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If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you know how much I seek out natural, skin-loving ingredients. So today, I want to share with you another find that I’ve recently incorporated into my routine: nettle tea. I’ve been drinking it almost every day over the past couple of months, and I’m pleasantly surprised with how good I feel inside and out!
For those who haven’t heard of nettle yet, here are some quick facts, and why I think it’s worth your while:
What Is Nettle?
Popularly known as Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica), nettles are a flowering plant originally found in the colder regions of Europe and Asia. If you’re from these parts, then chances are you’ve already seen the plant while going on your stroll or hike. They’re the ones with the long, serrated leaves and small clusters of flowers at leaf joints, as well as micro-hairs all over its leaves and stem. Watch out though, because these hairs release painful formic acid upon contact, hence its name, stinging nettle.
But don’t cast out the plant just yet! There’s more to nettle than meets the eye (and the skin). While I don’t recommend handling the plant with your bare hands as this might give you a burning rash, nettle can be very good for you in its dried or neutralized form. You see, drying or cooking the nettle will effectively remove the sting, thus rendering it safe for you to enjoy.
The Nutritional Properties Of Nettle
For thousands of years, nettle has been used as a natural remedy, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In fact, modern studies show that the plant is immensely rich in terpenoids, carotenoids, and polyphenols, which have been found to help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
What’s more, its anti-inflammatory properties go a long way too, as it helps alleviate allergies, and reduces muscle pain related to arthritis and osteoarthritis. Plus, you get healthy doses of vitamin C, K, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, and other nutrients, which we could all use in our diets.
How Nettle Works To Improve The Beauty And Health Of Your Skin
The benefits of nettle extend to your skin too! Its vitamin-dense makeup makes it the perfect recipe for a bright and radiant complexion, protecting the skin from harmful free radicals, fighting off bacteria, and increasing cell turnover.
Additionally, nettle is a known diuretic, so it’ll help flush out toxins and promote clear skin at the same time – think of it as a natural fix for dull and congested skin! Moreover, nettle’s anti-inflammatory properties are proven to be effective in combating acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, along with soothing irritation, reducing redness, and speeding up the healing process.
So if you’re currently experiencing any of these skin concerns, definitely give nettle tea a go. Not only is it super accessible, but nettle tea is super easy to make as well.
How To Prepare Nettle Tea
Nettle tea is available in tea bags or loose leaves, but you can also harvest it yourself. Just remember to always wear gloves, long sleeves, and pants to avoid accidental stings!
Here’s a quick recipe you can follow:
1. Prepare two cups of water for every cup of fresh leaves. If you’re using dried leaves, prepare a cup of water for every teaspoon of nettle.
2. Bring water to a boil.
3. Add the nettle leaves to the boiling water and turn the heat down to medium.
4. Steep the leaves for 5-7 minutes. The longer you let them sit, the stronger the flavor of your tea. 5. Optionally, you can also add a bit of sugar or stevia if you’d like a touch of sweetness.
If you prefer to buy pre-made tea, this is a good option from Amazon.
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And there you have it! I hope you found this post helpful, and if you’d like to learn more about science-backed skincare ingredients, check out my article 22 Foods for Gorgeous Skin and Why they’re different. ‘Til next time!
