# White Dead Nettle (Lamium album)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/white-dead-nettle
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-31
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** European
**Also Known As:** Lamium album, White archangel, Blind nettle, Dumb nettle, White lamium, Bee nettle, Adam and Eve, White dead-nettle, Archangel nettle

## Overview

White dead nettle (Lamium album) is a flowering herb whose primary bioactive compounds — iridoids, flavonoids (including kaempferol and quercetin), and phenylpropanoids — drive its medicinal activity. These constituents exert [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects primarily through COX-2 enzyme suppression and free-radical scavenging via phenolic [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) mechanisms.

## Health Benefits

• [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) support through COX-2 enzyme suppression (in vitro evidence only)
• [Antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity showing >90% virus replication suppression at 1.2 mg/ml (in vitro studies)
• [Antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) effects comparable to commercial standards via DPPH/ABTS assays (laboratory testing only)
• Traditional respiratory support for sore throats and coughs through mucilage content (historical use, no clinical trials)
• Wound healing and skin condition support through astringent tannins (traditional use only)

## Mechanism of Action

Flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin found in Lamium album inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activity, reducing downstream [prostaglandin](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) E2 synthesis and dampening the inflammatory cascade. Phenylpropanoid glycosides and tannins contribute to antioxidant activity by donating hydrogen atoms to neutralize [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), as measured by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. [Antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) action is attributed to polyphenolic compounds that appear to interfere with viral replication machinery, achieving greater than 90% suppression of replication at a concentration of 1.2 mg/ml in cell-based models.

## Clinical Summary

Available evidence for white dead nettle is predominantly preclinical, consisting of in vitro cell studies and laboratory assays rather than randomized controlled trials in humans. In vitro [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) studies demonstrate COX-2 suppression by Lamium album extracts, though no human trial data currently confirms effective dosing or clinical outcomes for this pathway. [Antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) replication suppression exceeding 90% at 1.2 mg/ml has been documented in cell culture, but bioavailability and equivalent human doses remain unstudied. Traditional European ethnomedicinal use — particularly for gynecological complaints, wound healing, and upper respiratory conditions — provides historical context but does not substitute for controlled clinical evidence.

## Nutritional Profile

White Dead Nettle (Lamium album) contains a range of nutritional and bioactive compounds. Macronutrients are modest: crude protein approximately 15-20% dry weight (young leaves), dietary fiber 8-12% dry weight, with low fat content (<2% dry weight). Carbohydrates contribute the remaining dry mass. Key micronutrients include potassium (approximately 300-500 mg/100g fresh weight), calcium (150-250 mg/100g fresh weight), magnesium (30-60 mg/100g fresh weight), iron (2-5 mg/100g fresh weight), and vitamins C (20-40 mg/100g fresh weight) and E (tocopherols, ~1-3 mg/100g fresh weight). Bioactive compounds are the primary area of interest: iridoid glycosides (lamalbide, aucubin) at approximately 0.5-1.5% dry weight; flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin glycosides at approximately 0.8-2.0% dry weight; phenylpropanoid glycosides (lamalboside, verbascoside) at 0.3-1.0% dry weight; phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid) at 0.5-1.5% dry weight; mucilaginous polysaccharides contributing to traditional respiratory uses at approximately 2-5% dry weight; tannins at 1-3% dry weight; and essential oil constituents (germacrene D, caryophyllene) in trace amounts (<0.1%). Bioavailability notes: flavonoid and phenolic acid absorption is moderate and enhanced by food matrix factors; mucilage compounds act primarily topically in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract with limited systemic absorption; iridoid glycosides show variable oral bioavailability; tannins may reduce protein and mineral bioavailability when consumed in quantity; all bioactive concentration data are approximate and subject to variation based on plant part, harvest season, geographic origin, and processing method.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available due to absence of human trials. Traditional preparations use unspecified amounts of dried flowers/leaves as infusions or tinctures. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

White dead nettle has a long history of food and medicinal use in Europe with no well-documented severe adverse effects at traditional dietary amounts, but formal human safety trials are lacking. Due to its [COX-2](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) inhibitory activity, theoretical additive effects are possible when combined with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) or anticoagulant medications such as warfarin, potentially increasing bleeding risk. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid therapeutic doses beyond culinary use, as uterine-stimulating effects have been attributed to the herb in traditional literature without rigorous confirmation. Individuals with known allergies to plants in the Lamiaceae (mint) family should exercise caution due to shared chemical constituents.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses have been conducted on Lamium album according to available research. Evidence is limited to in vitro assays showing [antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) and [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), plus one pilot pharmacokinetic study (2017) in healthy volunteers that assessed aucubin absorption but lacked therapeutic outcomes or adequate sample size details.

