Drinking stinging nettle tea has many amazing benefits including relief from allergies, eczema, and sore muscles, as well as helping with arthritis, UTI’s, and high blood pressure.
![a glass of stinging nettle tea](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-featured-image.png)
Characterized as a rather painful plant to be around, stinging nettles actually have some amazing benefits that you can harness.
Today we’ll discuss how to identify this vibrantly green plant, as well as how to pick the leaves without getting “stung” and lastly, how to prepare the leaves into nutritious tea.
The stinging nettle plant is not to be avoided just because it stings!
It’s time to learn how to gain the amazing health benefits of stinging nettle tea.
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![stinging nettle plants](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-31-1024x768.jpg)
What are stinging nettles
Stinging nettles, scientifically referred to as Urtica Dioica, have been used medicinally for hundreds of years.
These stinging plants can grow up to 8 feet tall, while most stinging nettle plants do not reach over 6 feet tall.
The stalks of stinging nettles are fairly slender and are square in shape.
Nettle leaves grow directly off of the stalk. Each leaf is about 2 to 4 inches long and tapers to a thin tip.
The leaves have toothed edges and distinct veins that can be seen throughout the thin leaf’s surface.
Occasionally, a few branches will also grow off of the stalk which leaves will grow along as well.
Clusters of flowers will grow at the base of each stinging nettle leaf when the plant reaches maturity. These flowers can be light green or tan.
The ‘stingers’ of the nettle plant grow along the stem and on the undersides of the leaves.
![a mug of warm stinging nettle tea](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-14.jpg)
How to pick stinging nettles
Before harvesting stinging nettles, put on a pair of garden gloves or thin leather gloves.
Using your fingers, strip the leaves off of the stinging nettle plant and place in a bowl.
Continue until you have your desired amount of stinging nettles collected.
Place the nettle leaves into a strainer and rinse with cool water, using a tongs to fluff.
Use the tongs to put the leaves on paper towels to dry for later, or move on to making stinging nettle tea.
Note* the best time of year to harvest stinging nettles is in the early spring when the plants are smaller and before any flowers have formed.
You can harvest the leaves later but keep in mind that the older the plant, the more tough the leaves will be.
![a patch of nettles](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-28.jpg)
How to Make Stinging Nettle Tea
Fresh Leaves
Bring some filtered water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn it off and add some fresh stinging nettle leaves using tongs.
Let this steep for at least 10 minutes. The longer is steeps, the stronger and more potent the tea!
Strain the leaves out, serve hot or chill and serve cold.
Want measurements? Use 10 ounces of water and four-six fresh stinging nettle leaves.
Dried Leaves
Bring 10 ounces of filtered water to a boil. Turn off and add 1-2 teaspoons of dried stinging nettle leaves.
Let this steep for at least 10 minutes before straining.
Serve hot or chill and serve cold.
![mug of nettle tea](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-18.jpg)
Benefits of drinking stinging nettle tea
Allergies and Hay Fever
Stinging nettles contain natural antihistamines which lower the level of histamine in the body.
Histamine found in plants can cause allergic responses in some people. Seasonal allergies are very often caused by histamine.
Drinking nettle tea may help lower your body’s response to certain allergens.
It is also believed that stinging nettles contain other compounds that may help lower inflammatory responses, further helping allergy symptoms.
![a bowl of freshly picked stinging nettle leaves](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-39.jpg)
Eczema
Stinging nettles may help relieve eczema by providing anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties.
This can help lower and reduce inflammation, redness, itchiness, skin dryness, and allergies.
Painful muscles and joints
Drinking stinging nettle tea may help relieve muscle and joint pain that stems from inflammation.
The stinging nettle plant contains compounds that help lower the inflammatory response in the body.
Try drinking this tea if you have muscle or joint pain, arthritis, a sprain, strain or even tendonitis.
![iced nettle tea](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-22.jpg)
Anemia
Stinging nettles leaves contain a good amount of iron, making it a great tea to supplement with if you suffer from anemia.
Make sure that you are adding other iron rich foods and supplements into your diet including this nutrient-rich tea to boost iron levels.
Urinary Tract Infections
Stinging nettle tea can help rid the urinary tract of bacteria causing the UTI.
This tea also increases urine output, helping to flush the urinary tract, keeping it healthy in times of no infection.
![a mug of nettle tea](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-17.jpg)
Blood Pressure regulation
Stinging nettles may help lower your blood pressure because of their high mineral content.
These mineral packed leaves are full of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and several other important nutrients.
Helps Control Blood Sugar
Stinging nettles actually contain compounds that mimic insulin.
Because of this, stinging nettle tea may help control or even lower your blood sugar.
It is important to note, that if you have blood sugar issues (and especially if you are on any type of blood sugar medication, such as insulin) that you check with your doctor before drinking stinging nettle tea.
![a patch of stinging nettles](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Drinking-Stinging-Nettle-Tea-33.jpg)
Cautions when using stinging nettles
Although there are some amazing benefits of drinking stinging nettle tea, there are also a few complications that could occur if you are allergic to it.
When drinking or using stinging nettles in any way make sure you watch for signs of the following:
- Chest or throat tightening
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Swelling, especially in the mouth, lip, or tongue
- Rash
- Stomach cramping
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lowered blood sugar
- Lowered blood pressure
If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition, make sure that you check with your health provider before drinking or ingesting stinging nettles.
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