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Dietary supplement

Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for enlarged prostate (bph) symptoms, seasonal allergies, joint pain and arthritis.Based on those ingredients, 164 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Stinging Nettle. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg by Swanson

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: stinging nettle root at 500 mg per capsule. The supplement also includes several inactive ingredients — gelatin (the capsule itself), microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica — which are standard fillers and binders used to hold the capsule together and keep the powder flowing smoothly during manufacturing.

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: comprehensive approach to prostate health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Urinary tract infections (UTIs), urinary frequency, urinary flow.
  • The closest evidence on file: Stinging Nettle is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Stinging Nettle is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Stinging nettle is possibly effective for diabetes — research suggests it might help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. For hay fever, anemia, asthma, benign prostate enlargement, and gingivitis, the evidence isn't established in the data we hold, so we can't rate how well it works for those conditions.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Stinging Nettle

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

When taken by mouth as directed, stinging nettle is generally well tolerated by most adults, though the quality and evidence vary between products. The most common side effects are constipation or diarrhea.

A small number of case reports describe rare liver injury in people who took herbal products containing stinging nettle mixed with other ingredients, though it's not clear stinging nettle alone was the cause. During pregnancy, stinging nettle is rated likely unsafe — traditional concerns about effects on the uterus mean it should be avoided.

Safety during breastfeeding has not been established, so avoid it until you talk with your doctor about whether it's right for you. If you handle the fresh plant directly, you may get local itching, rash, or stinging where the leaves touch your skin.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Stinging Nettle

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Stinging Nettle.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 164 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take antidiabetes drugs (risk of low blood sugar), diuretics or water pills (additive water-loss effect), lithium for mood disorder (risk of lithium buildup), or warfarin or other blood thinners (risk of reduced blood-thinning effect). These are moderate-severity interactions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take diabetes medications, blood thinners like warfarin, water pills, or lithium, this supplement is not a casual add-on — you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first. For anyone else, stinging nettle root appears to be generally well tolerated when used as directed, though the evidence for most conditions is thin.

Talk it over with your healthcare provider before starting.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 16, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614019680
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 16, 2022
DSLD ID 266970
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
087614019680
IngredientAmount% DV
Stinging Nettle500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

swanson.com or call 1-800-437-4148

Science-Backed Quality Since 1969

Formulation

Comprehensive approach to prostate health Promotes healthy urinary tract flow and frequency Supports respiratory health

Prostate and Urinary Tract health

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule once daily with water.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

Consult your healthcare provider before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Contains sulfur/sulfites.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Formula

500 mg per capsule

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

See for yourself

Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg by Swanson label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg by Swanson

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Stinging Nettle

Interacts with
164 drugs
500 mg per serving

Stinging nettle is a common plant used as food and in traditional medicine, most often for prostate symptoms, allergies, and joint pain. The evidence...

Stinging Nettle monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
164Drugs
164 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Stinging Nettle4 drug types · 164 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, stinging nettle might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Clinical research shows that stinging nettle might decrease blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, combining stinging nettle with diuretic drugs may have additive effects.
Animal research suggests that the above ground parts and roots of stinging nettle may have a diuretic effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, stinging nettle might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.
Animal research suggests that stinging nettle has diuretic and natriuretic properties, which could alter the excretion of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

