Wintertime is travel time for our family. By the end of February, after much travel, we start to get back into our normal routine. Part of our routine is drinking a quart of Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) infusion daily to prepare our bodies for allergy season. Nettles nourishes your body all year long, but when taken daily for a couple of months before allergy season, it nourishes the body in a way that helps it deal when faced with allergens.  Nettles are a natural source of quercetin, a plant-derived flavonoid that supports the body’s response to allergens and inhibits histamine release (the substance produced in the body that causes sneezing, itching, and respiratory issues). An allergen is a substance such as pollen that may provoke an exaggerated immune response in individuals who are sensitive to it. Through this potential action, nettles help to reduce allergy symptoms. It also contains natural antihistamines that help to open nasal passages and ease allergy symptoms.

During spring and throughout late summer, I pick fresh Nettles for my infusions and recipes. Fresh Nettles can be used in any recipe that you would use spinach. Nevertheless, I also dry them during this time in preparation for allergy season. I have found it to be most effective when I drink a quart of infusion daily for at least two months before the pollen flies. It strengthens and supports my body, so allergens don’t hit me like a ton of lead. For any stray allergy symptom, there is always Goldenrod (Solidago, spp.) to the rescue.

If you did not happen to dry any Nettles last year, you can purchase them in the bulk section of a health food store or co-op. Don’t waste your time on tea bags, as you need more Nettles than that. Use about an ounce of dry herbs per quart jar, pour boiling water over it and let it steep at least four hours. I like to make it the night before and drink it throughout the following day. It will produce a beautiful rich deep green color, which will nourish and support the entire body, particularly the endocrine, immune, urinary, respiratory, and circulatory systems.

Do your body a favor and start drinking Nettle infusions every day.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.