Nettle tea and its many benefits   by Sarah Birmingham

in Food / Beverages    (submitted 2011-06-19)

For those who have ever explored in to the woods, you learn rapidly to avoid nettles like the plague. The leaves of the nettle, which are shaped like hearts contain quite a punch by using almost invisible hairs that can cause people who brush against them to have painful, reddish and inflammed skin. Nevertheless Nature did not produce these plants purely to hurt; amazingly, simply drying the stinging nettle leaves (hint: use gloves!) and turning them in to a tea produces amazing health rewards that have been known for hundreds of years.

Inside, it seems there isn't any end to what stinging nettle tea is able to do for your body. To begin with, it's loaded in vitamins: A; C; E; B1; B2; B3; B5; calcium; iron; folate; potassium; magnesium; manganese; phosphorous; selenium; and zinc - Why would you need everyday supplements after sipping a pot of with all that in it? In fact if you do not experience any ailments, having it frequently will help keep you in tip-top shape.

As it serves as a diuretic (meaning it cleans out your body), it aids in the reduction of urinary tract infections and kidney stones. It may also ease diarrhea symptoms; but you need to be careful, as consuming a large amount of stinging nettle tea also works as a laxative!

Stinging nettle tea has anti-inflammatory properties that assist with a respite from joint pain and arthritis (either from consuming the tea or applying it locally to the joints - the tea, not the leaves!). These qualities help open nasal cavities, too, providing respite from hay fever and other allergies.

Should you be unwell, drinking the tea will help your cough and asthma. A number of people have even substituted their coffee with nettle tea, saying the boost and vitality they receive right after a cup beats anything they ever experienced from a coffee.

Females get added benefits from drinking nettle tea; as mentioned before, nettle tea is a natural diuretic, which reduces water retention and bloating during menstruating. Additionally, during menstruation and after giving birth, drinking nettle tea will decrease excessive blood loss. Using the tea as a rinse for the hair promotes growth helping strengthen the root; it is important to let that boiling hot tea cool down before you dump it on your scalp.

Externally, nettle tea is a winner, as well. The anti-inflammatory properties that help joint inflammation even combat eczema and pimples. Sort of ironic, thinking about the itchy redness the leaves cause should they get in direct contact with your skin! On top of that, the diuretic effect of the tea assists in keeping your system cleaned out, which always equals healthier, glowing skin.

And fear not - consuming the tea won't cause your insides to break out in irritation like contact with your skin will. Nevertheless, as with all natural herbs, ensure you add nettle tea to your diet progressively to prevent a reaction.
In case you are too scared to venture on a nettle finding adventure alone, you won't have to miss out; a local health food store will certainly stock it in both capsule or dried leaf variety - after all, they've been aware of the health advantages of nettle tea forever!

About the Author

And finally, if you are interested in nettle tea, please check out Nettle Tea HQ at http://nettleteahq.com