The leaves and roots of the stinging nettle plant are used to make nettle tea, a herbal beverage. Depending on how you brew it, nettle tea is either an infusion or a decoction.
You can boil or steep nettles on their own or combine them with other herbs like raspberry leaves, lemon balm, peppermint, lemon peel, vervain, and alfalfa. Nettle tea tastes herbaceous and rich on its own, and some people have compared it to an earthy, sweet variation of seaweed.
The most well-known member of the genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae of nettle plants is the stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica).
They might not appear like the ideal herbal infusion at first. They have needle-like points that are very irritating to the skin, and they are the favourite food of caterpillars and butterflies.
Stinging nettles, on the other hand, make an excellent culinary herb and may be used for anything from pasta dishes to soups and stews to herbal drinks and tonics. Nettle leaves and roots can be eaten as food, drink, or supplements, or applied topically as a powder or juice.
Benefits of Nettle Tea
Provides Relief From Joint Pain
It has been demonstrated that nettles can reduce some osteoarthritis-related joint discomfort. They enable people to use fewer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) overall since they can be used safely in addition to NSAIDs. The subject of the study was stewed nettle leaves. More research is necessary to discover whether nettle-leaf tea also relieves joint discomfort.
Boosts Immunity
The immune system is strengthened by the antioxidant levels and vitamins A and C found in nettle tea. Bioactive substances like carotenoids, flavonoids (quercetin), vitamins, and minerals are present in nettle-leaf tea. These advantages include the capacity to develop and maintain a robust immune system as well as the herb's antioxidant qualities, which can counteract dangerous radicals and remove toxins from the body.
Anti-Inflammatory
Nettle tea is employed in herbal medicine to assist in reducing inflammation across the body's systems. This can help with the treatment and avoidance of inflammatory illnesses like lupus, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions.
Improves Heart Health
Nettles have vitamins and minerals that are thought to protect the heart. The plant contains beta-carotene, other carotenoids, and vitamins A and C. It may aid in preventing anaemia because of its high iron and vitamin C content, both of which encourage the body to produce more red blood cells. The flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, which can lower blood pressure and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, are also found in nettles. This prickly, leafy plant is a source of iron and potassium, and tea produced from it may help to relax blood vessels and promote good circulation.
Enhances Skin Health
Nettle has a long history of use in the treatment of skin irritations like eczema and acne due to the plant's antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and pain-relieving properties. It seems to ease irritation, lessen redness and swelling, and speed up healing. You can either drink the tea to receive these skin-clearing advantages or you can make a cup, let it cool, and then apply the liquid to your skin. However, topical nettle has been linked to allergic skin reactions, so use it sparingly at first to rule out any skin sensitivities.