What Gives Nettle Its Power?

Stinging nettle contains a surprisingly diverse mixture of natural compounds, and different parts of the plant have different chemical profiles.

Extracts made from nettle leaves are particularly rich in polyphenols. Important compounds include chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, caffeoylmalic and cichoric acids, together with flavonoids such as rutin and hyperoside. These substances provide much of the scientific basis for research into nettle’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The roots are chemically different from the leaves. They contain other groups of compounds, including phytosterols, lignans, coumarins and lectins. This distinction is important because some of the best-studied medicinal uses of nettle involve root extracts rather than the leaves.

Unlike many aromatic herbs, nettle is not an important essential-oil plant. It produces only tiny amounts of volatile oil, and its composition is highly variable. Most scientific and clinical research therefore focuses on leaf and root extracts rather than nettle essential oil.