Evidence supporting the use of: Nettle
For the health condition: Menopause

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Nettle (Urtica dioica) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for a variety of conditions, including menopause. Traditional herbalists have used nettle to help alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, and mood swings, primarily due to its nutrient-rich profile (vitamins, minerals, especially iron and calcium) and its reputed anti-inflammatory properties. Nettle is thought to support overall vitality and hormonal balance, although specific mechanisms for menopause are not well defined in traditional texts.

However, scientific evidence supporting the use of nettle specifically for menopause is limited. Most clinical research on nettle focuses on its effects for benign prostatic hyperplasia, allergic rhinitis, or as a general anti-inflammatory agent. There have been few, if any, well-designed clinical trials investigating nettle’s direct impact on menopausal symptoms. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that nettle may have mild phytoestrogenic activity, but this has not been substantiated in large-scale human trials.
In summary, while nettle is used traditionally to support women during menopause, this practice is not strongly validated by current scientific research. Its general nutritional support may be beneficial for overall health during menopause, but its efficacy for specific menopausal symptoms remains largely unproven.

More about nettle
More about Menopause