Evidence supporting the use of: Nettle
For the health condition: Hair (loss or thinning)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Nettle (Urtica dioica) has a long-standing place in traditional medicine, particularly in European and Ayurvedic systems, for supporting hair health and addressing hair loss or thinning. Historically, nettle has been used both topically (as a hair rinse or oil infusion) and internally (as tea or tincture) with the belief that its rich content of vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (notably silica, iron, and magnesium), and antioxidants can nourish hair follicles, improve scalp circulation, and reduce shedding. Folk remedies often attribute nettle’s supposed hair-restorative properties to its ability to "purify the blood" and combat inflammation. Modern scientific research on nettle for hair loss is limited and not robust. A handful of in vitro studies suggest that nettle extracts may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is involved in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a hormone implicated in androgenic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss). However, these findings are preliminary and have not been validated in large-scale, high-quality human clinical trials. Some small studies and anecdotal reports suggest possible benefits, but the evidence does not meet the standards required for scientific validation. Therefore, nettle’s use for hair loss and thinning remains primarily traditional, with low-level scientific support at this time.

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