{"id":3205,"date":"2017-03-27T14:52:38","date_gmt":"2017-03-27T14:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.testofuel.com\/tf\/?p=3205"},"modified":"2017-03-27T14:52:38","modified_gmt":"2017-03-27T14:52:38","slug":"does-stinging-nettle-increase-testosterone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.testofuel.com\/tf\/does-stinging-nettle-increase-testosterone\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Stinging Nettle Increase Testosterone?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stinging nettle<\/strong><\/em> is a popular folk remedy used in disorders ranging from asthma to hair loss.<\/p>\n

It can be a nasty plant that causes rashes and numbness if you touch it, but it is also packed full of bioactive compounds that promote health and well-being.<\/p>\n

Nettle root extract is a\u00a0common ingredient in testosterone boosters too, with manufacturers promising that it can inhibit hormones that bind to testosterone, making more of it available in your bloodstream.<\/p>\n

But with limited studies available, does stinging nettle really\u00a0boost testosterone levels and are these claims based on any clinical evidence at all?<\/p>\n

Let’s find out…<\/p>\n

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What is Stinging Nettle Root?<\/h2>\n

Also known by its botanical name\u00a0Urtica dioica<\/em>, stinging nettle root belongs to the Urticaceae family.<\/p>\n

It is characterized by a strong, green stem and soft-to-the-touch leaves. It is tall in the summer months and dies down to ground level in colder seasons.<\/p>\n

You’ve probably come across stinging nettles as a young child whilst out exploring. They are the plants that give you a painful rash if you come to into contact with them.<\/p>\n

How do nettles sting?<\/h3>\n

Stinging nettles are covered in hair-like cells called trichomes<\/strong><\/em>. These needle-like structures can pierce your skin when you touch them, causing chemicals such as serotonin and histamine to enter your bloodstream.<\/p>\n

If this happens, the chemicals combine to cause inflammation and pain. They create a feeling of tingling, numbness and burning often referred to as parasthesia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For this reason, you’ll often hear the plant called burn nettle<\/em> or burn weed<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Nutrient content<\/h2>\n

Stinging nettles are over 80% water and 5% protein. They contain a number of fatty acids and a range of amino acids including beta-alanine, glutamine, histidine, leucine and phenylalanine.<\/p>\n

You’ll also find a number of bioactive nutrients such as\u00a0sterols,\u00a0polysaccharide lignans<\/strong> and glycosides<\/strong> in the plant. These can all have an effect on the human body, therefore helping to boost health and wellness [1].<\/p>\n

Stinging nettle as a herbal remedy<\/h3>\n

Nettle can be used as\u00a0a medicinal product that has been used to treat a variety of human illnesses such as metabolic, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.<\/p>\n

In traditional folk medicine, nettle has been used to treat everything from gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea to asthma [2]. It has been reported to improve the following disorders:<\/p>\n