Nettle Leaf Tea
The Benefits of Drinking Nettle Leaf Tea
Nettle leaf tea has been prepared for literally thousands of years as an alternative remedy for several minor health issues. The leaves of the stinging nettle are infamous for delivering a nasty stinging sensation when the bristles of the leaves are touched. As a defense mechanism, the hairs on this plant are supplied with tiny amounts of venom which cause the skin to swell, turn red, and itch or burn. Symptoms, however, do not last long and will in no way be contracted through drinking nettle leaf tea as the leaves no longer pose a threat once rinsed and prepared. Let’s take a look at the benefits that the nettle has to offer, as well as directions for brewing a cup of nettle tea.
One of the most coveted benefits that can be reaped from drinking tea made from nettle leaves (and sometimes roots) is its ability to sooth arthritis pain. Nettle leaf tea contains a great deal of anti-inflammatory substances, and in conjunction with boron and silicon, which are also found in this tea, work to ease the pain brought on by arthritis, gout, and tendinitis. Some say that relief can also be found by rubbing nettle leaves directly against the affected area, but this can be painful as one would first have to tough it out through the nettle’s sting. Tea is a much more convenient and painless way to get the same results.
Nettle leaf tea is considered to be a good all-around tea for women, and has been for many years. It reportedly reduces bloating and water retention during menstruation and also helps to lighten heavy bleeding. The Native American women particularly used the nettle throughout pregnancy to help combat the chances of hemorrhaging. In modern times, nettle tea is still being consumed during pregnancy but for a wide number of reasons. The first, and perhaps most helpful, is the nettle’s diuretic abilities. This means that it helps the body urinate more often, which take a load of work off the kidneys. The kidneys have to cleanse about 1.5 times more blood than usual throughout a pregnancy, so you can see how beneficial this added detoxification can be! Nettle tea is also rich in vitamins A, C, D, and K and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron—all of which are in high demand by an expectant mother’s body. It is also believed that the nettle’s anti-inflammatory properties can help relief hemorrhoids, leg cramping, and muscle pains in the uterus after childbirth.
Nettle tea has also been consumed to tame outbreaks of eczema, hay fever, allergies, and sinusitis. Many people today use nettle tea as a soothing treatment for general upset stomach and digestive issues such as diarrhea. It is also believed that drinking two cups of nettle tea a day will help new mothers stimulate the production and richness of breast milk.
Nettle leaf tea can be purchased very cheaply from online stores; however you should be able to find a few selections from a local herbalist or health food store. To prepare the tea in bag form, simply place the tea bag in the cup, boil some water, then pour it over the bag. Let it steep for about five minutes, and then remove the bag. To add a bit of flavor to your cup, you can add sugar, lemon, or honey. If you want to prepare the tea from leaves, the general serving is two to three teaspoons of the dried, prepared leaves per cup. Pour the boiling water over the leaves and allow it to steep for a minimum of 10 minutes. Remove the leaves from the cup before drinking and then sweeten as desired.
As you can see, the nettle has a lot more to offer than irritation and stinging to unsuspecting passersby! If you are pregnant, taking medication, or suffer from a serious health condition, it is recommended that you first consult your doctor before consuming nettle tea on a regular basis.