Nettle for Hair: Is It Worth Using for Hair Loss?

From ancient herbal teas to trendy scalp oils, nettle for hair has been marketed as a natural way to slow down hair shedding and promote regrowth. But does stinging nettle actually help with hair loss?

In short, no. While nettle has some promising properties, there’s little evidence it can help with hair loss.  

Below, we break down the benefits and side effects for hair health. We also look at some alternative hair regrowth treatments. 

Also known as stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), this leafy green plant is a popular home remedy for many ailments.

It’s packed with vitamins A, C, K, and several B vitamins, plus minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and silica — all of which may be beneficial for healthy hair (and your overall health and wellness). 

Nettle also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

So, on paper, nettle looks like a solid addition to a hair-friendly routine. But is it enough to actually stop hair loss? Let’s dig deeper.

Let’s break down the (alleged) benefits of stinging nettle for hair health. 

In one study, nettle extract improved human hair growth. But it’s not clear why. And the study is an ex vivo study. That means researchers studied hair follicles extracted from a human, and not in a living human.  

Below, we’ll go through the claims about nettle and explain how it could benefit your hair and scalp health. 

1. May Help Reduce DHT

According to research, nettle root may block 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The key word is may.

DHT is the main hormonal culprit behind androgenetic alopecia — also known as male pattern baldness or male pattern hair loss. For this reason, the logic goes that blocking DHT = less hair shedding.

Hair loss aside, DHT also plays a role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that causes an enlarged prostate gland. 

While some research suggests nettle extract could help with BPH, there’s less research to prove nettle actually slows or reverses hair loss.  

Translation: it’s promising, but not conclusive.

2. Nutrient Boost for Hair Health

Certain nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss. For most people eating a balanced and varied diet is enough to meet nutritional needs. 

But, if your hair is thinning due to nutritional deficiencies, you may need to take supplements to fill in gaps in your diet. 

Nettle is rich in nutrients your hair loves: 

• Iron (which helps carry oxygen to follicles)

• Magnesium (which supports protein synthesis)

• Silica (linked to hair strength)

• Vitamin A

• B vitamins

• Vitamin C 

3. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

As mentioned earlier, nettle may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. 

Here’s why this can be helpful for scalp health:

• Anti-inflammatory compounds can counteract scalp and hair follicle inflammation.  Chronic scalp inflammation, which can happen with scalp conditions like dandruff, can disrupt the hair growth cycle.

• Antioxidants help neutralize oxidative stress, which can weaken hair follicles over time and accelerate hair fall.  

So, nettle might help calm an inflamed or itchy scalp, especially if you apply it topically using a nettle shampoo or scalp rinse.

4. Potential to Improve Blood Flow

Some herbalists believe nettle can stimulate scalp circulation, helping bring nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. 

But, there’s literally zero evidence supporting the idea that nettle improves blood circulation in the scalp. So, take this claim with a grain of salt.

You’ve got two options: Use nettle orally or topically. 

Oral nettle works from the inside out, potentially balancing hormones and correcting deficiencies. Topical nettle targets the scalp directly. 

Topical nettle hair products include:

• Nettle-infused shampoo or conditioner

• Nettle scalp oils and serums

• DIY nettle hair rinses

If you want to take nettle orally, you can use: 

• Nettle supplements (in capsule or tablet form)

• Nettle tea

• Tinctures or liquid extracts

Because there’s so little research on nettle for hair loss, it’s not clear whether it’s best to use it topically or orally (or to mix it up and use both). 

DIY Nettle Hair Rinse Recipe

Want to try nettle for yourself? Here's an easy homemade scalp rinse recipe:  

1. Steep 2 tablespoons of dried nettle leaves in 2 cups of boiling water for 20–30 minutes.

2. Let the liquid cool completely.

3. Strain the leaves and pour the rinse into a bottle.

4. After shampooing, pour the rinse over your scalp and hair.

5. Massage gently, leave on for 5–10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Use the rinse once or twice a week. But again, don’t expect it to reverse baldness. 

While nettle is generally safe, there are a few things to watch out for — especially if you’re using it frequently or long-term.

The side effects of using nettle topically include: 

• Skin irritation or rash

• Contact dermatitis 

• Dry scalp

The potential side effects of consuming nettle orally include: 

• Upset stomach or diarrhea (with large doses)

• Low blood pressure 

• Low blood sugar

• Kidney issues

Bottom line? Patch test topical products, and always consult a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement — especially if you’re already on medication.

Nettle has potential, sure. But if you’re losing hair and actually want to see regrowth, it’s time to look at treatments that have been clinically proven to work.

Here’s what’s worth your time: 

• Finasteride (Propecia^®). Finasteride blocks DHT, the hormone behind male pattern hair loss. Oral finasteride is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat male pattern baldness. It’s available by prescription only.

• Minoxidil (Rogaine^®). Minoxidil is an FDA-approved treatment that improves blood flow to hair follicles and extends the growth phase of the hair growth cycle. Topical minoxidil can be bought without a prescription.   

• Minoxidil and finasteride. You can use both finasteride and minoxidil at the same time to reduce hair loss. Try our topical finasteride and minoxidil spray. 

• Hair care products. Some shampoos and conditioners contain DHT-blocking ingredients — like our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto. 

• In-office treatments. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments and laser hair therapy might stimulate hair follicles and improve hair density over time. However, these require multiple sessions and can be pricey. 

Need help figuring out your treatment options? Speak with a healthcare practitioner, like a dermatologist or GP. They can help assess the cause of your hair loss and recommend a treatment program.

If you’d like to know more about treating hair loss, check out our blog posts on natural remedies for hair loss and how to get thicker hair.

So, is nettle root for hair loss worth trying? We’d recommend skipping it and going straight for science-backed hair loss treatments, like finasteride and minoxidil. 

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Stinging nettle extract might have health benefits. Nettle is a popular home remedy thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also contains a range of vitamins and minerals.

• But there’s very little proof supporting the use of nettle for hair loss. Stinging nettle may reduce DHT, but it’s not clear whether it’s actually an effective treatment for hair loss. 

• There are plenty of proven alternatives. Together with a good hair care routine, hair loss medications like finasteride and minoxidil are your best bet for treating hair loss.

Since hair loss generally gets worse over time, don’t waste precious time (and hair) on trying unproven home remedies.

If you’re looking to stop hair fall and boost new hair growth, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional. They can help assess the cause of your hair loss and recommend an effective treatment program.

Don’t want to make an in-person appointment? You can take our hair loss quiz to determine your specific hair loss needs and connect with an online healthcare professional who can help.