A recent study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggests that nettle leaves may offer relief from osteoarthritis pain. Researchers at the University of Plymouth in the United States conducted a trial involving 27 patients with osteoarthritis of the thumb.
The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a nettle leaf application or a placebo (a non-stinging leaf) for one week. The results showed a significant reduction in pain among those who received the nettle leaf treatment, both during the application and throughout the duration of the study. Notably, 85% of the patients considered the stinging sensation a tolerable side effect, preferring it to the pain of osteoarthritis.
While the exact mechanism behind this effect remains unclear, researchers believe that nettle leaves contain serotonin and histamine, neurotransmitters that may influence pain perception and transmission. However, the small sample size of the study calls for further research to confirm these findings.