Nettle Iced Tea

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Spring is here! One thing I love about Washington’s Spring is how abundant the land is. From berries, to mushrooms, to stinging Nettles – there is so much to forage. Don’t worry, you don’t have to forage to make this Nettle Iced Tea though.

STINGING NETTLES

If you do choose to forage nettles, be sure to bring gloves. The name “Stinging” Nettles comes from the tiny hairs on the plant leaves. Those hairs contains irritants that release upon contact with skin. Wild nettle is boiled to rid of the hairs and irritants, then strained and ready to drink.

I’m using loose leaf nettle from a local store. Find a store that sells loose leaf tea near you and then you’ll have endless combinations for iced tea.

NETTLE ICED TEA

The use of nettle has been around for centuries. Its use in herbal medicine to treat pain is still prominent. Nettle tea can treat pain related to arthritis and help sore muscles. The antioxidants in nettles also protect cells against damage from free radicals.

With any herbal tea, you should consult with your doctor before drinking them – herbal teas can interact negatively with woman who are pregnant and those on medications.

ASHWAGANDA ROOT

Ashwagandha is a small shrub native to India and Southeast Asia. It’s said that ashwagandha may help relieve stress and anxiety. As someone who is constantly anxious, I am always open to natural remedies to calm myself. Maybe it’s the warming effect of having ashwagandha in hot tea or maybe it really does relieve stress, anxiousness and anxiety.

Ashwagandha is said to have a world of other benefits too. From increasing male fertility, to reducing inflammation and blood sugar levels… BUT there are not many studies on those claims. More research (by qualified researchers, not Google) is needed but give it a try and you be the judge.

Aside from the possible benefits, as the weather gets warmer, a cold cup of iced tea is always a good idea. Skip the store bought iced teas and try my Nettle Iced Tea!

Print Recipe

Nettle Iced Tea

Herbal Tea

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 5 mins

Course: Drinks

Keyword: drinks, herbal tea, spring drinks, summer drinks, tea

Servings: 8 Cups

Equipment

• 1 Tea Pot

Ingredients

• 8 Cups Boiled Water
• ¼ Cup Dried Loose Nettle Leaves
• 2 tbsp Ashwagandha (optional)
• 1 Fresh Lemon, juiced
• Raw Honey

Instructions

• Take a coffee filter and add your nettle and ashwagandha, if using, to the filter. Tie the filter with a string, tight enough so no tea falls out.
• Boil your water. Add your tea bag to an empty pot or heat proof pitcher. Pour the hot water over the tea bag. Let it steep for an hour or more. While the tea is still warm, add your fresh lemon juice and honey and stir.
• Enjoy tea hot or over ice!

Notes

• Pregnant women and people on medication should consult with their primary care physician before ingesting herbal teas!