Herbalists Jane Metzger and Amber Meyers offer up a toast in the spirit of Herbalist Day with a fun and special celebratory twist on nettle tea! This recipe is shared as a sneak peek into the Herbal Academy’s newest recipe book, the Botanical Mixed Drinks Recipe Book –a collection of 82 co*cktails and mocktails inspired by the seasons. The Botanical Mixed Drinks Recipe Book is the second installment in our Herbal Academy Recipe Book Collection and an extension of our online Botanical Mixed Drinks Workshop.
Nettle is the Star of the Recipe!
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is sort of like the popular, cool kid of the herbal world—here at the Herbal Academy, we *really* love nettles! Not only is its appearance a sure sign of spring, it’s also a quintessential nourishing herbal tonic that can be drunk or eaten daily. It contains a bevy of vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium, as well as amino acids and flavonoids. Nettle nourishes, supports, and energizes the whole body and is richly nourishing to the blood, adrenals, and kidneys.
In addition to nourishment, nettle is also an alterative, helping to detoxify the body and is used as a spring tonic. As an alterative it can also be used for symptoms of gout, arthritis, rheumatism, eczema, and skin issues. It can be enjoyed as a nutrient-rich tea or incorporated into meals as you would any leafy green—cooking, blending, or drying nettle leaf will neutralize its infamous sting.
Herbalists make use of nettle’s antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties to ease allergic and inflammatory issues such as asthma and seasonal allergies. As a tonic for the urinary tract, nettle helps to remove metabolic waste and flush the kidneys as well as soothing conditions of the urinary system.
Join herbalists Jane Metzger and Amber Meyers in the video below as they share a sneak peek into the Herbal Academy’s Botanical Mixed Drinks Recipe Book, the newest addition to the Botanical Recipe Book Collection.
Spring Sting, A Nettle co*cktail
Spring Sting Nettle co*cktail
Nettle is an early spring plant that is packed full of vitamins and minerals, and while we highly recommend enjoying it throughout the day as an herbal tea, feel free to reserve a bit for a refreshing afternoon delight. Enjoy this recipe as either a co*cktail or a mocktail over ice in a collins glass.
This excerpt comes from the Botanical Mixed Drinks Recipe Book.
Ingredients
2 fl oz (60 mL) cooled nettle tea
2 fl oz (60 mL) vodka (omit for a mocktail and add an extra 4 fl oz (120 mL) of carbonated water)
1 fl oz (30 mL) ginger syrup
½ fl oz (15 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 fl oz (60 mL) carbonated water, chilled
Directions
- Fill a collins glass half full with ice and set it aside.
- To make a co*cktail, combine the nettle tea, vodka, ginger syrup, and lemon juice in a glass canning jar.
- To make a mocktail, combine the nettle tea, ginger syrup, and lemon juice in a glass canning jar.
- Fill the jar ⅔ full of ice, cap, and shake hard for 20 seconds. Strain the liquid off the ice and into the collins glass.
- Top with chilled carbonated water and gently stir to combine.
Cheers This Herbalist Day!
As much as nettle, we sure do love Herbalist Day around here at the Herbal Academy. This special celebration provides us time and space to honor our unique journeys as herbalists, the herbal mentors and influencers that have helped shape our learning and experience, and the greatest teachers of all, the plants themselves.
So it is in the spirit of Herbalist Day that we toast this spring favorite nettle co*cktail (or mocktail), Spring Sting, from our new Botanical Mixed Drinks Recipe Book –a collection of 82 co*cktails and mocktails inspired by the seasons. The Botanical Mixed Drinks Recipe Book is an extension of our online Botanical Mixed Drinks Workshop, a playful, self-paced workshop covers everything you need to know about making delicious, beneficial herbal co*cktails and mocktails at home (and you don’t need to drink alcohol to enjoy these recipes and techniques!). From Nettle Spring Sting to Holiday Hot Cacao to Chamomile and Elderflower Hot Toddy, it’s safe to say that herbalists know drinks—and you’ll get your hands on all of the Herbal Academy’s favorites! Discover the basics of botanical mixology, such as how to make herbal sugars and syrups, infused honeys, and herbal vinegars—and how to apply bitters and tinctures for tasty beverage mixing!
