Nettle Root Extract

Therapeutic Efforts Supplements & Lifestyle
#1

Guys,

I apologize as I wasn’t sure where to post this one.

Due to a rather desperate state of mind, I’ve asked for help from a naturopath, and he suggested using Nettle Root Extract. However, after taking one dose (on faith), I did some reading on the net and got scared again. Isn’t the biochemical effects of Nettle Root Extract exactly what Proscar/Finasteride does. If so, isn’t this as bad as taking Saw Palmetto, or hell - even Proscar again?

Quote:

“Stinging Nettle has been used for some centuries as hair tonic to stimulate new hair growth and bring back natural hair color. But researchers today are still studying the relationship between dihydrotestosterone (DHT) a hormone linked to hair loss in both men and women, and nettle. To date, no specific clinical studies have been conducted on this relationship, however, research does indicate that nettle can prevent testosterone from converting to DHT, the hormone also responsible for male-pattern balding. It is beleived that Nettle root extract contains chemicals which block 2 enzymes, 5a-reductase, which makes the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and aromatase enzyme, which makes estrogens. Studies showed that nettle root extract was effective in inhibiting these 2 enzymes which was a leading cause of hair loss.”

Hell - did I just poison myself again? Sorry but this is just getting frustrating as hell.
Any illumination - even just to tell me that I haven’t just screwed myself for another couple of years - would be a great comfort.

Thanks, as always,
TB

#2

I wouldn’t worry about taking it once or twice, but if you were taking it longterm then it might start to have some effects. However, I doubt it has anywhere near the potency of a pharmaceutical like Finasteride.

Nettle Root supposedly unbinds Free T from SHBG so thats likely why they prescribed it. Another supplement (Avena Sativa, aka wild oats) supposedly does this as well but does not operate as a 5AR inhibitor.

Note I have no experience with any of these so can’t comment on if they make any difference.

#3

Mew,

   Thanks for your input. It is good just to be able to have a sounding board on these things. Since most of us are stumbling in the dark about our conditions and what to do about it, every bump can sometimes feel traumatic.

I’m backing off the Nettle Root for now as I’ve just started seeing a pretty good naturopath in Vancouver who is aware of Finasteride’s evil.
I am taking the following and it’s too early to tell if it helps but:

  1. indole-3
  2. Trans Reversatol (extract from grapes)
  3. Broccoli treatment
  4. Liver cleanse
  5. Maca

I’ll let you guys know if anything here helps.

Cheers,
TB