines for the urinary tract. World Journal of Urology. 2002;20(5):285-293.

Whether this method suits you depends on your temperament and circulation. To find out your temperament, take our free temperament test ; and for another traditional method used against cold, read our article on ear rubbing (gushmal) .