Learn more about the Botanical Mixed Drinks Workshop with recipe book here!
Happy Herbalist Day! Cheers!
FAQs
Nettle tea benefits the kidneys by increasing urine output and uric acid removal. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it improves kidney function and urinary flow. Nettle tea is a natural diuretic that promotes proper fluid flow in the kidneys and bladder, preventing kidney stones from forming.
What are the side effects of stinging nettles? ›
Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash.
Does nettle tea lower blood pressure? ›
Stinging nettle was traditionally used to treat high blood pressure ( 21 ). Animal and test-tube studies illustrate that it may help lower blood pressure in several ways. For one, it may stimulate nitric oxide production, which acts as a vasodilator.
Does nettle tea detox the body? ›
Apart from its diuretic and detoxing properties, drinking nettle leaf tea can yield other health benefits. Nettle is also antifungal, antibacterial and astringent.
Who should not drink nettle? ›
Avoid stinging nettle if you're allergic or sensitive to nettle or plants in the same family. Avoid if you're pregnant or breastfeeding because there isn't enough information on its safety. Use with caution if you're elderly because of the potential of causing low blood pressure.
Is stinging nettle bad for your liver? ›
Stinging nettle extracts are generally well tolerated and have not been implicated in instances of serum aminotransferase elevations or cases of clinically apparent liver injury.
Why is stinging nettle bad for kidneys? ›
Older nettle leaves can contain oxalate, which can irritate the kidneys. In one case, a woman developed atropine poisoning after drinking stinging nettle tea that was contaminated with belladonna. One source reports that nettles may raise blood sugar levels.
What does nettle do for a woman? ›
The chemical compounds in stinging nettle have a variety of health benefits for women. Because of its astringent characteristics, it can relieve unpleasant premenstrual symptoms including cramping and bloating, as well as reduce blood flow during menstruation.
What not to take with stinging nettle? ›
Interactions ?
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with STINGING NETTLE. Stinging nettle might lower blood sugar levels. ...
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with STINGING NETTLE. ...
- Lithium interacts with STINGING NETTLE. ...
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with STINGING NETTLE.
Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130 to 139 mmHg/80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away. A reading this high is considered “hypertensive crisis.”
The top drinks for lowering blood pressure include water, fruit juices (pomegranate, prune, cranberry, cherry), vegetable juice (tomato, raw beet), tea (black, green), and skim milk.
What is the best time of day to drink nettle tea? ›
Also consumed as a vegetable, nettles contain an impressive array of nutrients1 , phytochemicals, and other bioactives2 with a host of health-promoting properties. And in my opinion, it's a perfect herbal tea to start your morning out right.
How many cups of nettle tea should I drink per day? ›
There's no one recommended portion size for nettle leaf or nettle leaf products, though the Arthritis Foundation suggests these amounts for arthritis benefits: 1 cup of tea three times a day. Up to 1,300 milligrams a day in capsule form. As a tincture (a solution in alcohol), 1-4 milliliters, three times a day.
Can nettle tea help weight loss? ›
We now know it will promote weight loss, relieve hayfever, increase hair growth, lower blood pressure, support the immune system, prevent gout and mimic insulin for diabetes.
Does nettle tea make your hair grow? ›
Nettle may even help combat baldness by regulating DHT and halting the overproduction of testosterone, which can cause scalp inflammation. Magnesium cleans out excess calcium and works alongside the anti-inflammatory properties of nettle by regulating follicle growth.
How many cups of nettle tea should you drink a day? ›
One study found that using stinging nettle products reduced the pain in arthritis patients compared with placebo treatments. Arthritis sufferers are encouraged to consume 1-3 cups of nettle tea each day, especially as herbal teas are good for helping with swelling and joint pain.
Is nettle safe to take long term? ›
When taken by mouth: Stinging nettle is possibly safe when used for up to 1 year. It might cause diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach in some people. When applied to the skin: Stinging nettle is possibly safe. Touching the stinging nettle plant can cause skin irritation.
