I've been drinking nettle tea for a month. Why, you may ask? TikTok, naturally! When I saw on TikTok that stinging nettle had suddenly become the hot medicinal plant, I asked myself: do they really mean that bitter herb that we once used as a "witches' potion" at children's Halloween parties?
Apparently, it's something of a trendy herb these days. It's now being touted as a solution to joint pain, acne and eczema – as well as water retention and painful bloating. I was particularly wary of these claims because I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disease where the thyroid gland doesn't work as it should. As a result, my body struggles to metabolise certain substances. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the nettle hype.
However, I wasn't particularly keen on the idea of adding any more supplements to my morning routine (vitamin D and magnesium are already an integral part of my daily dose) – so I decided to try tea. After all, we are in the middle of flu season and a morning ritual of nettle tea could only do me good, right?
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One month of nettle tea
Stinging nettles may be trending on TikTok right now, but their benefits have been touted for centuries. In naturopathy, the wild herb has long been used as a remedy for urinary tract infections, some rheumatic diseases, high blood pressure and as an anti-inflammatory aid.
For me, I wanted to see if drinking nettle tea would help me build a healthy metabolism: less water retention, fewer headaches, less fatigue. These are all symptoms of a slow metabolism, which I struggle with, particularly due to my thyroid condition.
So I resolved to drink a cup of nettle tea every morning. The first few mornings, I have to say, were tough. Not because the tea was so bitter (in my opinion, it wasn't awful), but because I had to say goodbye to my morning coffee. So, my inner Lorelai Gilmore had to go into withdrawal. But I had made up my mind.
TikTok content
At first, I didn't notice any effects. After a week, I did some more research on nettle tea and found out that nettle doesn't need to be taken in the morning like many nutritional supplements. In fact, nettle is said to have a calming effect, which is why it's actually great to take in the evening. And, according to my research, up to three cups a day are safe.
So, I switched things up and started drinking a small pot of two cups in the evening instead of one cup in the morning. Not only did this make my morning routine easier (welcome back, beloved coffee!), but I finally began to notice the effects. After a few days with my new evening routine, I noticed that my face was significantly less puffy in the morning.
By the end of the second week of my little nettle tea routine, I realised I had gone 14 days without a migraine. Is nettle tea really the miracle cure I had been searching for? During week three, I noticed that other parts of my body were also less tense, and I felt less bloated. I've also been told several times that "my skin is so radiant". It's a compliment that – as a lazy person in the skincare department – I have rarely received in the past.
In week four, however, after an evening out with lots of alcohol and bright lights, a migraine did creep in. Well, nettle tea probably can't fight everything. And in retrospect, I have to admit that during my nettle routine I did eat less salt in general, went to bed earlier and exercised more. It was almost as though I subconsciously wanted the experiment to succeed. So, I can't say exactly how much of my increased wellbeing was due to the nettle tea. Either way, I probably won't be stopping my new routine any time soon.
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Nettle as a medicinal plant
Thinking about integrating stinging nettles into your diet, too? Here's an overview of the most important facts:
- Nettle has a diuretic effect, which is why it is often used to treat cystitis.
- Nettle can help counteract water retention.
- Nettle is anti-inflammatory.
- In some studies, nettle has been found to lower blood pressure.
- Nettle is said to have an analgesic effect, which is said to help with joint diseases such as rheumatism or osteoarthritis.
- As nettle has a dehydrating effect, you should make sure you drink plenty of fluids when taking nettle capsules or after a nettle tea to avoid dehydrating your body. For the same reason, pregnant women should avoid the herb altogether. Incidentally, as counterintuitive as it may sound, an increased fluid intake also helps against water retention.
- The recommended daily intake of stinging nettle should never be exceeded in order to avoid stomach and intestinal complaints such as nausea and diarrhoea. For nettle tea, the recommendation is three to four cups per day, for capsules, stick to the dose stated on the pack and recommended by a doctor. This is usually one to two capsules a day.
- Always consult your doctor if you have a health condition or persistent symptoms that are bothering you.
A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR Germany.
