Nettle Infusion
Stop superfood powders and do this?
I love everything about Autumn! The colours, the food, the weather and the ability to wear leggings again.
I’m still not in my leggings but I’ve been pottering in the kitchen today which has reminded me of the cosiness I love about this time of year.
I’ve put some bones in the slow cooker to make broths, have fat on the stove rendering into tallow and a venison lasagne is in the oven. Next steps will be chopping up some beetroots to make ferment some kvass and boiling up a litre of water so I have nettle infusion to drink tomorrow.
So let’s chat nettle infusion!
Firstly, what is an infusion?
Well its simply, dried herbs infused in boiling water for 4-8 hours (or overnight).
The key is to use a large quantity of herbs to make it a nourishing infusion!
By infusing for a long time, then this allows for more protein, vitamins and minerals to be absorbed by the water.
So you can amplify your nutrient intake and cut down on supplements by getting your nutrients from food!
Susun Weed popularised this approach to working with herbs - she says its one of her best ideas and I agree!
Why Nettle Infusion?
Nettle is a herb but it is also a food. Cooking, drying, blending or powdering will remove the sting and you can cook it just like spinach!
However, unlike spinach and other supermarket vegetables because it is not farmed commercially- it has so much more nutrition!
Therefore, it makes a wonderfully nourishing infusion.
Fresh young nettles are a great source of minerals, vitamins and amino acids. All readily absorbed by the body to nourish blood, lymph, hormones and neurotransmitters. Nettle is high in calcium, magnesium, chlorophyll, chromium, iron, zinc, potassium, B vitamins, Vitamin C, selenium, protein, Vitamin K.
You can make anything with nettle…soup, pesto, porridge, beer or just cook it up with some butter and garlic. Yum!
The Health Giving Properties of Nettle
Nettle has a healing influence on the earth's soil transforming excess nitrogen and enriching with minerals. We see a similar effect in our bodies- it gently detoxes by helping us clear excess waste and nourishes us right back up with minerals!
Every part of the nettle is medicinal including the sting! The practise of whipping with nettles is known as urtication and can be used for relieving joint pain and encouraging hair growth.
Nettle is used for:
Strengthening for the lungs so can be helpful in colds, flu and asthma.
Restoring the adrenals - brings energy, reduces stress, promotes sound sleep!
Promoting kidney, liver and digestive health
Building the blood when we are feeling depleted particularly in cases of exhaustion and anaemia.
Giving us thick, shiny, vibrant hair, healthy nails and luminous skin.
Increasing bone density and strength
Rejuvenating and enlivening every cell in our body!
It is a powerful medicine and a superfood that grows just outside your door! I love the nettle infusions as you use so much more nettle then you would be able to get in a tincture or a tea.
How to Make Nettle Infusion
Use a big handful of dried nettle (about 30g), throw in a 1 litre jar like a Kilner, pour over hot water and leave to infuse for 4-8 hours or overnight.
Strain off the nettle leaves (they make a wonderful fertiliser for the garden) and then drink the mineral rich, dark green nettle infusion. You can heat it up or enjoy it cold.
Nettle infusion will store in the fridge for 2 days and if you don't drink it all then you can use wash your hair in the leftover infusion to add lustre and shine.
It is safe to consume regularly when old, young, pregnant or breastfeeding. I would recommend buying your nettle in bulk to make infusions - I’ve just checked and its about £25 for 1 kg of organic nettle!
This is so so much cheaper than any superfood powder or supplement you can buy and gives you so much more health!
Nettle infusion will support your body regain the nutrition that it needs to care and heal itself.
Try it out and let me know what you think!
Fantastic!