Nettle Tea: History, Health Benefits, Side Effects, and Recipes

Stinging Nettle or Urtica diocia is a wild plant that is used to create nettle tea, its taste is similar to seaweed, albeit earthy and sweeter. Modern research suggests that stinging nettle is a versatile herb because of its numerous health benefits and the plant has been a staple in the herbal medicinal field for over a hundred years. Today, it is often used as an ingredient to various tea types, food, medicines, perfumes, and even skincare products. 

History of Nettle Tea

Stinging Nettle was first discovered 3000 years ago. Primarily, native Americans and Asians use the plant as their source of food and medicine. Herbalists from Egypt utilized the plant to combat illnesses such as arthritis, lethargy, coma, paralysis, and cholera. The plant is commonly added to teas served to monarchs during the ancient times as a remedy to stress and anxiety. 

In Denmark, it has been discovered by historians that nettle was found in the cloths used to wrap dead people, it is believed that the plant helps obscure the nasty smell. Roman soldiers are also fond of this plant, they usually bring this into the battlefield to heal the injuries of soldiers who suffered bomb attacks and gun wounds. Because of its tonic components, Nettle was also used as an antidote for poison during the 16th century. 

Health Benefits of Nettle Tea

Nettle is a plant that is rich in iron, polyphenols, and other minerals. This component is said to assist the body in blocking and easing chronic diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular complications. Though there is not enough data to support the claim, many health experts still recommend Nettle Tea as an antioxidant to flush out unnecessary chemicals and to cleanse the body. It is said that the plant also has rejuvenating effects on the skin and prevents cell damage. Additionally, Nettle is also used to relieve muscle and joint pain, menstrual cramps, allergies, and urinary tract infection. 

Proper Dosage and Side Effects of Nettle Tea

Nettle is considerably present in supplements, capsules, teas, and ointments, but too much of it can significantly harm the body. For oral medicines, a safe dosage of Nettle supplements to treat an enlarged prostate is in the range of 300 to 900 milligrams. Nettle ointments that cure dermatitis and skin allergies are not advisable to apply every day on the affected area, its side effects will cause skin irritation and rashes. Better talk to the health provider to consult about when and how to apply these ointments to the skin. 

On tea, nettle leaves are soaked to boiling water for 10 minutes, it can be repeated three to four times a day for it to be consumed. Used leaves for infusion can be stored inside a refrigerator for up to 8 months, individuals can wrap the leaves with moist tissue paper and put it inside a ziplock or plastic bag before refrigerating them. 

However, nettle tea is not advisable to drink or consume for pregnant women and mothers who are practicing breastfeeding. Nettle also has a strong effect in lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, people who consume nettle every day should monitor their glucose levels and blood pressure to avoid getting further complications. Aside from that, there’s minimal evidence that nettle also causes bad side effects like diarrhea, kidney problems, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. 

Best Nettle Tea Brands

Traditional Medicinals 

A brand that is topnotch in producing wellness teas, Traditional Medicinals hails from the coast of California, United States has been producing herbal goods from pure ingredients since 1974. The company is a pioneer in giving importance to a sustainable environment by practicing integrity and authenticity in their production process.

Traditional Medicinals also offer Nettle Tea as one of their tea flavors. The brand called this variant is said to be the Mother of All Spring Tonics. The tea’s rich identity in boosting the immunity of the person is helpful in energizing the body from its lethargic state. Traditional Medicinals’ Nettle Tea is sold in a box that contains 16 pieces of tea bags and it can be enjoyed up to four cups a day. 

Clipper Teas

Clipper Organic Tea started in 1984 from a couple in England that is tea-purists at heart, they sustained their dream of sharing their tea-experiences to the world by making tea bags filled with organic ingredients. The couple started exporting their first launched tea flavor Assam to their neighborhood cafes and local health shops.

In 1994, the brand gained the title of “UK’s First Fairtrade Company”, supplying their 150 tea products to over 50 countries. One of the tea varieties adored by their customers is Clipper Teas’ Organic Nettle. Sold in a package that contains 20 biodegradable tea bags, the Nettle Tea from Clipper’s has a warm light grassy flavor and it is naturally caffeine-free. Furthermore, Clipper Teas also offers a Nettle infused with Peppermint variant in their line up of tea products. 

Alvita

The brand Alvita is an abbreviation of the words Alfalfa and vitamins. The tea company started when a group of Alfafa enthusiast wants to extract the nutrients and minerals provided by the plant. They want other people to benefit from the healthy results the Alfalfa plant gives to the body with ease, thus the group comes up with the idea to sell Alfalfa in tea bags. Since then, the brand blossomed in manufacturing herbal teas with ingredients that are organically sourced from different continents. 

