Nettles infusion is the Ultimate green drink! Stinging Nettles ( Urtica dioica) are a nutritional powerhouse, yet gentle enough to drink daily. Yes, this is the same common weed that will sting you when the leaves come into contact with your skin. Those fine hairs on the leaves, no longer sting when dried. Voila! From stinging plant when fresh, to medicinal herb when dried. Here is the nutrient breakdown from world renowned Herbalist and author Susun Weed ;
Nettle Nutrition
“Nettle is a superior source of protein; 10 percent by weight.
Nettle is a rich storehouse of readily-absorbable minerals, trace minerals, and micro-nutrients:
calcium (1000 mg per quart of infusion)
magnesium (300 mg per quart of infusion)
potassium (600 mg per quart of infusion)
zinc (1.5 mg per quart of infusion)
selenium (.7 mg per quart of infusion)
iron (15 mg per quart of infusion)
manganese (2.6 mg per quart of infusion)
plus chromium, cobalt, phosphorus, copper, sulphur, silicon, and tin.
Nettle is super-charged with vitamins:
Vitamin A (5000 IU per quart of infusion)
Vitamin B complex, especially thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate
Plus Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K ”
While only the leaves and stalks are used for infusions, the seeds and roots are also edible and medicinal and have other uses. Juliette de Bairacli Levy, grandmother of herbal medicine had this to say of nettles; “The whole plant is powerful medicine from the roots to the seeds”
Stinging Nettles have a long history of medicinal use in Europe and may have an even longer history of use in China and even Mexico. The plant was also used as an excellent fiber for clothing and the stalks as rope.
The medicinal uses are so numerous, that if I were to list them all, it would take up a few pages and you likely would not make it to the instructions on how to make this green elixir! In addition to the traditional and folk uses, there are now studies that corroborate some of these uses. Here is a smattering of what nettles is known to be used for; Gout, allergies, hay fever, eczema, joint pain, BPH and urinary issues, and increasing milk production in nursing mothers. Nettles on their own or together with red raspberry leaf and oatstraw, as an infusion are a natural nutritional boost to pregnant mamas!
I have included some resources at the bottom, for those of you that want more in depth information about the history and medicinal uses of stinging nettles.
So, what do nettles taste like? Cooked nettles taste similar to spinach. Powdered nettle leaf can be used in place of spirulina or other green powdered supplements for energy in smoothies or as tea. The infusion, a mineral rich, emerald drink is not bitter not tart, but slightly green and delicious, really mild tasting. It can be sweetened with honey, combined with other herbal infusions, other herbs like hibiscus, lemongrass or even with mint and ice. Add spices and coconut or other milk and you have nettles latte! Add to a fruit smoothie or natural fruit juice like cranberry and pour into molds and freeze for a cold tasty treat, kids love.
Infusion recipe
1 ounce by weight of dried nettle herb. I get mine here
1 quart jar
boiling water
put the 1 oz of dried nettles in the quart jar and fill to the top with boiling water, stir and cover. Steep for at least 4 hours, even overnight. Strain the herb out and the infusion is ready for drinking. nettles infusion should be refrigerated, right away and is good for up to two days.
Have you used stinging nettles for anything? what are some of your favorite nettle combinations? I would love to hear.
Resources ; Susun Weed – Healing wise