The most nutritious plant on earth? Here’s how to make stinging nettle tea

Stinging Nettle Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

• Fresh or dried stinging nettle leaves (1-2 teaspoons dried or 1-2 tablespoons fresh per cup of water)
• Water
• Optional: Honey, lemon, or other flavorings (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Harvesting Nettle (if using fresh leaves):
   • Safety Note: Always wear gloves when handling fresh stinging nettle leaves, as they can sting and irritate the skin. The stinging hairs become harmless once the leaves are dried or cooked.
   • Harvest young nettle leaves in spring or early summer. Choose leaves from plants that have not yet flowered.
2. Preparing the Leaves:
   • If using fresh leaves, rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt or insects.
   • If using dried leaves, they are ready to use as-is.
3. Boiling Water:
   • Bring water to a boil. Use about 1 cup of water per serving of tea.
4. Steeping the Nettle:
   • Place the fresh or dried nettle leaves in a tea infuser, teapot, or directly in a cup.
   • Pour the boiling water over the nettle leaves.
   • Let the tea steep for about 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired strength. The longer it steeps, the stronger and more flavorful it will be.
5. Straining the Tea:
   • If you placed the leaves directly in the cup, strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer.
   • If you used a tea infuser or teapot, simply remove it.
6. Flavoring the Tea (optional):
   • You can add honey, lemon, or other herbs like mint to taste. These additions can enhance the flavor and add extra health benefits.
7. Serving:
   • Serve the tea hot. You can also refrigerate it and enjoy it as a cold tea.

Additional Tips:

• Storage: Dried nettle leaves can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for several months.
• Cautions: If you have any medical conditions, are pregnant, or are taking medications, consult a healthcare professional before consuming stinging nettle tea, as it can interact with certain medications and conditions.