Stinging Nettle Tea

The first time I heard of someone drinking stinging nettle tea, all I could think of was how unpleasant it must taste. I couldn't have been more wrong, as it's simply delicious and definitely my new favourite drink, I'm addicted!
The stinging nettle has been used medicinally for centuries. It's extremely rich in minerals, with 10 grams of nettle containing 290 milligrams of calcium and 86 grams of magnesium. For the sake of comparison, the same amount of spinach would contain about 10 milligrams of calcium and 8 milligrams of magnesium. Nettle tea provides so many health benefits that I could not even fit them all in one blog post. Instead, I will concentrate mainly on how drinking this tea can help us to have beautiful healthy skin.

Acne
Stinging nettle tea works to cleanse your skin from the inside by addressing any problems that may be occurring in the blood. It helps to remove excess toxins in the blood stream, allowing the skin to more effectively cleanse itself. If you suffer from acne, then give this tea a try. Drink 1-3 cups a day and along with a healthy diet, you should notice a definite improvement in your skin in a couple of weeks. This tea also helps to balance a woman's hormonal system which can improve the skin. Often, acne can be a sign of unbalanced hormones, especially if it mainly occurs around the chin and jaw line.

Eczema/ Skin Allergies
Consuming nettle leaf tea on a regular basis can also help to alleviate symptoms of eczema and any problems with dry skin. The leaves and stem of the plant are covered with tiny hairs that release chemicals when touched. This is what is referred to as the nettle's "sting." These same chemicals, when ingested can reduce the inflammation in the body that cause eczema, as well as the painful and itchy symptoms that go along with it.

Digestive Aid (A healthy gut = healthy skin)
Drinking this tea can really help with any digestive issues. When consumed regularly, nettle tea is effective at reducing symptoms of acid reflux, nausea, colitis and coeliac disease. A healthy gut is one of the most important things we can strive towards to improve our skin. In a previous post about Apple Cider Vinegar, I wrote about how drinking it as a tonic can also help you to have a happy tummy, therefore helping the skin too.

Other benefits

• Stimulates the lymph system to boost immunity

• Supports the kidneys

• Helps with menstrual cramps and bloating

• Combats anemia and fatigue (High in iron)

• Helps to reduce symptoms of hay fever and other allergies

You can make nettle tea by actually just picking nettle leaves and brewing them in boiling water. Just make sure to wear some thick gloves so you don't get stung! I prefer to just buy mine as they are quite low in price. I drink 2-3 cups a day and absolutely love the taste! I let the tea bag brew for about 5 mins. Again, Holland & Barret and Evergreen are my usual choices, but you'll find nettle tea in any health food store.

Sinéad