nettleNettle (Urtica dioica) may seem like an unwelcome and persistent guest in many people's gardens, and many of us remember the painful, stinging itchy rash that touching the nettle leaves produces. Still, nettle has fantastic beauty properties.

First of all, nettle makes a great tea; it may also come in the form of tinctures, tablets and capsules, as well as skin creams and ointments. The tea can be taken liberally. It is best avoided in pregnancy. Nettle may interfere with blood thinning drugs such as warfarin. Check with your doctor if you are on medicines to lower blood pressure. The fresh leaves may cause an allergic response in a small number of people, but this is not the case with dried leaves, which are considered safe and non-toxic.

The chemicals in nettle which cause stinging also produce an anti-inflammatory action within the body, reducing the pain of arthritis. Studies found that a compound in nettle called hox alphablocks cytokines - protein molecules involved with the inflammatory process. Nettle also contains inflammation-reducing histamines.

Beauty-wise, nettle can be used to treat conditions such as eczema. Research from the University of Maryland Medical Centre found that the astringent compounds in nettle reduce inflammation.

Nettle also has painkilling properties. The diuretic effect of nettle helps reduce excess fluids in the body, lowering uric acid levels in the blood, preventing gout and certain types of kidney stones, says Gabriella Clarke, qualified medical herbalist. Gabriella teams tradition with modern science and practises from her clinic in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire (UK).