If you thought the common nettle is all about getting your legs stung on summer country walks you’d be wrong!  The stinging nettle or Urtica dioica has much more to offer.

This delicious drink has excellent medicinal properties that have been used for centuries across the world. 

Nettle tea is a natural antihistamine so can be taken to address the symptoms of allergic reactions such as hay fever and rashes and is also effective in treating allergic reactions to insect bites.  As Nettle tea reduces uric acid levels in the system it is also highly recommended for people suffering from gout or arthritis.  If you have been partying heavily the night before, brew up some nettle tea.  It is excellent at helping the body to detoxify.

If you are feeling anaemic, nettle tea can help by providing the vitamins and iron that are recommended to combat this condition.  It is a great natural dietary supplement and also contains natural supplies of folic acid, essential in pregnancy and calcium.

To make a good cup of nettle tea put one teaspoon of nettle per person into a warmed teapot or mug and add boiling water.  Leave to steep for about five minutes.