The brand has a reputation for choosing the best herbal plant that provides the highest health benefits. Therefore, Nettle Tea is included in the list of Alvita’s premium herbal teas. Recommended to consume thrice a day, the effect has relieves the usual muscle and joint pain, inflammation, and cramps. 

Mountain Rose Herbs 

Mountain Rose Herbs offers a diversity of Nettle products. The tea house specializes in producing Nettle plants in leaf, leaf powder, root, root powder form, and seeds. These products are used for teas, food, and tinctures. The Californian brand is the second-largest distributor of herbal teas in the U.S. Mountain Rose Herbs houses at least 1,500 herbal products ranging from balms, ointments, supplements, teas, salves, extracts, bath care, skin care products, and books about botany. Today, the company is striving to promote its zero-waste advocacy in their community and let people practice organic farming. 

Botanic Choice 

The organic Nettle Tea that is manufactured by Botanic Choice is harvested in Croatia and Bulgaria, a homage to its Northern European origin. Primarily, the nettle powder is filled in a bleach-free biodegradable tea bag. The brand boasts on using ethical methods in cultivating the plant that’s why they were able to preserve much of its nutritional source.

A cup of Nettle is enough to supply iron, potassium, zinc, and Vitamins A, B, C, and D. Botanic Choice has been in the market since 1929, providing healthy solutions to their consumers. They sell products and supplements that are helpful in preventing and managing visual problems, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, digestion problems, and heart diseases. 

Nettle Soup Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 leek (white part) chopped, 2 cloves of garlic chopped, 1 pound of sliced potatoes in ½ inch, 4 cups of chicken stock, ¾ kosher salt, ¼ white pepper, 2 cups of chopped nettle leaves, 2 tablespoons of fresh tarragon, 1 lemon, sour cream (optional), truffle oil (optional), 2 cups of sauteed wild mushroom and seasoned with salt and pepper (optional).

Tools

Medium pot, tongs, and ladle.

Steps

1. Step 1: Put the pot on medium heat and pan-fry the leek and garlic in olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes. 
2. Step 2: Slowly add the potatoes, chicken stock, kosher salt, and white pepper. 
3. Step 3: Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. 
4. Step 4: You can poke the potatoes and see if they are very tender if it does, you can now add the nettle leaves using the tongs. 
5. Step 5: Turn off the hit and stir the ingredients and let them wilt for 1 minute.
6. Step 6: Blend well the ingredients until it becomes smooth then add the fresh tarragon and a squeeze of lemon. If it must, add a bit of kosher salt and lemon squeeze. 
7. Step 7: To serve, put it in a clean bowl and add the optional ingredients: swirl it with sour cream, put a drizzle of truffle oil, or add the sauteed wild mushrooms for extra taste. 

Nettle Ade Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup of dried nettle leaves, boiling water, ice, 1 tablespoon of honey, ½ preserved lemon, and 1 cup of sparkling water. 

Tools

Mug or glass, teapot, strainer (if needed), and spoon. 

Steps

1. Step 1: To infuse, put the nettle leaves in a teapot and let it steep for at least 15 minutes
2. Step 2: Once done with the steeping, strain them from the water. 
3. Step 3: Put ice in a tall glass, 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ preserved lemon. 
4. Step 4: Pour in at least ½ cup of Nettle tea.
5. Step 5: Then finish it with sparkling water. Mix till you get the sweet citrus taste. 

Sauteed Stinging Nettle Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound of nettle leaves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 large of sliced shallots (must be thinly sliced and in lengthwise), 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 4 cloves of minced garlic, ½ cup of water, zest of 1 medium lemon, and citrus juice of ½ medium lemon. 

Tools

Gloves, frying pan, tongs, solid turner, and a medium-sized plate. 

Steps

1. Step 1: Using the gloves, clean and soak the nettle leaves several times under cold water. 
2. Step 2: Pour the olive oil into the frying pan and let it heat. 
3. Step 3: Slowly add the kosher salt and shallots and stir for 2 minutes. 
4. Step 4: Then add the garlic and stir it again for 2 minutes until the shallots soften. 
5. Step 5: Using the tongs, put ½ of the nettle leaves and water into the pan. 
6. Step 6: Stir for two minutes until the nettle leaves start to wilt. Add the additional Nettle leaves and stir again for three minutes. 
7. Step 7: Once done, remove the pan from the heat. 
8. Step 8: Drizzle the sauteed nettle leaves with lemon zest and juice, salt, and ground pepper before serving. 

The nettle plant is reasonably good to consume on any occasion and its versatile uses can be maximized in different ways. It can be applied to teas, medicines, dishes, and body care products. To benefit from its array of health benefits, the easiest way for it to consume is through tea drinking. A cup of it daily can already relieve uneasiness felt all throughout and it is good to combat chronic and grave diseases. But one should also be careful in going beyond the recommended dosages for nettle tea sometimes has nasty side effects such as itchiness in the skin, diarrhea, and allergies.