There is some concern that stinging nettle might decrease the effects of anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin.
Stinging nettle contains a significant amount of vitamin K. When taken in large quantities, this might interfere with the activity of warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg has a known interaction with 164 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Stinging nettle is rated likely unsafe in pregnancy due to traditional concerns about effects on the uterus, so avoid it. Safety during breastfeeding hasn't been established either — talk with your doctor before using it while nursing.
Does stinging nettle actually work for blood sugar?
Research suggests it may help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes, so it's rated possibly effective for that. For hay fever, anemia, asthma, enlarged prostate, and gum disease, the evidence isn't clear enough for us to say whether it works.
What side effects might I get?
Most commonly, constipation or diarrhea. If you touch the fresh plant directly, you may get localized itching, rash, or stinging that can last several hours. A very small number of case reports describe liver problems, though it's unclear whether stinging nettle alone was responsible.
Is this safe to take long-term?
Stinging nettle is generally well tolerated when used as directed, though the quality and safety evidence vary between products. There's no established long-term safety data we hold, so talk with your doctor if you plan to take it regularly.
What exactly is in this capsule besides the nettle?
The capsule contains gelatin (the shell), microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica — standard inactive ingredients used to make the supplement stable and easy to swallow.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Stinging Nettle Root 500 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 23 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Stinging Nettle 23 references
  1. Monographs on the medicinal uses of plant drugs. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Co-op Phytother, 1997.
  2. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  3. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  4. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.
  5. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  6. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  7. Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990;56:44-7.
  8. Vontobel HP, Herzog R, Rutishauser G, Kres H. [Results of a double-blind study on the effectiveness of ERU (extractum radicis Urticae) capsules in conservative treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. (Abstract). Urologe A 1985;24:49-51.
  9. Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, et al. Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. J R Soc Med 2000;93:305-9. PubMed
  10. Caliskaner Z, Karaayvaz M, Ozturk S. Misuse of a herb: stinging nettle (Urtica urens) induced severe tongue oedema. Complement Ther Med 2004;12:57-8. PubMed
  11. Krzeski, T., Kazon, M., Borkowski, A., Witeska, A., and Kuczera, J. Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses. Clin Ther 1993;15(6):1011-1020.
  12. Randall, C., Meethan, K., Randall, H., and Dobbs, F. Nettle sting of Urtica dioica for joint pain--an exploratory study of this complementary therapy. Complement Ther Med 1999;7(3):126-131. PubMed
  13. Tahri, A., Yamani, S., Legssyer, A., Aziz, M., Mekhfi, H., Bnouham, M., and Ziyyat, A. Acute diuretic, natriuretic and hypotensive effects of a continuous perfusion of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica in the rat. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;73(1-2):95-100. PubMed
  14. Sahin, M., Yilmaz, H., Gursoy, A., Demirel, A. N., Tutuncu, N. B., and Guvener, N. D. Gynaecomastia in a man and hyperoestrogenism in a woman due to ingestion of nettle (Urtica dioica). N.Z.Med.J. 2007;120(1265):U2803.
  15. Randall, C., Dickens, A., White, A., Sanders, H., Fox, M., and Campbell, J. Nettle sting for chronic knee pain: a randomised controlled pilot study. Complement Ther.Med. 2008;16(2):66-72. PubMed
  16. Rayburn, K., Fleischbein, E., Song, J., Allen, B., Kundert, M., Leiter, C., and Bush, T. Stinging nettle cream for osteoarthritis. Altern.Ther.Health Med. 2009;15(4):60-61.
  17. Oliver, F., Amon, E. U., Breathnach, A., Francis, D. M., Sarathchandra, P., Black, A. K., and Greaves, M. W. Contact urticaria due to the common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)-- histological, ultrastructural and pharmacological studies. Clin Exp Dermato PubMed
  18. Kulze, A. and Greaves, M. Contact urticaria caused by stinging nettles. Br.J Dermatol. 1988;119(2):269-270. PubMed
  19. Patten G. Medicinal plant review: Urtica. Aust J Med Herbalism 1993;5(1):5-13.
  20. Maor D, Little M. Skin contact with a stinging tree requiring intensive care unit admission. Contact Dermatitis. 2017 Nov;77(5):335-37. PubMed
  21. Easton L, Vaid S, Nagel AK, Venci JV, Fortuna RJ. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): An Unusual Case of Galactorrhea. Am J Case Rep 2021;22:e933999. PubMed
  22. Niazi B, Ahmed K, Ahmed M, Ali S, Song K, Elias S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury from Herbal Liver Detoxification Tea. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2022;16(3):612-617. PubMed
  23. Nnamani I, Tolu-Akinnawo O, Dufera RR, Akintunde A, Maliakkal B. Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi/Giloy)-Induced Liver Injury: A Case Review. Cureus 2023;15(5):e39793. PubMed

See these in context on the Stinging Nettle monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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