Nettle Tea Recipe: Hot and Iced Ways to Brew The Herb
Nettle leaf tea is an earthy and herbaceous tisane that is delicious when brewed hot or iced. The tea is a rich source of vitamins and minerals that make this tea as good for you as it is tasty. Find out more about this herbal tea and discover our favorite nettle tea recipes right here.
What Is Nettle Tea?
Nettle tea is made from the plant parts of the stinging nettle plant known by the botanical name Urtica dioica. Nettle plants are native to Europe, but can now be found across the globe. They are hardy plants that can be grown in most home gardens. While nettle plants may be a nuisance in gardens and for hikers, when brewed as a tea, this herb offers significant health benefits and flavor. The plant can be made using dried nettle of fresh nettle leaves and infusing them in boiling water.
Nettle tea offers a flavor profile similar to that of green tea. It has hints of grassy and earthy notes with an underlying hay flavor. The tea is mild and aromatic and can be paired with lemon, honey, and mint.
Uses and Health Benefits of Nettle Tea
Nettle tea offers health benefits thanks to anti-inflammatory properties and healthy compounds such as vitamins and minerals. Stinging nettle tea is a rich source of vitamin A and vitamin C, which are known to aid eye health and immune health. The anti-inflammatory properties may also help to decrease symptoms of pain in achy joints (1).
This herbal tea may also offer benefits for the urinary tract as research has shown it offers protective qualities against enlarged prostate and kidney stones (2). Research also indicated that regular use of stinging nettle products may help to reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies (3).
Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional before drinking herbal teas or using them as a natural remedy. Many of these teas may interact with medications or cause side effects, especially for people with medical conditions. Nettle tea contains high concentrations of vitamins A and K that may interfere with blood thinners by affecting blood pressure levels. Nettle leaf may also affect blood sugar levels and medications.
Simple Nettle Tea Recipe
If you choose to harvest nettle from your garden for a fresh brew, make sure to wear gloves to prevent the tiny spines from stinging your skin. You can also use dried nettle leaves or tea bags.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon dried nettle leaves
- 10 ounces of water
- Sweetener (honey, agave, brown sugar if desired)
Instructions:
- Bring water to a rapid boil in a pot on the stove.
- Turn the heat off and add the nettle leaves.
- Steep the herbal tea for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor will become.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove the nettle leaves. Pour the tea concentrate into a teacup or a mason jar.
- Add sweetener if desired and enjoy!
Iced Herbal Nettle Infusion
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons dried nettle leaves
- 2 tablespoons Cup & Leaf Chamomile Lemongrass Tea
- 2 tablespoons Cup & Leaf Mindful Moringa Tea
- 6 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
- Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan.
- Turn the heat down to low and add in the tea leaves and honey.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Then use a fine-mesh strainer to remove the tea leaves.
- Pour into a large glass pitcher and serve immediately in tall glasses filled with ice cubes. Store in the refrigerator for later use.
Brew Nettle Tea
Remember that harvesting nettles comes with the risk of the stinging nettle leaves causing a burning or itching sensation. Wear gloves and long sleeved clothing when harvesting the fresh leaves for tea making. Brewing stinging nettle tea is quick and easy and the mild flavor means it pairs well with other notes. Pour yourself a cup of nettle tea and enjoy the hay-like flavor with grassy and earthy notes.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1298033/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3589769/
3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2763
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