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I’ve been drinking nettle tea for a month. Why? I heard about it on TikTok, naturally. When I saw on social media that stinging nettle is suddenly the hot medicinal plant, I asked myself: Do they really mean the bitter herb that I used to use as a “witches’ potion” at children’s Halloween parties?
Apparently, yes. Stinging nettle has become a trendy herb in a big way, with some touting it as a metabolism booster that works wonders against water retention and bloating. Sounds great in theory, but I was particularly wary of these claims because I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. It’s an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland doesn’t work as it should; as a result, my body is less able to metabolize certain substances, or only very slowly. Ever since my diagnosis, I’ve been intrigued by every tip for a healthier metabolism that I can find—including the nettle hype.
However, I wasn’t keen to add more supplements to my morning routine (vitamin D and magnesium are already an integral part of my daily dose). So, I settled on trying nettle tea. After all, we’re in the middle of flu season. A morning ritual with a hot cup of nettle tea could do me good, I thought.
One month of nettle tea: the results
Stinging nettle may be trending on TikTok right now, but knowledge of its benefits is far from new. In naturopathy, the wild herb has long been used as a remedy for urinary tract infections, some rheumatic diseases, high blood pressure, and more. According to a review published in the National Library of Medicine, “Nettle has been used as a natural remedy for its healing properties for over 2000 years.… Some of its qualities include anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, immunological stimulatory, anti-infectious, hypotensive, anti-ulcer, and cardiovascular disease prevention.”
Now, on social media, some influencers are claiming that stinging nettle has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help with a bloated belly. But for me, trying stinging nettle was not about losing weight. I wanted to see if it could help build a healthy metabolism and all that entails: less water retention, fewer headaches, less fatigue. Those are all symptoms of a slow metabolism, which I struggle with due to my thyroid condition.
I think it’s even better than the Sleepy Girl Mocktail.
According to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, stinging nettle is available in many forms: dried leaf, extract, capsules, tablets, root tincture, juice, tea, and even as an ointment. For my self-test, I resolved to drink a cup of nettle tea every morning.
I have to say, the first few mornings were tough. Not because of the tea’s bitter taste, which I didn’t mind, but because it meant I had to say goodbye to my morning coffee as a result. My inner Lorelai Gilmore had to go into withdrawal, but I had made up my mind to give it a real shot.
At first, I didn’t notice any effects. After a week of this, I started to become annoyed that I had to give up my beloved morning coffee with no results. I did some more research on nettle tea and found that it actually doesn’t need to be taken in the morning like many other nutritional supplements. In fact, nettle is said to have a calming effect, which is why it’s great to take in the evening. And, according to my research, up to three cups a day is safe.
So, I started drinking a small pot of two cups in the evening instead of my one cup in the morning. Not only did this make my morning routine easier, but I finally began to see the effects. After a few days with my new evening routine, I noticed that my face was significantly less puffy in the morning than before.
I feel so full, energetic, and clear-minded.
At the end of the second week, I realized that I’d gone 14 days without a migraine (which was rare for me). Was nettle tea the miracle cure I’d been waiting for? In week three, I noticed that other parts of my body were less tense. I also felt less bloated. I was also told several times that my skin looked “so radiant,” a compliment I rarely received in the past.
In week four, however, I had a migraine after an evening out with lots of alcohol and bright lights. Well, nettle tea probably can’t fight everything. And in retrospect, during my nettle-tea experiment I was eating less salt in general, going to bed earlier, and exercising more. It’s like I subconsciously wanted the experiment to succeed. So, I can’t say exactly how much my increased well-being was due to the nettle tea. Either way, I think I’ll incorporate it into my diet more. Who knows, maybe nettle with lots of lemon and mint will taste good as an iced tea in the summer?
Nettle as a medicinal plant—the benefits and the risks
Thinking about adding stinging nettle 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 is anti-inflammatory.
- Nettle has been found to lower blood pressure in some studies.
- Nettle is said to have an analgesic effect, which is said to help with joint diseases such as rheumatism or osteoarthritis.
According to the experts at Mount Sinai Hospital, “Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash. Stinging nettle should never be applied to an open wound.”
- Nettle has a dehydrating effect, so you should make sure you drink enough fluids when taking nettle capsules or after drinking 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 not be exceeded in order to avoid stomach and intestinal complaints like nausea and diarrhea. If drinking nettle tea, the recommendation is three cups per day; for capsules, stick to the dose stated on the pack—it’s usually one to two capsules a day—and talk to your doctor to confirm.
- As with anything, always consult your doctor if you have a health condition or persistent symptoms that are bothering you.
