Ingredient profile
Nettle Leaf in Vapofil: The Label Says Leaf, the Research Used Root
Vapofil lists 20 mg of nettle leaf extract per 2-capsule serving. The prostate research on stinging nettle used the root, not the leaf, and commercial nettle products typically give 300 to 600 mg a day. The sales page FAQ calls it nettle root, but the label says leaf, and the label wins. Nettle may add to diuretics and blood pressure drugs.
Written by the Vapofil editorial teamUpdated
The plant
What is nettle leaf?
Nettle leaf comes from stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, a common wild plant with hairs that sting bare skin. Supplements use two different parts of it: the leaves and the root. They are used for different things.
Nettle is not approved to treat any medical condition in the US. LiverTox says leaf extracts are used in foods and animal feed, while root extracts are the ones used for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (LiverTox, Stinging nettle).
| Label name | Nettle Leaf Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Urtica dioica leaf extract (stinging nettle) |
| Type | Leaf extract |
| Position on the label | Line 4 of 7 |
| Amount per serving | 20 mg per serving |
| What research shows | Prostate research used nettle ROOT; products are usually 300-600 mg a day. The leaf has no men's health trials |
| Strength of evidence | Wrong plant part for the research |
| Why it is in the formula (brand view) | The sales page FAQ calls it nettle root; the label says leaf |
| Main caution | May add to diuretics and blood pressure drugs, and one case of low blood sugar was reported. Avoid in pregnancy. |
Leaf or root
Is the nettle in Vapofil leaf or root?
Leaf. The label says so, even though the sales page FAQ says root.
The Supplement Facts panel lists "Nettle Leaf Extract, 20 mg." The sales page FAQ calls the same ingredient "Nettle Root." When the two disagree, we follow the label, which is the legal record of what is inside. Federal rules require the plant part on botanical listings (21 CFR 101.36, Supplement labels), and this line names it.
| Question | Nettle leaf (in Vapofil) | Nettle root |
|---|---|---|
| Main uses | Foods, animal feed; Health Canada lists diuretic, tonic, seasonal allergy and joint complaints | Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate |
| Men's health trials | None named; the leaf study MSK cites was in type 2 diabetes | Limited; reviews call it unproven |
| Health Canada adult dose | 1.2 to 18 g of dried herb tops a day | 0.3 to 24 g of dried root a day |
The dose
How much nettle is in Vapofil compared with typical products?
Two capsules give 20 mg. LiverTox says commercial nettle products are typically recommended at 300 to 600 mg a day (LiverTox, Stinging nettle), so Vapofil's amount is about one fifteenth of the low end. Health Canada's adult range for dried herb tops starts at 1.2 grams a day (Health Canada, Nettle monograph).
Those figures are product and monograph amounts, not doses proven to do anything for men. The comparison simply shows how small 20 mg is. Every ingredient's gap is laid out in the Vapofil dose guide.
The research
What does research say about nettle for men?
Not much, and almost none of it is about the leaf. A 2000 review found "no convincing evidence" that nettle helps an enlarged prostate. A 2007 review called it "promising yet unproven" (LiverTox, Stinging nettle). Both concern root extracts.
MSK describes the human data as limited. The prostate trial it names used a root extract, and a saw palmetto and nettle combination reduced night-time trips to the bathroom compared with placebo (MSKCC, Nettle). That result came from a two-herb blend and does not describe Vapofil's 20 mg of leaf.
The sales page makes sexual and hormone claims we do not repeat here. Each is checked against the evidence on the sales claims page.
Safety
Who should be careful with nettle?
Men on water pills or blood pressure medicine, people with diabetes, and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding.
Diuretics and blood pressure drugs
Animal data suggest nettle may add to the effect of diuretics and blood pressure medicines, MSK says (MSKCC, Nettle).
One case of low blood sugar
A 78-year-old man taking a nettle remedy for his prostate developed low blood sugar (MSKCC, Nettle). People on diabetes medicine should ask first.
Generally well tolerated
LiverTox reports no published cases of liver injury and rates it score E (LiverTox, Stinging nettle). Health Canada says not to use it during pregnancy or breastfeeding (Health Canada, Nettle monograph).
Erection problems can be an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, which is one more reason to talk with your doctor before starting any supplement. The side effects page covers the whole formula.
Quick check
Does the nettle in Vapofil mean you should ask a doctor first?
Six questions. Question four covers the nettle caution.
Fair verdict
Is the nettle leaf in Vapofil useful?
In its favor
- The plant part and amount are printed clearly.
- Nettle is generally well tolerated.
Against it
- The research on men used the root, not the leaf.
- 20 mg is a small slice of typical 300 to 600 mg products.
FAQ
Nettle leaf questions
What is the difference between nettle leaf and nettle root?
They are two parts of the same stinging nettle plant with different uses. Root extracts are the ones studied for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Leaf extracts are used in foods and animal feed and as a traditional diuretic. Vapofil's label lists the leaf.
Why does the Vapofil sales page say nettle root?
The sales page FAQ calls the ingredient nettle root, but the Supplement Facts panel says Nettle Leaf Extract, 20 mg. The label is the legal record of what is in the bottle, so we follow it. Ask the seller in writing if the plant part matters to you.
How much nettle should you take a day?
No dose is proven for men's health. LiverTox says commercial nettle products are typically recommended at 300 to 600 mg a day. Vapofil provides 20 mg of leaf extract, and the label says not to take more than two capsules daily.
Can nettle lower blood pressure too much with medication?
It might add to the effect. MSK cites animal data suggesting nettle may have additive effects with diuretics and blood pressure drugs. If you take either, ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting Vapofil or any nettle product.
Is stinging nettle safe for the liver?
LiverTox reports no published cases of liver injury from stinging nettle and rates it an unlikely cause. It is generally well tolerated in studies. Other Vapofil ingredients have their own cautions, including tongkat ali, a possible rare cause of liver injury.
Does nettle leaf help the prostate?
There is no good evidence that it does. Prostate research used nettle root, and reviews of that work found no convincing evidence or called it unproven. The only leaf study MSK mentions was in type 2 diabetes, not prostate symptoms.
Can you take nettle if you have diabetes?
Ask your doctor first. MSK reports a case of low blood sugar in a 78-year-old man taking a nettle remedy. If you use diabetes medicine, a doctor can tell you whether any nettle product, including the 20 mg in Vapofil, is sensible for you.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from the label, the sales page and linked public health sources.
Last updated . Our editorial standards explain how we check reviews. This website is run by Vapofildaily, a U.S. stocking partner for Vapofil, not by the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. Purchases through our order links earn us a commission.
Keep reading
More about Vapofil
Saw palmetto
20 mg of saw palmetto per day, the 320 mg trial dose, and what 27 studies found.
Read more
Side effects
What the research reports for each Vapofil ingredient, which medicines to watch and when to get help.
Read more
Supplement Facts
Every word on the Vapofil label, typed out, with the three lines that are easy to misread.
Read moreU.S. stocking partner for Vapofil
Ready to try Vapofil?
Pick a pack at checkout. 2 capsules a day, 30 days per bottle. Refund window: 60 days; get the terms in writing.
- CartPanda checkout
- 60-day refund window
- Free US shipping on 3 or 6
