Q. A couple of months ago I read a letter in your column about a man with allergies. Because of an enlarged prostate, he couldn’t take the usual over-the-counter antihistamines.
You suggested the herb “stinging nettle” as a substitute that might relieve allergy symptoms and improve the flow of urine. My husband looked these stinging nettles up and began taking them. He has improved 100 percent in both his allergy condition and his prostate symptom of frequent urination. In addition, his PSA number has come down!
The urologist said, “Yes, I’ve heard of it, and it helps some but not others.” We are so glad you mentioned this herbal medicine, and we have shared the information with others.
A. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has a long history in folk medicine as a diuretic and an expectorant. Scientific studies have confirmed that extracts of stinging nettle increase urine flow and help alleviate symptoms of prostate enlargement and nasal allergies.
