If you’re a tea lover, nettle leaf may already be on your radar. It can be found in many medicinal tea blends, and for good reason! Nettle leaf has been used for thousands of years as a home remedy because it has several well-studied health benefits. It’s also delicious in a freshly brewed cup of tea – but more on that later.
Urtica Dioica, or Nettle, is a herbaceous plant known for having hairs coming off of its stems. With some species of the plant, the hairs sting when you touch them. This is what gives many subspecies the name ‘stinging nettle.’ So, what is nettle leaf good for, anyway? Let’s look at the history of nettle and how you can brew your own.
History of Nettle Leaf
To start, nettle’s origin dates as far back as the Bronze Age (3000 BCE–1200 BCE.) Nettle even made an appearance in the time of Julius Caesar, when his troops used it to stay awake through the night. Since then, nettle has been used as a source of food, textiles, and medicinal remedies.
While generally known for its medicinal properties, nettle also makes a great fabric. Europeans and Native Americans used the fibers from nettle leaves to create cloth, fishing nets, sails, and other goods. Nettle is also used in cheeses as a vegetarian substitute for rennet. The way we use nettle today is different from the past, even though it’s still used medicinally. For example, nettle is typically drunk in tea instead of eaten raw.
Health Benefits of Nettle Leaf
Nettle Has Polyphenols
When it comes to teas, the ones with medicinal properties are generally loaded with polyphenols. There are many health benefits to a diet rich in polyphenols. They can aid in digestion and also act as antioxidants. Polyphenols may also improve brain function.
It Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Those who suffer from inflammation want to do everything they can to reduce it. Nettle leaf tea has been considered a great home remedy for those with arthritis for many years. Research has shown that stinging nettle reduces the levels of inflammatory hormones in people with arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation also lists nettle as a suggestion to add to your diet to fight inflammation. Along with a cup of nettle tea, you can also apply a topical cream with nettle to help reduce inflammation.
Nettle Can Help if You Have Urinary Tract Problems
Since nettle is a diuretic, it may help to flush harmful bacteria out of the urinary tract. This could be helpful for those who get chronic UTIs. Not only does nettle flush out the bacteria, it can also help support the medications you’re taking for a UTI.
Nettle Leaf May Help Control Blood Sugar
Studies have shown that nettle leaf may help reduce blood glucose levels. This means nettle could be beneficial to those with type 2 diabetes. But if you are taking medication for diabetes, consult with your physician before taking nettle. It could result in a sudden drop in glucose levels, which could be dangerous.
PMS Symptoms Can Be Improved with Nettle Leaf Tea
Heavy periods, cramps, and other menstrual symptoms can be reduced with nettle tea. In fact, it’s typically recommended as a natural remedy for heavy periods. This is because when you have heavy periods, you can lose a large amount of iron. Low iron levels can result in anemia, causing fatigue and other problems. Nettle is rich in iron, so it can help replenish your iron levels.
Along with reducing heavy periods, nettle can also help with PMS and cramping. Your liver metabolizes most of the estrogen in your body, so when it isn’t functioning properly, you may have more intense PMS symptoms. Nettle improves liver function, which means it may help your liver metabolize estrogen better, resulting in fewer PMS symptoms.
What Does Nettle Taste Like?
Now that you know about some of the health benefits nettle can offer, you’re probably wondering what it tastes like. Simply put, nettle tastes similar to spinach. It has earthy tones and may not taste that great by itself, especially if you don’t like that type of thing.
The earthy flavor is accompanied by a slight tang, so think very flavorful spinach. Since this taste isn’t for everyone, nettle can be taken in a capsule supplement or found in a tea blend.
Are There Side Effects to Drinking Nettle Leaf Tea?
As with any home remedy, it’s important to look at the potential side effects of using nettle. If you have existing conditions such as arthritis, it’s always important to consult with your doctor before trying a new supplement.
Who Shouldn’t Drink Nettle Leaf Tea?
At the top of the list of people who should avoid nettle leaf tea are people on blood thinners and blood pressure medications. Remember how we mentioned that nettle can reduce menstrual bleeding? Nettle is also high in vitamin K, which can cause problems for people on blood-thinning medications.
Pregnant women should also avoid nettle leaf tea. This is because nettle can cause uterine contractions, which may result in a miscarriage. Children under 12 should also not drink nettle tea simply because there isn’t much research on what it can do to their bodies.
The Best Way to Brew Nettle Leaf Tea
If you’ve decided it’s time to try nettle leaf tea, you’ll need to know how to brew it, of course. It’s very easy:
● As with any tea, add your nettle tea leaves to water and bring it to a boil.
● The steeping time for nettle leaf tea is about 5 minutes.
● Once it’s done, pour it through a strainer, add your favorite sweetener, and there you have it!
Typically, you’ll find nettle combined with other herbs in tea. There are several different blends, but we recommend our Womb Ritual blend. This nettle tea leaf blend is designed to strengthen the uterine wall, balance hormones, and provide relief from PMS symptoms and cramps.
Along with nettle, this blend includes red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, red clover, rose hips, dandelion, chamomile, and lady’s mantle. Try some today!