How to Make Nettle Tea

People have consumed nettle tea throughout history to treat conditions such as colds, asthma, skin disorders and allergies. Nettle is also useful as a disease preventative, and it contains beneficial nutrients. You can buy prepackaged, dried nettle tea, but it is simple to make the tea from fresh nettles. Fresh herbs retain more of their nutrients than dried varieties.

You can find wild nettles in shady, moist areas. They like to grow on the edges of fields and are most common in the Pacific Northwest. You can also grow nettles at home in containers. Try brewing your own tea and enjoy the health benefits and unique taste that this plant offers.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh Nettles
• Gloves
• Scissors
• Sauce pan
• Tong or strainer
• Cup or mug
• Sugar and lemon

Instructions

1. Pick fresh nettles. Do this by hand or with scissors. Nettles have small needles that can be painful, so wear gloves, if you choose. Pick the youngest nettles to avoid the bitterness that comes with older ones.

2. Wash the nettles in cold water. This will remove traces of dirt or pesticides.

3. Place the nettles in a saucepan, and add enough water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil and let simmer until the water turns light green.

4. Remove the nettles with tongs or strain the water into a clean mug.

5. Sweeten the tea to your taste. Add lemon if you like. Lemons change the color of the tea from green to pink.

Tips & Warnings

• Test-sip a small amount of tea for an allergic reaction if you have not had it before.

• Do not let children handle the fresh nettles with bare hands to prevent stinging.

References

• How to Make Nettle Tea
• Nettle Tea Benefits
• About Nettles