Tea drinking dates back to thousands of years ago. It’s believed to have started in China.
But, nowadays, people worldwide consume tea for numerous reasons, including for its taste, its relaxing properties, and potential health advantages.
When talking about herbal teas, one of the most popular is nettle tea and it’s definitely a beverage we shouldn’t be missing out on.
Nettle, or stinging nettle, is a shrub which originates from the north of Europe and Asia.
The plant is known for its beautiful heart-shaped leaves and yellow or pink flowers. The stem has stiff hairs that release stinging chemicals upon touch so be careful.
Nettle Tea, an Amazing Tea We Should Consume more
The leaves, stem or root of the nettle can be crushed and made into cream, tea, powder, tincture, etc.
There’s research backing up the numerous possible health properties that nettle tea has to offer.
Below, check out some of the most important reasons why you should drink nettle tea regularly!
The Best Health Benefits of Nettle Tea
- Relieves arthritis and ache
Throughout the history, nettle tea has been used for treatment of ache and painful muscles, particularly ones associated with arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation promotes nettle tea as a possible way to lower inflammation and pain linked with osteoarthritis.
- Good for balancing the blood sugar levels
Nettle may be beneficial for the glucose levels in our blood. Namely, it regulates the pancreas’s production and release of insulin, a hormone which decreases the blood sugar.
One study from 2013 showed that nettle leaf extract helped reduce the blood sugar in people who had type 2 diabetes.
- May help avert chronic illnesses
Nettle is rich in polyphenols, chemicals that are potent and participate in the prevention and management of chronic illnesses associated with inflammation, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart illness.
- Improves the urinary tract health
Nettle tea may help you remove bad bacteria from your urinary tract. This can be beneficial for people with urinary health problems like BPH which causes an enlarged prostate gland in men.
How to Brew Delicious & Healing Nettle Tea
Surely, you can purchase nettle tea in tea bags or loose; however, you can also harvest it yourself or grow it in your garden if possible.
The general ratio is 2 cups of water per a cup of nettle leaves.
Add the water and leaves in a pot and bring it to boil.
Before it starts to boil, turn off the stove and leave it for 5 minutes before straining it. You can add honey, stevia or cinnamon if you want to. Enjoy!
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