What makes nettle such a powerful skin and hair care ingredient?

The humble stinging nettle isn’t always given a fair hearing. At this time of the year they pop up, voraciously growing everywhere from roadsides to flower beds, unassumingly by riverbanks and protectively alongside fields of crops.

While most of us spend our time gingerly avoiding them for fear of being stung, these common plants have powerful therapeutic properties that have made them a staple in everything from foods and tinctures, to skin and hair care across the centuries.

The Egyptians used nettle infusions to help treat conditions like arthritis (and some continue to use them today). Others find them helpful for hay fever, lowering blood pressure, helping to control blood sugar and helping wounds to heal. Our particular interest however, is in the benefits that nettles yield when it comes to skin and haircare.

The anti-inflammatory effects of stinging nettles are probably the most commonly reported benefit. There are studies being carried out to look at the clinical use of nettles in conditions like arthritis, but why would you want an anti inflammatory in your skin and haircare? In essence, it helps to protect the skin, hair and scalp as well as soothe and nurture sensitive skin.

Perversely, given their reputation, it’s the anti inflammatory effect of the stinging nettle that actually means it can help relieve pain. That’s why people often use nettle creams to relieve redness on the skin. Meanwhile, the combination of anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidant properties (more on that in a moment) and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc in nettles, show evidence of supporting scalp health and stimulating hair growth - perfect for shampoo and conditioner.

The term ‘antioxidant’ is thrown around a lot when it comes to skin and hair care, and often it’s misplaced. What we’re really talking about are ingredients that help to protect the body. In nettles, this is largely attributed to their high content of plant based phenols, which contribute to the healing process in the skin, support cell regeneration and offer protection.

A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) says: “Evidence suggests that people can benefit from plant phenolics obtained either by the diet or through skin application, because they can alleviate symptoms and inhibit the development of various skin disorders. Due to their natural origin and low toxicity, phenolic compounds are a promising tool in eliminating the causes and effects of skin ageing, skin diseases, and skin damage, including wounds and burns.”

What’s that saying - two minds are better than one? Well, something similar could be said for combining the healing powers of plants. While nettles are powerful on their own (many swear by simply steeping them in water for a post wash hair rinse), blending essential oils and plant extracts can really harness those benefits and elevate them.

For example, when nettle extracts and lavender essential oil are brought together, they work wonders for moisturising, toning and soothing itchy, flaky scalps giving you soft, shiny hair. Just think about that next time you’re skirting around the nettles while out walking!

Nettles are a key ingredient in our soothe and grow hair care duo due to nettle's skin and hair benefits: