Nettle

Nettle

Urtica dioica

A deeply nourishing green herb with an earthy character, nettle has a long history of use as both food and herbal preparation.

PLANT FAMILY

Urticaceae (Nettle family)

PARTS USED

Leaves + aerial parts

TASTE + AROMA

Green | Earthy | Grassy | Mild

ENERGETICS

Cooling | Drying

traditional uses

Nettle has a long history as both a food and an herb. The leaves and aerial parts have traditionally been incorporated into nourishing herbal preparations and everyday wellness practices.

European herbal monographs also recognize traditional uses of nettle herb related to minor joint discomfort, certain minor skin conditions and supporting urinary tract flushing.

in the cup

Nettle creates a distinctly green, earthy cup with a mild vegetal quality.

Its flavor is more grounding than aromatic, making it a useful foundation herb when you want other brighter or more flavorful plants to build around it.

how to prepare

Hot infusion: Add approximately 1–2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaf per 8 ounces of hot water. Cover and steep for approximately 10–15 minutes, then strain.

Nettle is also commonly prepared as a longer infusion when a stronger herbal preparation is desired.

things to know

Dried or properly cooked nettle should be used for tea. Fresh stinging nettle has hairs that can irritate the skin on contact.

Nettle is generally well tolerated in customary preparations, although mild gastrointestinal symptoms or allergic reactions can occur. Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, and the EMA does not recommend medicinal use during those periods because of insufficient data. European Medicines Agency (EMA)

The EMA's current assessment reports no established drug interactions for nettle herb, although people taking medications or managing medical conditions should still seek individualized guidance before using concentrated or therapeutic herbal preparations.