## Historical & Cultural Context

White dead nettle has been used for centuries in European herbal traditions and Ayurveda for skin conditions, respiratory issues, digestive soothing, and [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation). Historical applications span global traditional systems across Asia, Europe, and Africa, with aerial parts and flowers prepared as infusions, tinctures, or topical applications.

## Synergistic Combinations

Marshmallow root, Licorice root, Plantain leaf, Elderflower, Thyme

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is white dead nettle used for traditionally?

In European folk and traditional medicine, white dead nettle (Lamium album) has been used primarily for gynecological conditions including excessive menstruation and vaginal discharge, as well as for wound healing, upper respiratory catarrh, and urinary tract inflammation. Its aerial parts, especially flowers, were prepared as teas or poultices, and the plant appears in herbalist records across Central and Eastern Europe dating back centuries.

### Does white dead nettle have anti-inflammatory properties?

Laboratory (in vitro) studies indicate that Lamium album extracts suppress cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activity, which is a key step in prostaglandin-driven inflammation — the same target as common NSAIDs like ibuprofen. The flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin are considered the primary compounds responsible for this effect. However, no human clinical trials have confirmed whether this translates to measurable anti-inflammatory benefit at typical supplement doses.

### Can white dead nettle fight viruses?

In cell-based (in vitro) antiviral studies, Lamium album extracts suppressed viral replication by more than 90% at a concentration of 1.2 mg/ml, suggesting meaningful antiviral potential. Polyphenolic compounds in the extract are believed to interfere with viral replication mechanisms. These results are promising but have not yet been validated in human clinical trials, so it cannot be recommended as a treatment for any viral infection.

### What are the active compounds in white dead nettle?

The main bioactive constituents in Lamium album include flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin), iridoid glycosides, phenylpropanoid glycosides (such as lamiioside and forsythoside B), tannins, and essential oils containing monoterpenes. The flowers tend to contain higher concentrations of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids compared to leaves. These compounds collectively account for the herb's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities documented in laboratory research.

### Is white dead nettle safe to take as a supplement?

White dead nettle has a long history of safe use as both a food herb and traditional remedy in Europe, and no significant toxicity has been reported at culinary or low therapeutic doses. However, because it exhibits COX-2 inhibitory activity, combining it with NSAIDs or blood thinners like warfarin carries a theoretical risk of additive anticoagulant or gastrointestinal effects. Pregnant women and those on prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using concentrated extracts, as formal safety pharmacology data in humans is currently absent.

### Is white dead nettle safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

While white dead nettle has a long history of traditional use, clinical safety data during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited. Pregnant and nursing women should consult their healthcare provider before use, as mucilage-containing herbs may affect absorption of other substances. The traditional respiratory support applications do not necessarily indicate safety in these sensitive populations.

### Does white dead nettle interact with blood thinners or anticoagulant medications?

No significant interactions between white dead nettle and blood thinners have been documented in clinical literature, though comprehensive interaction studies are lacking. Individuals taking warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulants should consult their doctor before supplementing, as some herbal compounds may theoretically affect bleeding risk. Conservative caution is advised until more robust interaction data becomes available.

### What is the difference between white dead nettle extract and the dried herb form?

Dried herb preparations preserve the mucilage content beneficial for throat support but may have lower concentrations of active compounds, while standardized extracts can concentrate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components identified in laboratory studies. Extract forms typically offer more consistent dosing but lack the traditional preparation history of the whole dried herb. The optimal form depends on whether the goal is traditional respiratory support or targeted antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects.

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