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Botanical

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a common plant with stinging hairs whose leaves and root are used in herbal medicine.

Also listed as Urtica dioica, Radix Urticae, Common Nettle, Greater Nettle

Immune SupportLongevityOrgan FunctionHair & SkinCardiovascular

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Immune SupportModerateBNo linked study
Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study
Prostate HealthOrgan FunctionModerateBNo linked study
Hair GrowthHair & SkinSmallCNo linked study
Blood pressureCardiovascularSmallCNo linked study
Joint ComfortBone & JointSmallCNo linked study
All 8 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

Root or above-ground herb?

EMA assesses nettle root and herb separately. Root use concerns urinary symptoms from benign prostate enlargement, after medical exclusion of serious causes. This rests on long-standing use rather than conclusive trial evidence. 1

Why people take it

Immune Support17.6%
Essential Health16.9%
Men's Hormones10.7%
Detox9.8%
Energy9.6%
Organ Function6.1%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Does nettle raise testosterone?

The cited prostate trial found no change in testosterone. It does not support a testosterone-boosting claim. 2

Are interactions ruled out?

The root monograph lists none reported; that is not proof that every combination has been tested. 3

Is nettle tea equivalent to root extract?

No. The plant part and the specified preparation must match before research findings can be transferred. 1 4

Sources