03.17.10
The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) has released its quality control standards and therapeutic compendium for the popular botanical dietary supplement stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica L.) Nettles roots have historically been used for urinary complaints and the AHP Therapeutic Compendium provides a critical review of the traditional and scientific data. According to the review, while there is less than definitive data regarding the full clinical utility of nettles roots, data trend toward efficacy in its beneficial effects in treating prostate enlargement. In the Standards portion of the monograph, the compounds correlated with activity are similarly elusive, though there are indications for potential activity of a number of compounds including sterols, polysaccharides and Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA).
Each monograph establishes national standards for assuring authenticity, purity, and quality control of a botanical. Accompanying the standards is the AHP Therapeutic Compendium, which provides a complete and critical review of the pharmacological and safety data currently available, including information on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, actions, medical indications, historical and modern and traditional use, structure and function claims, dosages, interactions, side effects, contraindications, toxicology and more. For further information: www.herbal-ahp.org
