Nettle Tea

When young nettles start poking their leaves out of the ground, best picked when they are about 6 leaves to the plant and after a nice spring shower the day before, so they are good and juicy.  Wear some garden gloves as although these look small and un-imposing they can still give you a good sting, however if you are stung rest assured this can help aid rheumatic pains.  Find a good clump not near a dirty road or a place where dogs may be regularly walked and nip the top cluster of leaves of the plant and leave the rest to carry on growing as nettles provide a very important habitat for beneficial bugs.     

The health benefits of nettles are widely known and have been used for centuries, containing lots of iron, vitamin A,B2 C E and K, acetophenone, heptennone, polysaccarides, Folic acids, Calcium, potassium, magnesium, glucidic stubstances, flavanoids which are an antioxidant, beta- carotene and many amino acids, formic and acetic acids, amines sterols, panthotenic acid, chlorophyl 0.3-0.8, protoporphyrine and coproporphynine, cetones as methyl heptenone, sitosterols, Ca, Mg, Fe and Si salts, phosphates, zinc as well as being high in protein. So as you can see it really is a super food. 
(above list source live and feel, bright hub and tea benifits)

• Nettle tea fights coughs, tuberculosis and asthma;
• Nettle tea counters arthritis, rheumatism, tendonitis and other disorders of the muscles and joints;
• Nettle tea combats a variety of intestinal disorders;
• Nettle tea fights skin problems ;
• Nettle tea fights allergies like eczema, and hay fever;
• Nettle tea is used to treat urinary tract infections.

(above list source tea benifits)

The plant also has anti-anemic, haemostatic and diuretic properties and a great help to those suffering from diabetes as it can decrease blood sugar and glycemic levels.  It is also useful in eliminating viruses and bacterial infections.

(above list source live and feel)

Woman's Tonic
Nettle tea is considered an excellent tonic for women. Native American women would drink it during their pregnancy and use it as a remedy to stop excessive bleeding after delivery.
After childbirth, nettle tea helps restore a woman's energy and stimulates milk production.
Nettle tea can also reduce water retention, soothe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, stop excessive menstrual bleeding, and treat anemia.


Hay Fever
Nettle tea has natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory substances that can open nasal and bronchial passages, making it a great herbal remedy for treating hay fever. Drinking nettle tea three times a day can help prevent springtime allergies
(above list source bright hub)

Making nettle tea is simple adding 1 oz of young nettle leaves to 1 pint of boiling water and leave to steep for 10 mins to get rid of the sting. By adding a slice of lemon the tea will change from a green to pink colour but I prefer mine with a bit of sugar as the flavour for a first time drinker can be a bit odd as it is very fresh and green tasting and takes a few cups to get your head around drinking.