Most people mainly know nettles as that stinging, annoying plant that you find everywhere and nowhere. Fewer people know that nettle is healthy. Nettle is known in herbal medicine for its antihypertensive properties. There are various uses of nettle, such as nettle tea. You can make nettle tea yourself. Most people mainly know nettles as that stinging, annoying plant that you find everywhere and nowhere. Fewer people know that nettle is healthy. Nettle is known in herbal medicine for its antihypertensive properties. There are various uses of nettle, such as nettle tea. You can make nettle tea yourself.
Nettles
The official name of the nettle family is Urtica. There are many nettle species. The best-known members of the nettle family are the large nettle (Urtica dioica) and the small nettle (Urticaurens). The large and small nettle have green leaves with a saw-shaped edge. The underside of the nettle leaf is downy. The nettle is covered with so-called stinging hairs. These hollow hairs cause a burning sensation and blisters on the skin when the tip is broken off. This is due to the formic acid and other irritants contained in the hollow hairs. Nettles are very common. You often find them next to roads, forest edges and in neglected gardens.
Nettle as a medicinal plant
Nettle has been considered a medicinal plant in herbal medicine for centuries. Primarily because of the blood pressure lowering effect of nettle.
However, nettle appears not only to be able to lower high blood pressure. Various studies show that nettle can have a healing effect on conditions such as rheumatism and various cardiovascular conditions. Nettle also has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps diabetics control their blood sugar levels.
Nettle tea
Most studies have been done with nettle extracts in powder form, or with water and alcohol-based solutions. But is nettle tea healthy ? Various studies show yes! Nettle tea appears to function as a powerful antioxidant. An antioxidant can neutralize harmful free radicals in the human body. These free radicals are involved in processes such as DNA damage and cell aging.
Buy nettle tea
buy ready-made nettle tea at the supermarket and specialty stores. Tea brands that have nettle tea in their range include Zonnatura, Pyramide, Jacob Hooy and Salus. However, there are also various private brands of nettle tea for sale.
Make your own nettle tea
Making nettle tea yourself is of course also an option. You can use the nettles pure or in combination with other herbs and plants. You can make nettle tea from both large and small nettles. Both fresh and dried nettles are suitable for making herbal tea .
What do you need?
Enjoy your homemade nettle tea! / Source: Miya, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Although you can use both young and old nettles, younger nettles have the most medicinal properties because they contain the most nutrients. Preferably pick the nettles (with gloves!) in a quiet place in nature. Nettles are found in large numbers along highways, where air pollution is commonplace. This will negatively affect the taste of your herbal tea. Pick about 30 grams of nettle tops per cup of tea.
Make nettle tea
Sprinkle the nettle tops into a preheated teapot. Pour approximately 600 ml of boiling water on top and put a lid on the teapot. Let the nettle tea steep for about 10 minutes. Pour the tea water through a sieve and enjoy your homemade nettle tea!
