Bulk nettle leaf Tea

Nettle herbal tea has been valued for generations as one of the most nourishing herbal infusions. Made from the aerial parts of the stinging nettle plant, this tea is naturally rich in iron, vitamins, and essential minerals. It is especially known for its benefits during pregnancy, where it helps maintain healthy iron levels and acts as a supportive galactogogue, helping increase milk production. This makes it useful both for women who need lactation support and for general nourishment.

The herb is well known for its unique stinging hairs that can irritate the skin when touched. These tiny hairs release histamine and formic acid, causing redness and welts. Despite this natural defense mechanism, nettle has been trusted for centuries as a medicinal and nutritional plant once dried or prepared.

Taken internally, nettle tea offers a long list of traditional benefits. It is considered a strengthening tonic, helping with conditions such as anemia due to its iron content. Herbal preparations made from nettle juice have been used as a mild diuretic, offering support to those with fluid retention or mild congestive heart issues. Extracts of the herb are often used to help manage arthritis, hay fever, joint pain, and kidney-related concerns.

Externally, nettle has been used in a practice called urtication, where the fresh plant is brushed on the skin to create redness. This was traditionally done to ease rheumatic pain. Fresh leaves, when crushed and applied, can also help stop bleeding thanks to their natural vitamin K content, which plays a role in blood clotting.

The plant itself is versatile beyond its medicinal value. Young nettle tops are nutritious and can be cooked like spinach or added to soups. When harvested early, the tender leaves can even be eaten fresh in salads. The stems have been used to make specialty paper, and historically the plant has been grown for fiber and natural dye. As an herbal blend, dried nettle pairs well with red raspberry leaf, oatstraw, and alfalfa to create a nourishing pregnancy tea.

Nettle tea contains a wide range of nutrients. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, with a full spectrum of B vitamins including B1, B2, B3, and B5. It also offers protein, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, phosphorous, and zinc. Along with these minerals, it contains plant compounds like quercetin, rutin, and plant sterols. These nutrients contribute to the many long-recognized benefits of the plant.

This tea is traditionally used to support respiratory wellness, helping with coughs, asthma, and even tuberculosis in older herbal practices. Its anti-inflammatory nature makes it useful for joint issues such as arthritis, tendonitis, and rheumatism. It is also known to help with a variety of digestive concerns and may provide support for skin problems and allergy-related conditions like eczema and hay fever. Many people use nettle tea as part of urinary tract support routines.

Nettle is considered safe when used as directed, but some people may experience mild stomach upset or temporary fluid retention if taken in excess. Anyone using extracts, tinctures, or creams should follow the specific dosage instructions on the product label. General guidelines include 5 to 7.5 ml of tincture up to four times daily or 2 to 4 grams of dried leaf up to three times a day. For herbal tea, use 3 to 4 teaspoons of dried leaf per two-thirds cup of boiling water, steep for three to five minutes, and drink several cups daily while staying well hydrated.

Nettle tea also provides potassium, which plays an important role in the body’s electrical function, supporting organs like the heart and brain. Its calcium content helps support bone strength and plays a role in preventing bone loss. With high levels of beta-carotene, it can also contribute to healthier vision. Nettle leaves contain around 16 types of amino acids, giving the plant a surprisingly high protein content for a leafy herb.

Overall, nettle herbal tea is a powerful, natural choice for daily wellness, offering nourishment, balance, and gentle support for a wide range of body systems.