Stinging Nettle for Urinary Tract Health

Research suggests that stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) may offer modest benefits for urinary tract health, particularly in the context of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and kidney stone prevention, though the evidence remains preliminary and inconsistent. Studies include a 2000 meta-analysis of 44 randomized trials that found the evidence for stinging nettle in BPH to be too limited or poorly reported to draw firm conclusions, while more recent preclinical work — including a 2019 animal study and a 2026 laboratory study using nettle as part of a multi-ingredient formulation — reported reductions in urinary oxalate levels, calcium oxalate crystal formation, and BPH-related inflammatory markers. The available human-level evidence is sparse, with most supportive findings coming from animal models, laboratory experiments, and combination products that make it difficult to isolate nettle's individual contribution. Overall, the research base is characterized by mixed findings, methodological limitations, and a heavy reliance on preclinical data, meaning that firmer conclusions about stinging nettle's effectiveness for urinary tract health will require well-designed clinical trials in humans.